Agenda item

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

      enable them to provide conveniences available for use by the

       public.