Agenda item

1.    That a strategy and approach for improving and managing public toilets in the district be agreed as set out in Appendix 1 of report CAB3411 and that authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Climate Emergency and Head of Programme to make any non-material amendments as required.

2.    That a detailed action plan to fully deliver the strategy will be brought forward following further discussion and data gathering.

3.    (a)  that a supplementary capital estimate of £10,000, funded by the car parks reserve be approved, increasing the budget allocated in CAB3384 Parking and Access Improvement Programme from £200,000 to £210,000;

(b)  capital expenditure of £210,000 be approved to improve toilets in Chesil and Worthy Lane car parks, and St Catherine’s and South Winchester park and ride car parks. 

4.    That, subject to Cabinet approval of CIL funding in October (CAB3426):

(a)  a capital budget of £360,000 be approved; and

(b)  capital expenditure of £210,000 of CIL funds for the works outlined in paragraphs 2.5 and 11.4.7 of the report be approved.

5.    That the refurbishment of public conveniences in Wickham, Bishops Waltham, New Alresford and Denmead will be subject to outcome of further discussions with Town and Parish Councils.

6.    That additional cleaning will be undertaken at the most heavily used public toilets utilising some of the reserve funding which was put aside for Pride in Place enhancements (as set out in paragraph 11.4.6 of the report).

Councillor Learney introduced the report and outlined the key elements together with work and consultation undertaken to date in the development of the strategy. 

Ian Tait spoke during public participation as summarised briefly below.

He endorsed the work of the British Toilet Association and supported the proposed capital programme outlined in the report.  He highlighted the importance of ongoing maintenance as an area where there had been failures previously.  He also asked when the water fountain outside the Market Lane toilets would be fixed.

Councillor Learney and Councillor Tod responded to the points raised by Mr Tait, including confirming that there would be an improved ongoing maintenance programme.

At the invitation of the Leader, Councillors Lee and Bolton addressed Cabinet as summarised briefly below.

Councillor Lee

He suggested that the wording of the strategy be strengthened to seek to achieve as close as possible to carbon net zero.  He also asked whether the possibility of subscribing to the “Toilet Twinning” initiative had been considered.

Councillor Bolton

He highlighted the extensive cost of the proposed renovations and queried why there was significant higher expenditure for within Winchester city centre as opposed to the market towns.  He suggested that the current poor quality of the maintenance and cleaning of toilets warranted bringing forward a new maintenance contract as soon as possible.

Councillor Learney and the Strategic Director responded to the comments made, including explaining that the proposed expenditure corresponded to the different levels of usage of the different toilet facilities.

Councillor Learney and the Strategic Director also responded to questions from Cabinet Members, including suggestions for future development of the strategy.

Cabinet agreed to the following for the reasons set out in the report and outlined above.

RESOLVED:

1.         That a strategy and approach for improving and managing public toilets in the district be agreed as set out in Appendix 1 of the report and that authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Climate Emergency and Head of Programme to make any non-material amendments as required.

2.         That a detailed action plan to fully deliver the strategy will be brought forward following further discussion and data gathering.

3.         (a)  that a supplementary capital estimate of £10,000, funded by the car parks reserve be approved, increasing the budget allocated in CAB3384 Parking and Access Improvement Programme from £200,000 to £210,000;

(b)  capital expenditure of £210,000 be approved to improve toilets in Chesil and Worthy Lane car parks, and St Catherine’s and South Winchester park and ride car parks. 

4.         That, subject to Cabinet approval of CIL funding in October (CAB3426):

(a)         a capital budget of £360,000 be approved; and

(b)         capital expenditure of £210,000 of CIL funds for the works outlined in paragraphs 2.5 and 11.4.7 of the report be approved.

5.         That the refurbishment of public conveniences in Wickham, Bishops Waltham, New Alresford and Denmead will be subject to outcome of further discussions with Town and Parish Councils.

6.         That additional cleaning will be undertaken at the most heavily used public toilets utilising some of the reserve funding which was put aside for Pride in Place enhancements (as set out in paragraph 11.4.6 of the report).