Agenda item

Public Toilets Strategy

To receive and consider the report of the Portfolio Holder for Economy and Planning together with associated documents used as part of the consultation exercise which ends on 22nd April, 2019.

Minutes:

The Committee received the report of the Portfolio Holder for Economy and Planning together with associated documents used as part of the consultation exercise which ended on 22 April 2019.

 

Under the Public Health Wales Act 2017 authorities have to prepare a strategy by May 2019. The focus for the Council has been what toilets are operated / used to be operated by the Council. A request was also made as to what other toilets could be used as public toilets and 96 were identified, but there was not much information on each facility. A survey was also issued to local Members which assisted the process. The data included in the report is only part of the data that was submitted to Welsh Government. Welsh Government’s aim is to collate the information across Wales and to publish it on the “Lle” website. An app is to be developed for smartphones as well.

 

The Committee was advised that the Council had no resource for this work initially. Later Welsh Government did provide some funding. However the Council does not have the resource to keep this data up to date. The Council is required to monitor and review the data in time.

 

The findings of the review undertaken are:

·         All locations generally well covered;

·         There are gaps in more remote / rural areas;

·         Some transport routes are lacking provision;

·         There is no provision in railway stations / halts;

·         There are only 2 adult changing facilities at present. Welshpool Town Council are looking to provide this facility on the Berriew Street Car Park and there will be a facility at Y Gaer in Brecon;

·         More equality of provision is required for baby changing facilities.

 

The issue for the Council is how to do something about these issues without any additional resource. Welsh Government have made it clear that there is no funding available for the direct provision of toilets.

 

The actions arising from the review were included in the draft strategy issued for consultation. Some of the proposed actions included:

·         Use of blue toilet stickers by local businesses to indicate where toilets could be used by the public;

·         Adult and children changing places – look to implement such facilities when the Council is redeveloping its own buildings, as well as working with Town and Community councils and partners;

·         Business Improvement Districts – seek an increase in toilet provision within these areas;

·         Making facilities available to the public when buildings are leased by the Council;

·         Use of the Planning system;

·         Section 106 agreements;

·         Use of regulation;

·         Events – issue of guidance to organisers;

·         Transport Hubs – no railway stations have toilet facilities but toilets are available on trains. The Council needs to make sure that toilets are kept open on the main transport network;

·         Cleanliness of facilities – this is not something that the Council can control;

·         Cost – people might not have the specific coins required for set charges but would be willing to make a donation;

 

The actions are to be reviewed by the Council every 2 years.

 

Question – How easy is it for the public to find toilets? Are there signposts, not everyone has a smartphone to access the app, there is also a lack of wifi in areas. Signposting is something Powys can do something about. Does the app also show if there is a cost to use the toilet or not? Welsh Government have asked for this information, will they ask for it again?

Response – The need for increased signage can be included or expanded in the strategy and the location of toilets can be included on information such as bus timetables. The data held by welsh Government does include information about charges. Welsh Government are likely to ask for this data again and the Council has to review the strategy again in 2 years. How the Council will gather the information without the resource to do so will be an issue. With regard to signage, if the Council is leasing a property, a checklist could be provided which includes signage to the facilities.

 

The Committee noted that changing facilities were important and that the National Trust were looking to implement such a facility at Storey Arms.

 

Question – Why was this information not held by tourism services? Antur Gwy – is this an open facility? Are sports centres and government buildings included and listed?

Response – No idea why this information was not available by tourism service

 

The Committee noted the suggestion that if Welsh Government believed that the toilets strategy was a priority then it should provide additional funding to Councils.

 

Question – Llanfair Caereinion is on the trunk road. Grants were provided to Town and Community Councils to keep toilets open on the trunk road. Will these grants continue?

Response – The grant comes in via the transport grant to the Council annually. It was suggested that the Portfolio Holder for Highways be asked to write to Welsh Government seeking assurances about the continuation of the grant in future. It was suggested that this position was unlikely to change but it needed to be confirmed.

 

Question – The Council provided a grant for 5 years to Town and Community Councils to keep toilets open. The likelihood was that if the grant ceased then toilets would be closed. Has the Council done anything to review the toilets currently closed which are still in the Council’s ownership?

Response – 5 conveniences were closed, 56 transferred (49 to Town and Community Councils). Some facilities which have been closed are being used for other purposes and the Strategic Asset Board are looking at current vacant properties.

 

Question – Is the issue of toilets potentially being closed if grants cease included on a risk register? If some individuals are unlikely to go out if they are elderly or infirm due to a lack of toilets, is there a cost for social inclusion / care due to isolation?

Response – the older persons forum was engaged in the consultation, but it was uncertain if officers have spoken to the service.

 

It was suggested that this is a preventative service and that this issue should be referred to Adult Services and the Portfolio Holder for Adults. There is also a need to ensure that facilities are available for transgender residents. The need for facilities for tourists and commuters was highlighted.

 

Outcomes:

·      That to enable the Council to update the strategy in two years time that adequate resources be identified;

·      That the strategy include the need for signage / signposting of toilet facilities open to the public;

·      That the Portfolio Holder for Highways be asked to write to Welsh Government to seek assurances regarding the continuation of the grant to Town and Community Councils for the provision of toilets on the trunk road, currently within the transport grant;

·      That the Highways Service include as a risk on its Service risk register, the possible closure of public toilets operated by Town and Community Councils should the grant from the Council be withdrawn;

·      That the issue of social isolation for the elderly / inform due to a lack of public toilets be raised as a concern with the Portfolio Holder for Adults and Adult services.

 

Supporting documents: