Issue - meetings

To consider the Progress Report on Gwynedd Local Toilet Strategy.

Resolved:

To accept the report, noting the observations made during the discussion.

The report was presented by the Cabinet Member for Highways, Engineering and YGC, the Head of Highways, Engineering and YGC Department and the Municipal Assets Manager.

It was noted that Gwynedd currently had 61 public toilets and 39 toilets in businesses which took part in the Public Facilities Grant Scheme. It was emphasised that a large part of Gwynedd was located within the Eryri National Park, and therefore the National Park and National Trust also had public toilets. It was therefore noted that a good number of facilities were available across the county.

It was explained that the report provided an update on the implementation of the Public Toilets Strategy since 2019, and included an action plan which noted the next steps and the steps that had already been achieved to improve the image of the public toilets and address the expectations of users, as well as explaining which funding sources were available to improve the provision, what the latest timetable was in terms of introducing contactless payment technology, and what the situation was in terms of income.

⁠It was noted that various grants had been attracted through a variety of ways over the last year, including the Shared Prosperity Fund. It was emphasised that efforts had continued to get access to grants, with an application being submitted for the next round of funding by the Shared Prosperity Fund.

It was noted that the service's revenue budget was limited, and it had been under substantial pressure due to the condition of the buildings and vandalism. It was noted that most of the budget had been used for the maintenance of current facilities, leaving a small amount for restoration or improvement.

Reference was made to the grant scheme by the Welsh Government which provided funding to businesses that were happy to open their facilities to the public. It was noted that it was a requirement for the businesses to ensure appropriate signs, and that officers monitored that this was happening. It was confirmed that there were currently no businesses on the waiting list, therefore new businesses could be included should they appear. It was explained that the Council website noted the businesses which took part in the plan and that list was available for the public. It was noted that work was underway to review the cleaning arrangements, and although the standards were generally satisfactory, it was believed that there was room for improvement.

Members were reminded that there had been pressure on the Council some years ago to save money by closing public toilets, but instead of doing that, a partnership plan was established with town and community councils. It was noted that there would be a need to review this contribution this year, as inflation had not been increased on the contribution since introducing the plan.

It was noted that there were five toilets where people had to pay to use them. It was noted that a bid to renovate and install modern payment doors had been successful, but  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6