Issue - meetings

To seek approval to dispose of public conveniences.

It was proposed by Councillor Keeling and seconded by Councillor Williams, and

RESOLVED

The Council to:

1.     Ensure the continued provision of public conveniences until April 2027.

2.     With immediate effect start consultation with all Towns/Parishes to transfer toilets by April 2027 to enable continued provision of facilities and avoid cessation of services. The Head of Assets in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Assets and Environmental Services to transfer facilities as agreed with town and parish councils.

3.     Where towns and parishes are unable to fund /resource provision of public conveniences the Head of Assets will consult with other interested parties to transfer facilities on the proviso that they continue to be provided as public conveniences for the foreseeable future.

4.     Ensure resources are devoted to achieving agreement with Towns/Parishes at the earliest opportunity to enable precepts to be increased if necessary.

In accordance with section 4.13.5 of the Constitution (Recorded Vote), the Members voting for, against or abstaining from voting is as follows:

Those voting FOR: Councillors Bullivant, Buscombe, Cox, Farrand-Rogers, Foden, Goodman-Bradbury, Hall, Hayes, Hook, Jackman, James, Keeling, Major, Morgan, Nutley, Nuttall, Palethorpe, C Parker, Parrott, Peart, Rollason, Smith, Swain, G Taylor, Thorne, Williams and Wrigley.

Those voting AGAINST: Councillors Mullone and P Parker.

ABSTENTIONS: Councillors Atkins, Clarance, Daws, Gearon, Horner, MacGregor, Rogers, Ryan, Steemson, J Taylor and Webster.

The Council considered the report on the provision of public conveniences across the District. The report noted that public conveniences are a discretionary service provided by some local authorities. At the time of the report, the Council provided 22 public conveniences, and a number of Town and Parish Councils provided their own.

The Council’s Modern 25 Programme identified that the Council’s spend on public conveniences was greater than comparable authorities and recommended a review of provision to ascertain if current levels are providing best value and a target ongoing annual saving of £250,000 from the service.  

The report noted that the Council on Tuesday 29^th October 2024 (Minute 71) gave approval for a public consultation to review all potential options for the provision of public toilets. The public consultation took place from 12^th November to 23^rd December 2024, where 5,577 responses were received. Summaries of the responses were included within the appendices in the agenda and reports pack.

The report highlighted a facility review of the 22 sites based on a number of criterion (usage, costs and strategic importance) and the facilities were then scored based on this criterion.

An All-Member Briefing was held on Wednesday 16^th July 2025 in advance of the meeting, and the presentation slides were included within the agenda and reports pack.

The Leader spoke at the start of the debate on the Council’s financial position, the Modern 25 programme, discussions with Town and Parish Councils, the public consultation and thanked those who signed petitions in advance of the meeting.

It was proposed by the Leader and seconded by Councillor Williams that the Council:

1.     Ensure the continued provision of public conveniences until April 2027.

2.     With immediate effect start consultation with the ten Towns/Parishes to transfer toilets by April 2027 to enable continued provision of facilities and avoid cessation of services. The Head of Assets in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Assets and Environmental Services to transfer facilities as agreed with town and parish councils.

3.     Where towns and parishes are unable to fund /resource provision of public conveniences the Head of Assets will consult with other interested parties to transfer facilities on the proviso that they continue to be provided as public conveniences for the foreseeable future.

4.     Ensure resources are devoted to achieving agreement with Towns/Parishes at the earliest opportunity to enable precepts to be increased if necessary.

The Leader proposed a recorded vote on the substantive motion, and this was duly supported by more than five Members of the Council.

As part of the debate, Councillors raised the following points for and against the substantive motion:

·       The negatively impacted groups as highlighted in the Equality Impact Assessment, specifically the Gypsy and Traveller communities, Women and Girls, the Elderly and Disabled residents.

·       The impact on Town and Parish Council precepts to cover the additional funding needed to provide public conveniences.

·       The impact of the proposals on rural communities. 

·       Other opportunities to generate revenue from other Council properties and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 125