Issue - meetings

This report informs the Executive Member as to the progress to date on the complete review of public toilet provision for York and the proposed next steps.  The report is an update on the position reported on 15^th October 2008 and considers the councils charging policy, future repairs and maintenance needs, the Changing Places Strategy and the Community Toilet Scheme.

Decision of the Executive Member

RESOLVED:

1.      That the ExecutiveMember notes the limitations in the use of both the hydraulic urinals and the mobile units and agrees the recommendation that work on these solutions be suspended.

·        Reason: To allow resources to be focused of the Community Toilet Scheme.

2.      That the Executive Member agrees to the recommendation that a dedicated page on the council’s website be established for the public to report problems with specific facilities.

·        Reason: To allow complaints to be monitored by site and use the data in support of decisions on any refurbishment programme.

3.      The Executive Member notes the work needed on signage and believes that the national community toilet signage be adopted, and that a further report on this be brought back to the Executive Member in November 2009.

·        Reason: To ensure all parties have agreed with the types and locations of signs and how this supports the Community Toilet Scheme.

4.      The Executive Member agrees to further work being carried out to recruit businesses to the Community Toilet Scheme within any limitations identified with regard to signage and that details of the options be brought back to the Executive Member in November 2009.

·        Reason:  To be able to approach businesses in the City following the agreement on the types and locations of signage.

5.      The Executive Member agrees to the continuation of the current charging arrangements at the Coppergate facility and agrees to the recommendation that the charging at this facility is suspended with the attendant being replaced by scheduled cleans, and that this be monitored.

·        Reason: To ensure the council meets its obligations under discrimination legislation.

6.      That the Executive Member considers the current arrangements for the charging for children and the age at which a free service is offered and agrees with the recommendation that all children under 12 and accompanied are free.

·        Reason: To establish a policy on the charging of children at facilities in the City.

7.      That ways should be considered to improve facilities in house and adding them to the capital programme and that a further report on a partnership working with the private sector be prepared to make capital available immediately.  This will require a charge to be made at all the facilities except disabled following redevelopment.

·        Reason:  To improve the facilities on offer in the City.

8.      That consultation with the Older People’s Assembly be undertaken with regard to this review.

·        Reason: To ensure that the views of older people in York are taken into consideration in this review.

9.      That concerns about the use of the Radar Keys by people with disabilities be investigated and the options with the Radar Key organisation. That options with regard to the response to the Pull Chord emergency facility be investigated with a report back on both to the Executive Member in November 2009.

·        Reason: To improve toilet facilities for people with disabilities.

The Executive Member considered a report, which informed her as to the progress on the complete review of public toilet provision for York and the proposed next steps. The report was an update on the position reported on 15 October 2008 and considered the Council’s charging policy, future repairs and maintenance needs, the Changing Places Strategy and the Community Toilet Scheme.

The Executive Member asked for the officer update before hearing from the three Councillors who had requested to speak on this agenda item.

The Assistant Director, Environmental Services, Neighbourhood Services presented the report and stated that the review had begun mid-2008 and that the criteria worked within had included:

1. General conditions survey of in-house facilities, the majority being fairly new build with minor improvements.
2. The annual level of usage with reference to paragraph 9 of the report.
3. A potential public toilet scheme with reference to paragraphs 11 and 12 of the report.

It was noted by the Assistant Director that a Community Toilet Scheme was being supported with a move to a national signage system.  Options for urinals and mobile units had been explored in detail but had not been felt appropriate for York. With regard to charging regimes it had been felt important to be consistent with the Equalities Act.

The Assistant Director spoke of the main Changing Place facility at Silver Street and other Changing Place facilities including Acomb Explore, Walmgate and that a further facility at Burton Stone Lane would be opened shortly. It was stated that there were plans also to incorporate one at the Central Library, two at Oaklands and changing facilities at the Monks Cross and the Designer Outlet shopping complexes. It was also stated that the Council had worked with three independent organisations to assess facilities, including ENCAMS (Tidy Britain Group), a private sector group, and York Access Group, who had all submitted reports and their comments had been incorporated in the review. The officer confirmed that an electronic copy of the report would be made available on the Internet and that a hard copy was available to read with the Assistant Director.

Councillor King, who had registered to speak on this agenda item, was then invited to speak by the Executive Member. Councillor King declared a personal non-prejudicial interest in this agenda item, as an Honorary Member of the York Access Group. He commented that he was concerned about disabled access to toilets and health and safety issues, and felt that these had not been addressed in the report. His particular concerns were with regard to the state of the toilet facilities at Union Terrace in Acomb, where needles used by drug users had been found together with blood on the walls and toilet furniture. He showed a photograph to the Executive Member and officers with regard to this. Councillor King highlighted that health and safely issues were not only concerns for people with disabilities, but also for cleaning staff.  He also noted that York was a tourist destination city and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6