Agenda item - Public Conveniences

Report of the Executive Director for Economy, Environment & Culture

RESOLVED: That the Committee agreed to continue charging 30p at the  West Pier Arches public convenience..

38.1                  The Committee considered the report of the Executive Director for Economy, Environment & Culture which sought approval to introduce charging within 11 of the 37 public conveniences with the city and to continue with the charge at the West Pier Arches public conveniences.

38.2                  Councillor Peltzer Dunn said that he was opposed to the recommendations. The city was a special place which attracted 11 million visitors last year. The public conveniences identified as being suitable for charging were predominantly in the areas most visited by the tourists, and making them pay to use the toilet was cheapening the city. As well as visitors there were many residents who used the public toilets, and if they did not have the money they may use bushes etc, which would lead to public health issues and would impact on the reputation of the city. Negative views on the city would have an impact on the revenue visitors brought into the city. For the benefit of residents and the city’s standing he asked that the Council did not charge the public to use the toilet.

38.3                  Councillor Janio said that said the charging at the West Pier public convenience started in 2014, and he was content for that to continue. He noted that a contract was awarded to Healthmatic in May 2017, and part of that contract was that they would commit to a capital investment of £602,000 and asked if the possibility of charging for some public conveniences was known then. The Executive Director for Economy, Environment & Culture confirmed it was known to the bidders. Councillor Janio asked why the committee were therefore being asked to agree the charges if it had been in the original bid, and suggested it should have come to committee when the contracts were awarded.

38.4                  Councillor Mitchell said it had always been clear from the beginning, and taking into account the scrutiny report on public toilet provision, that when the new contract came up for procurement that the Council would seek to obtain a capital sum as part of that contract to enter into a refurbishment agreement along with a maintenance and cleaning agreement. This report was clarifying the exact public toilets we would charge for. Tourists wanted to be able to use modern and clean toilets, and the money raised would allow the Council to refurbish other public conveniences.

38.5                  Councillor Mac Cafferty noted the Equality Impact Assessment in the report, and asked if there had been discussions with groups such as the Older People’s Council, or those with medical conditions such as Crohns etc. The Executive Director for Economy, Environment & Culture said that ensuring toilets were accessible for all people was essential. The Council were trying to keep all 37 toilets open, but they did need significant investment and the revenue generated would go towards the repairs.

38.6                  The Executive Director for Economy, Environment & Culture said that a report went to the Policy Resources & Growth Committee in October 2016 seeking approval for the procurement process for a new contract for the management of the city’s toilets. In the last two budget reports there was reference to the potential for charging. This was coming back to committee to seek approval to spending the investment, how that investment would be prioritised and which toilets there would be a charge to use.

38.7                  Councillor Janio said that the city should have good toilets and he wasn’t opposed to charging, but wanted to make sure that the right process had been followed.

38.8                  Councillor Wealls asked if there were a charge whether there would be contactless payment, and it was confirmed that was being looked at.

38.9                  Councillor Daniels said that no one wanted to charge, but it was important to raise money to pay for the refurbishments and ensure that all public toilets were of a good standard.

38.10                Councillor Bell said that £550k had already been allocated from the budget and suggested that that be used now to start the refurbishments, and a further report come back to this Committee in October.

38.11                The Chair said that recommendations 2.1 (1) - 2.1 (5) would be considered separately. Recommendation 2.1 (1) was agreed, recommendation 2.1 (2) was not agreed. The Chair said that as recommendation 2.1 (2) had not been agreed that the remaining recommendations could not be considered as they were dependent on recommendation 2.1 (2). Recommendations 2.1 (3) – 2.1 (5) were withdrawn.

38.12                RESOLVED: That the Committee agreed to continue charging 30p at the West Pier Arches public convenience..