Agenda item

Two public speakers had registered to speak for this item.

Cllr Graham Deasy, representing Exmouth Town Council, advised that the Town Council had growing concerns regarding the review which had resulted in a shortfall of facilities for Exmouth.  Existing facilities are struggling to remain serviceable and the Town Council would like to see additional and larger public toilet blocks. The Town Council seeks to promote Exmouth as a welcoming tourist destination but has received many complaints, including from international visitors, regarding the condition of the facilities.  This is damaging the town’s reputation and negatively impacting those wanting to visit the town, including local sports groups, which then has an unwanted negative impact on the local economy. The Town Council was of the view that the review was based on outdated information and urged EDDC to work with the Town Council moving forwards.

Cllr Dianne Conduit, representing Exmouth Town Council, informed the Committee that she had received many complaints during this year, particularly from women and those caring for small children.  The impact assessment which had formed part of the review was out of date in the post covid pandemic era.  Cllr Conduit expressed concern regarding the public toilet provision at Foxholes which had been problematic: money had been taken although the public could not access the toilets; people had been locked in; disabled people had difficulty accessing the toilets and the design did not meet the needs of stoma users.  There was a lack of confidence in the facilities at Foxholes.  There had also been public health issues when the facilities at The Maer had been closed.

The Chair thanked the public for their contributions.

The report was introduced by the Portfolio Holder for Economy and Assets, Cllr Paul Hayward, who advised that the review and provision of the service was challenging and complex.

The Assistant Director – Place, Assets and Leisure, Tim Child, presented the report which followed on from a Spotlight Briefing to the Overview and Scrutiny Committees on 15 July.  A key milestone has been reached in the programme for delivery against the outcomes of the 2021 Public Toilets Review.  Phase 1 of the planned investment programme has now been completed alongside the transfer of some facilities to Town and Parish Councils and the sale, lease or closure of others.

The report also considered the current context for the delivery of the Public Toilets programme, including the challenges associated with the Medium Term Financial Plan and the backdrop of the forthcoming local government reorganisation [LGR], and considered the options for moving forward whilst also reflecting on learnings from the first phase.

The outcomes of the Spotlight Session were as follows:

1.     Overview Committee to receive a report and make recommendations on the way forward;

2.     The Scrutiny function to be satisfied by a cross-party Members group with oversight of project as it moves forward.

This report addressed the first outcome and provided Overview Committee with the opportunity to influence direction of travel and a more detailed options appraisal to inform Cabinet decision making.

The Assistant Director advised that it would be a significant budgetary ask to complete the programme in its current form and that any legacy as regards LGR needs to be balanced against budgetary restraints.

Responses to questions and comments on responses included the following points:

·        There have been teething issues with the delivery of facilities which has not been unexpected.  The programme follows a model of delivery which was being rolled out in other parts of the country;

·        In light of incidences where people have been locked into cubicles, concern was expressed as to whether sufficient research was carried out given that there have been similar issues in other areas.  Sound proofing of cubicles was a real concern if the user was in difficulty;

·        Overall the number of faults and complaints have been low when compared with the level of use;

·        Improved signage had been installed to assist users and it was noted that some issues were not due to a fault, but to incidences where the public were uncertain as to how to use the facility;

·        Capital receipts from the sale of sites had gone back into general reserves;

·        The first phase of delivery had to include Exmouth, Seaton and Budleigh due to the timescale around Government funding for the adult Changing Places facilities;

·        The second phase of delivery would be based on need which included consideration of the state of specific buildings;

·        Steamer Steps/Cliff Path site in Budleigh was on the list for rebuilding, but it was noted that this site would be challenging due to its location and constraints for installing a modular building;

·        Administration of introducing and operating a discount scheme for local people would be costly and complex and no recommendations had, as yet, been made;

·        Industry advice had been to move away from using radar keys which also have an administrative burden.  All new toilet blocks had at least one accessible cubicle;

·        Of the 11 remaining sites, the majority of these were currently planned to be new buildings;

·        Concern was expressed regarding the ease of use of stoma facilities, although this may depend on the type of stoma.  Officers would consider this issue further going forwards;

·        A good facility at the Exmouth gateway site was desperately needed. It was noted that this site was not a Category A site and had never been identified to be kept open during the 2021 review so that there was no capital budget for this site.  More recently the decision had been taken to retain this site, therefore, a revenue budget only was available and it was now doubtful whether any upgrades could be delivered ahead of LGR due to the lack of capital budget;

·        Concern was expressed that the Council was considering expenditure on buildings which were only 7-10 years old;

·        Consideration of the options available going forwards would determine whether further public consultation would be required, however, there would be time constraints due to the imminent approach of LGR;

·        Discussions had commenced with Town and Parish Councils regarding the transfer of assets ahead of reorganisation;

·        The design concept for the next phase of delivery was in place and therefore ready to apply for planning permission. Consultation with Ward Members would take place prior to seeking planning permission. If that approach was not going to be adopted, an options appraisal would be required as soon as possible with a view to a report to Cabinet at the end of this year, or early next year;

·        There was concern regarding the timescales for LGR as toilet facilities would eventually transfer to another body such as a Town or Parish Council.  Strong engagement with local councils at this stage could save time and money in the long run;

·        Cabinet had received a report at the end of July on the stewardship of public amenities going forwards, with a further report due at the end of the year, which would address safeguarding amenities for the future.  This timescale would align with the intention to submit an options appraisal on public toilets to Cabinet, should that be agreed as the way forwards;

·        Councillors were advised that the anticipated S.24 notice at the end of next year would severely limit the Council’s expenditure;

·        There was concern that the timing of LGR does not align with the budget setting process for local councils.  Currently Town and Parish Councils do not have data on the running costs of public toilets which were more of a liability than an asset;

·        It was requested that consultation with Ward Members should include all members of a town with more than one ward.

During the debate, the following points were included:

·        It was suggested that the capital amount available could be divided between the remaining facilities in the next phase of the review and transferred to Town and Parish Councils with the asset itself, for them to consider the options most suitable for their parish’s needs.  The legality of this as an option would need to be considered;

·        The agreement between Exmouth Town Council and EDDC with regard to the maintenance of the toilets at The Maer was working well;

·        The Exmouth Placemaking project with Exmouth Town Council would potentially provide the Town Council with the scope to enable keeping the station toilet facilities in place;

·        Noted that EDDC can offer its services to Town and Parish Councils to keep amenities such as toilets operational;

·        It was noted that Budleigh Salterton Town Council wants the Cliff Path site to remain on the phase 2 list;

·        There are examples of unitary authorities not closing toilet facilities and other options were available and should be considered to ensure viability going forwards;

·        Planning conditions could ensure that supermarkets and large commercial premises provide toilet facilities;

·        The provision of public toilets should be put at the forefront of discussions on asset transfer with Town and Parish Councils;

·        An options appraisal should be kept as wide and flexible as possible and should align with the timing of the forthcoming stewardship report to Cabinet.

It was agreed to recommend the following to Cabinet:

RECOMMENDED TO CABINET

1.     That an options appraisal is undertaken to influence direction of travel informed through the debate, to include flexibility around capital expenditure and early engagement with Town and Parish Councils and that the timing of the options appraisal aligns with the forthcoming stewardship report to Cabinet, and

2.     That Officers have regard to the discussion and comments made by the Overview Committee at its meeting on 30 September 2025.

 .