Agenda item

This report provides the Committee with an update on the Council’s public toilet provision.

The Committee were joined by Martin Fearon Managing Director from Healthmatic who are contracted by the Council for the management of its non-park toilets.

Officers outlined that the Council’s current public toilet provision. It was confirmed that the Council has the powers to provide toilet provision in the city but there was no duty to provide this provision. Officers outlined investments at places such as Coppergate and Silver Street that had taken place in recent years and work underway at Acomb Front Street, it was noted that the Council was awaiting round 3 of Changing Places funding which could be bid for to further improve provision.

The Committee enquired with Martin Fearon and Officers who the contract with Healthmatic had performed for both the Council and Healthmatic. Martin Fearon noted from Healthmatic’s perspective the contract had performed well with its aim to maintain the same level of provision as well as protecting the Council from rising costs. Offices agreed that the contract had performed well. They noted that the challenge was always to get the balance right between provision and quality.

Members discussed the Council’s stakeholder group on public toilets. The Executive Member for Environment and Climate Emergency confirmed that the stakeholder group was a better way to report issues with provision which was outside of the Healthmatic contract such as event provision. Members discussed the Take a Seat Campaign and considered how the Council could promote the campaign and publicly acknowledge businesses currently signed up.

Members enquired about the cost of the Healthmatic contract and how much was generated through charging to use public provision. Martin Fearon confirmed that the contract was £79,000 and they made about £75,000 from charging at public toilets. He confirmed that the money generated from charging did not cover the cost of maintaining provision. The committee discussed what improvements were possible at public provision. It was confirmed that there was a lot of options if funding was available. It was noted that small cosmetic changes could have low-cost options, however, substantial layout changes which upgraded things such as toilets and sinks could be quite expensive. It was also noted that damage to provision was not uncommon, and provision needed to be considered with this in mind.

Late night and nighttime provision were discussed, it was confirmed that while possible to open for longer hours there was several challenges. It was noted that both the Police and the Council’s Community Safety team had safety concerns related to late openings. There was also an increased cost to maintaining a 24-hour provision in both operating costs and increased maintenance costs due to increased levels of expected vandalism. Martin Fearon noted that there was a growing trend across the country to reduce opening hours which had seen a reduction in recorded vandalism.

The Committee also discussed provision in the city for disabled residents and visitors. Members highlighted that the accessible toilets at the Guildhall were not open to individuals not visiting the Guildhall, they noted that the Guildhall was not managed by the Council but requested that the Council seek a way with the University of York for this provision to be made available. Members also enquired about whether the Council had representation on the Stakeholder Group from people with medical conditions such as crohn's disease to ensure provision was meeting people’s needs. The Committee also raised some concerns relating to access to public provision for the visually impaired and officers confirmed that they would review how the visually impaired could access accessible toilet provision in the city.

Resolved:

                         i.         That the Committee supports the Council bidding for round 3 of Changing Places funding when funding becomes available to fund improvements to public toilet provision;

                        ii.         That the Executive Member for Environment and Climate Emergency explore how to improve access to public toilets for the visually impaired;

                      iii.         That the Council ensure that the stakeholder Group on Public Toilets include representation from individuals with health conditions such as Crohn's disease.

Reason:     To ensure the city has sufficient public toilet provision.