Agenda item

PUBLIC TOILETS

Meeting of Cabinet, Tuesday, 28th November, 2017 5.30 pm (Item CAB89)

Decision:

RESOLVED: 1) That the provision toilets be maintained as listed in Section 2.2 of the report.

2) That 80% of the cost of the following toilets be charged as a Special Expenses charge:

· Walks Management Building

· Walks Broadwalk

· Memorial Playing Fields, Downham Market

· Heacham village

3) That £40,000 in capital funding be allocated to carry out a refurbishment of the Wales Court toilets, Downham Market subject to the outcome of discussions with Downham Market Town Council.

4) That following discussions with the Downham Market Town Council on the transfer to the ownership of the Wales Court toilets to Downham Market Town Council. Authority be granted to the Cabinet Member in consultation with the Executive Director – Commercial Services to transfer ownership if appropriate.

5) That delegated authority be given to the Executive Director Commercial Services in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Community to arrange for demolition or alternative use of the toilets at Gaywood and Howdale, Downham Market.

6) That delegated authority be granted to the Executive Director Commercial Services in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Community to investigate options for Old Hunstanton and Holme-next-the-Sea.

Reason for Decision

To maintain an adequate supply of public conveniences and contribute towards the Council’s budget targets.

Minutes:

The Public Open Space Manager presented a report which considered proposals to amend the current funding of public toilets and potential for closures. The context was to enable Cabinet to consider the implications prior to the budget being approved.

The Environment and Community Panel and King’s Lynn Area Consultative Committee (KLACC) had considered the proposals and made suggested recommendations. Consultation had also taken place with relevant Parish Councils.

The Council currently provided 22 public conveniences in the Borough at an annual cost of £374,000.

The report proposed that of the existing 22 public conveniences:

· 13 remain open as per current arrangements including the full reopening of the Ferry Street toilets as listed in section 2.2 of the report.

· 4 be charged to Special Expenses including 2 in The Walks, Memorial Playing Field, Downham Market and Heacham village on the basis of 80% locally and 20% from general rates.

· 1 at Wales Court handed over to Downham Town Council after refurbishment costing £40,000.

· 2 at Gaywood and Howdale, Downham Market be closed pending demolition or alternative use of the sites.

· 2 at Old Hunstanton and Holme-next-the-Sea subject to further investigation.

Under Standing Order 34, Councillor G Middleton, on behalf of the King’s Lynn Area Committee (KLACC) addressed the Cabinet in support of the recommendation relating to the Gaywood toilets, which the Committee had considered were not up to the standard that should be expected to protect public health. He also drew attention to the recommendation from the Committee that the Walks toilets should not be funded 100% from Special Expenses as they were used by people outside of the town particularly for events in the park.

Under Standing Order 34 Councillor J Collop addressed the Cabinet and stated that contrary to the recommendation from KLACC, the Labour Group wanted to keep the Gaywood toilets open. He stated that he did not consider it acceptable that the toilet facilities of private businesses should be used.

Under Standing Order 34, Councillor S Collop addressed the Cabinet commenting that the library had not been consulted on the closure of the Gaywood toilets and the additional traffic caused for their toilets. She reported that the staff at the library had suggested that any new block could be built onto the library.

Under Standing Order 34, Councillor T Parish addressed the Cabinet stating that there had been some confusion in Heacham regarding the situation for their toilets. He asked if the change to 80/20 funding would mean that the parish had to raise their precept.

It was confirmed that the amount would feature on the Council Tax bill as a Special Expense, not requiring it to be raised through the precept.

Under Standing order 34, Councillor D Pope asked Cabinet whether the ownership of the Wales Court Downham Market toilets would be handed to the Town Council. He also questioned the level of estimate for their refurbishment.

It was confirmed that the ownership would be transferred to the Town Council and explained that the toilet block would have to be completely stripped and refurbished as the current facilities were obsolete and unusable. The figure of £40,000 was an estimate, but the materials alone would be of considerable cost.

Councillor Long drew attention to a meeting he had held with Downham Town Council where the Wales Court toilets were discussed. They had indicated that they had not yet taken a decision to transfer the toilets to themselves. Cabinet expressed concern that re-furbishment would take place without the handover, therefore it agreed to include the refurbishment finances in the recommendation for the budget subject to further discussions with the Town Council, and to delegate the final decision on any transfer to the Cabinet Member in consultation with officers.

The points raised by KLACC and Environment and Community Committee were taken into account particularly regarding the Gaywood toilets and it was considered that the health and safety of all residents had to be taken into account.