Agenda item

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 department intended to submit a bid through the Council's bids procedure to invest in the county's public toilets.

Attention was drawn to the Community Toilets Grants scheme, where locations could apply for a grant of up to £500 to ensure the cleanliness and safety of toilets to be made available for public use with no expectation to buy products or services.  It was explained that approved locations received signage from the Council to inform the public about the service. It was noted that 35 properties were currently participating in the scheme, with additional locations on the waiting list. It was acknowledged that the department had received feedback that the public were not aware of this scheme, and that work would be undertaken to promote it.

It was noted that consideration should be given to specifying operating hours for the public toilets rather than noting whether they were open on a seasonal basis or year-round. It was explained that this would ensure that residents were aware in advance if facilities would be open when they were travelling.

It was noted that better use could be made of the signs that informed users where public toilets were located. It was explained that there were some examples of unclear signage, or places where there was no sign, and it was confirmed that the department was working to ensure that there were clear signs indicating the location of each public toilet.

In response to an enquiry about vandalism, the Senior Engineer confirmed that it was a combination of general vandalism within the public toilets and vandalism due to the fees that were charged.

In response to a request to ensure that everyone was able to use the public toilets, the Head of Highways, Engineering and YGC noted that a review was being held to ensure that public toilets were available for all, and what changes were required to make them more accessible. The department's intention to hold an equality consultation on the public toilets to ensure that all users had the necessary facilities was welcomed.

Consideration was given to the need to hold further discussions with the community councils regarding public toilets that had now closed.  It was explained that discussions had been held with the community councils to establish partnerships to manage public toilets. It was noted that there were some examples where these partnerships had failed and the toilets had now closed. Discussion took place on whether it would be beneficial to raise this issue with the community councils again as they had a number of new representatives since the election in 2022.  

It was agreed that the department would provide an update, to include an assessment of the possible options for the fees arrangements in due course.

RESOLVED

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

2.    To receive an update in due course including an assessment of the possible options for the door payment arrangements.