Issue - meetings

Report of the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment

Cabinet Member:     Councillor Lelliott (in advisory role)

Commissioner:         Kenny

Recommendations:

1.     That a Public Toilet Facility in All Saints Square continues to be provided by the Council.

2.     That an increase to the entrance charge of 10p (raising the charge up to 30p) for adults only be approved.

3.     That the opening times of the facility be reduced by 2 hours per day, from 08:30-17:00 to 09:30-16:00.

Consideration was given to a report which presented the findings of the consultation undertaken on alternative options with users and businesses to assess their feasibility and made recommendations regarding the future provision of the facility and ability to achieve the required savings.

The public toilets in All Saints Square were managed by the Council and provided a service for the general public visiting the Town Centre.

The cost of the facility was not covered by the income generated by the entrance charges i.e. in recent years employee costs had increased whilst income has decreased.  The budget setting report approved by the Council on 2nd March, 2016, agreed a saving of £6,000 which was to be achieved by the installation of a turn-style system creating an unattended facility. This was no longer a feasible option following a full surveyor’s investigation which identified that it would not allow accompanied/assisted adult access to the toilets or access for wheelchairs and some child carriers. In addition, an initial consultation with Town Centre businesses identified that there were significant concerns regarding safety and security if the facility became unattended.

In Rotherham there were limited opportunities for users to find alternative facilities in the vicinity of All Saints’ Square particularly given the independent businesses had limited toilet provision and it would be unrealistic to ask them to open their facilities to non-customers as per Community Toilet Schemes introduced elsewhere.

Given the sensitivities of the subject it was felt that a full consultation process with existing users of the facility and town centre businesses was required.  The consultation showed that public toilets were of importance to all groups and a significant proportion were dissatisfied with a perceived under-provision of facilities. Users were largely supportive of an increase in charging, particularly given that cleanliness, safety and security were their main priorities when choosing public toilets. Businesses were not supportive of increasing charges.

The toilets were clearly valued by vulnerable groups including the elderly, those with mobility issues and those with children and Members suggested that appropriate signage be on display indicating the locality and availability of other provision.

Commissioner Kenny agreed:-

1.          That a Public Toilet Facility in All Saints Square continue to be provided by the Council.

2.          That an increase to the entrance charge of 10p (raising the charge up to 30p) for adults only be approved.

3.          That the opening times of the facility be reduced by 2 hours per day, from 08:30-17:00 to 09:30-16:00.