Issue - meetings

That Scrutiny note the future delivery option for each of the Public Convenience Facilities shown in Appendix 1 and that the following comments be recorded:

• That the possible impacts on tourism be taken into account, particularly in Caerwys and Cilcain.
• The need for clear signage.
• That facilities maintained by the Council are DDA compliant and have baby change facilities.
• That local members had not been consulted in the way that they would have liked during the course of this review and that proper consultation be undertaken in the future.
• That the Committee be informed of discussions between the Council and the local Members for Cilcain and Caerwys, including the Town & Community Councils.

The Head of Streetscene introduced the report on the revised delivery arrangements for the Council’s Public Conveniences.  He explained that it was not a statutory requirement for the council to provide public conveniences and that some stand alone facilities were no longer fit for purpose. The Council wished to look at a model based on the revision of existing council facilities and the use of private facilities.  Morrisons Supermarkets in Saltney received £500 per year from the Welsh Government to allow the public to use their toilets.  This development had enabled the Council to close the stand alone Council owned facility in the town that was no longer fit for purpose.

            The Head of Streetscene said that the council would speak to Town and Community Councils to see if they would be prepared to take over the management of public conveniences. He added that a new signage scheme for public conveniences would be implemented so that the public would be aware of any new arrangements.  Details of the revised provision were outlined in Appendix 1 to the report. 

            Councillor P. Shotton thanked the Head of Streetscene for a clear report.  He asked about the numbers of local businesses that had already come forward regarding the £500 grant.  The Head of Streetscene said that there had been a number of enquires from businesses, although no grants had been allocated as yet.

            Councillor N.M. Matthews said that she had visited all of the Council owned/subsidised facilities over the previous summer and found all but two to be in good order.  She voiced concerns about the proposed closure of facilities at Cilcain and Caerwys and the effect on tourism and asked what alternatives would be put in place in those areas.  The Head of Streetscene said that the Council would approach the Community Councils in those areas to offer support and to see if there were any private businesses willing to participate in the grant scheme.

            Councillor D. Evans asked if income from car parking could be used to provide new public conveniences.  The Cabinet Member for Environment said that the report had already been to Cabinet and that it was not the Council’s intention to look at building new toilets.  In the case of Shotton, Wetherspoons could offer its facilities to the public.  Councillor Evans asked how visitors to the area would be made aware of facilities on the main coast road.  The Cabinet Member for Environment said that new signage would be implemented.

            Councillor C. A. Thomas asked if all the reviewed facilities had been checked for disabled access and baby change facilities and if local members had been consulted.  The Cilcain Community Council had received a letter from the Council concerning the management of the public convenience but the figures quoted in the letter differed to those in the report.  She voiced her concern at the potential loss of a facility at Cilcain which was a tourist hub in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.  The Head of Streetscene in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 61