Issue - meetings

To present an update on the Public Toilets Service and to receive comments and feedback on the contents.

(i)      To accept the report, noting the observations made during the discussion;

(ii)    To receive an update including when timely an assessment of the possible options for the door payment arrangements.

The report was presented by the Cabinet Member for Highways, Engineering and YGC, Head of Highways, Engineering and YGC and the Senior Engineer. Reference was made to the following main points: 

It was reported that there were 61 public toilets located across the county. It was recognised that the contribution of Town and Community Councils was crucial in keeping them open. It was added that there were 29 public toilets managed by communities, increasing the total number available to residents to 90 public toilets.

It was confirmed that a new Public Toilets Strategy would be introduced by November 2024 and therefore the Department was re-examining the need to charge a fee to use the public toilets. It was explained that there was a fee of 20 pence to use specific public toilets in Caernarfon, Dolgellau, Porthmadog and Pwllheli.

A member presented an analysis and information about public toilets and community toilets in the areas of Arfon, Dwyfor and Meirionnydd. The member was of the view that fees should not be charged until it was possible to pay by a contactless method. A question was asked about how many businesses were on the waiting list for the Community Grant Scheme. It was noted that improvements in the public toilets provision would be welcomed.

In response to the member’s observations, the Head of Highways, Engineering and YGC noted his appreciation of the analysis of the information presented: He explained that he would fully respond to the member following the receipt of the information via e-mail. He noted that there was a waiting list for the Community Grant Scheme. He explained that the funding was received annually from the Welsh Government, it did not increase, and therefore this limited the number that could participate in the scheme.

Concerns were shared about the system of charging a fee for using public toilets. It was noted that if the fee was currently 20 pence it would have to be increased to 50 pence as it was a single coin payment. In response to the observations, the Head of Highways, Engineering and YGC noted that investigations were being undertaken to introducing machines that would accept card payments (in addition to the existing cash payment machines). This would reduce the frequency of cash collections by officers and would assist with the process of considering future fees. It was also reported that consideration was being given to whether any increase was necessary in the fees, making the service free, and installing a contributions box instead of a fee.

It was highlighted that the service was considering the three following options for the future, in conjunction with the consideration of charging a fee for the use of public toilets:

1.    Abolish the charging provision altogether from the existing five toilets

2.    Continue with the payment doors in the five existing public toilets, and replace the payment doors with machines that accept contactless and cash payments.

3.    Extend the provision of payment access doors.

It was noted that the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7