Community Toilets proposals to be discussed by Cabinet
Lancaster City Council is proposing to ‘mothball’ up to 14 toilet facilities in the district.
But at the same time a new scheme could actually increase the number of public conveniences available to the public.
Lancaster City Council is proposing to ‘mothball’ up to 14 toilet facilities in the district.
But at the same time a new scheme could actually increase the number of public conveniences available to the public.
The city council is proposing to team up with businesses including cafes, pubs and hotels to offer ‘Community Toilet’ facilities in the district.
Pioneered by the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and now being adopted elsewhere, the scheme allows the public to use free toilet facilities in participating businesses, which receive an annual payment in return to cover their costs.
The scheme is cheaper to run than the council’s current arrangements and ensures access to a greater range of toilets that are clean and safe, located within managed buildings and available when people need them.
The Department of Communities and Local Government highlights Community Toilet schemes as an “excellent means by which local authorities, working in partnership with local businesses, can transform public access to toilets in their areas”.
The proposals will be discussed by Lancaster City Council’s cabinet on February 17.
Coun Jon Barry, cabinet member with responsibility for City Council (Direct) Services, said: “The Community Toilet scheme has been a success across the country.
“Businesses that sign up to the scheme will benefit from a financial incentive from the council and should also see increased footfall through their premises.
“The public will also benefit because we will hopefully increase the number of toilets available to them.”
Cabinet members will also discuss the ‘mothballing’ of up to 14 toilets in the district located at:
* Heysham Village
* Sunderland point
* Glasson Dock
* Cockerham
* Silverdale
* Warton
* Red Bank shore
* Carnforth
* Bolton Le Sands
* Hest Bank
* Bull Beck
* Morecambe promenade (adjacent to the Dome)
* Morecambe West End (at the end of Regent Road)
* Victoria Institute, Caton (cleaned by the council)
Mothballing the toilets would provide a further opportunity to review their medium term / long term future.
The closures and introduction of the Community Toilet scheme would save the council up to £80,000 in the next financial year.
Date Updated: 19/03/09