Issue - meetings

To receive a report by the Director of Environmental and Community Services in response to the petition submitted at the April meeting of the Council.

Noted the current position with regard to the transfer and closure of public conveniences across the District, received petitions from the Shopmobility Group in Huntingdon, Godmanchester Community Association and the residents of Ramsey and requested that a further report be submitted by the Director of Environmental and Community Services on the future of the conveniences in Huntingdon bus station in October 2010.

The Cabinet gave consideration to a report by the Director of Environmental and Community Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) drawing attention to three petitions from the Shopmobility Group in Huntingdon, Godmanchester Community Association and Ramsey residents regarding the closure of public conveniences across the District.  Two of the petitions had been presented to Council and referred to the Cabinet, while the person submitting the third petition had agreed that it could be submitted to Cabinet in conjunction with the others on the same subject.

Executive Councillors were reminded that the decision to reduce expenditure on the maintenance public conveniences had been taken on financial grounds and as a result of an acknowledgement that the service should be more appropriately dealt with by town and parish councils.

Particular mention was made of the town councils’ ability to raise their precept in the present economic climate whereas the level of council tax for district and county councils had been frozen for 2011/12 by the Government.

Having been advised of the views expressed by the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Environmental Well-Being) and in stressing that officers were available to offer advice and assistance to the town councils on the matter, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  (a)  that the current position with regard to the transfer and closure of public conveniences across the District be noted;

  (b)  that the petitions from the Shopmobility Group in Huntingdon, Godmanchester Community Association and the residents of Ramsey be received; and

  (c)  that a further report be submitted by the Director of Environmental and Community Services on the future of the conveniences in Huntingdon bus station in October 2010.

(Councillor Hyams requested that his name be recorded as voting against the motion)

To consider a report by the Director of Environmental and Community Services in response to the petition submitted at the April meeting of the Council.

(Councillor J Gray, Executive Councillor for Environment and Information Technology and Councillor C R Hyams were in attendance for this item).

The Panel considered a report by the Director of Environmental and Community Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) updating the Panel on the Council’s position with regard to public conveniences following the submission of petitions in response to the Council’s decision to reduce expenditure on their ownership and maintenance.  Members were reminded that this had been a decision of the Council when the budget had been approved for the current year.

The Panel was reminded that the Council owned and maintained 9 public conveniences within the district plus those at Hinchingbrooke Country Park and Paxton Pits visitor centres.  The Council also contributed £1,500 towards the maintenance of conveniences in St Benedict’s Court which would remain open. 

Members were updated on the situation regarding discussions with town councils to transfer responsibility for the maintenance of the conveniences in the market towns. Some of the conveniences in St Neots were being transferred to the Town Council and the District Council was continuing to maintain the facilities of the St Ives and Huntingdon Bus Stations.  However the other facilities had been closed as the town councils had been unwilling to accept a transfer in responsibility.  The only exception was a temporary facility funded by Ramsey Town Council pending the redevelopment of the Grand Cinema site.

Members were reminded by Councillor Gray that facilities were not funded by the District Council elsewhere in Huntingdonshire, with public conveniences having been removed from the larger villages some years previously.  He drew attention to the facilities available in public buildings and retail outlets in the market towns and reiterated that the Cabinet felt that the provision of the public conveniences was best dealt with by the town and parish councils.  However in response to discussion, Councillor Gray indicated that he was prepared to facilitate negotiations with venues to make facilities available to the public, on the understanding that any financial incentive had to be provided by the town and parish councils concerned.

As ward Councillor, Councillor C Hyams acquainted the Panel with details of complaints he had received in respect of the closure of the public conveniences in Godmanchester and he suggested that other cost cutting measures should be considered prior to the closure of the public conveniences.

The Panel, having been acquainted with the content of the petitions received, and whilst agreeing on their value, concurred that provision should not be the financial responsibility of the District Council.  In that light it was suggested that a package of help and guidance, including a possible template to illustrate available options should be explored by officers of the Council and offered to town and parish councils if they wish to ensure the availability of public conveniences in their area.

  RESOLVED

  that Cabinet be requested to consider the possibility of exploring a

    package of help and guidance to town and parish councils to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 22

Councillor Mrs S Worthington (or an alternative Councillor nominated by the Town Council) to present a petition containing approximately 1,108 signatures submitted by Godmanchester Town Council that states that “we the undersigned deplore Huntingdonshire District Council’s decision to cease payment for the running and maintenance of the public toilets in Godmanchester and urge the District Council to reverse its decision as a matter of urgency and reinstate this necessary facility to the benefit of both residents of and visitors to Godmanchester”.

The Chairman invited Councillor D Brown of Godmanchester Town Council and representative of the Godmanchester Community Association to present a petition containing 1,127 signatories requesting the District Council to reconsider its decision to withdraw funding for the operation of the public conveniences in Godmanchester.

Councillor Brown suggested that the Council’s decision would have a greater impact upon Godmanchester than elsewhere as the size of the village and the resources available were insufficient for the Town Council to be able to undertake the running and maintenance of such facilities themselves.

Councillor Brown referred to representations made to the Town Council by local businesses, residents and visitors to the village and made particular mention of two community schemes which would be adversely affected by the consequences of the decision.

On the conclusion of Councillor Brown’s address, it was

RESOLVED

  that the petition be referred for consideration to the Cabinet.

Mr R Emmette to present a petition containing 221 signatures in respect of the closure of public conveniences in the District.

The Chairman invited Mr R Emmette to present a petition on behalf of 221 signatories regarding their concern at the proposed closure of public conveniences in Ramsey, St. Ives, St. Neots, Huntingdon and Godmanchester.

On behalf of the petitioners, Mr Emmette suggested that it was unreasonable to expect residents and visitors to the District to use facilities in local restaurants and shops, that use of the Riverside Park and the number of visitors to the District would decrease and that he was hopeful that the town councils would be able to assume responsibility for the facilities.

Following questions from Members, it was

RESOLVED

  that the petition be referred for consideration to the Cabinet.