Agenda item

Report of the Interim Executive Director for Environment.

The Committee received a report of the Interim Executive Director for Environment, concerning the current public convenience provision in the Square Mile and outlined options for the future.

Members discussed the proposals. Points made included the need for improved publicising and wayfinding for public convenience facilities within the Square Mile, and need for better signage at locations such as libraries and train stations within the City. The Committee noted that one of the recommendations was to improve the wayfinding aspect of public conveniences. There had been discussions with Transport for London at the public toilet provision within the London Underground Network. There would also be consideration of extending the opening hours of the urilifts at Paternoster Hill utilising the nighttime levy.  

Some Members highlighted their concerns with the Community Toilets Scheme, such as its lack of ambition with the number of toilets available, and the signage not being prominent or large enough to be noticeable.

The Committee made points with regards to the funding of public conveniences, including utilising cashless systems and hiring staff via agencies to manage the facilities. On these points, the Committee heard that there was still a strong demand for coins, and there were issues with those who did not pay the fee and climbed the barrier into the toilets. It was not being recommended to remove the fees and charges for public conveniences, as it contributed to meeting the cost of running the facilities. The Committee were reminded of the challenge to backfill £1.2m, the toilets that had been closed had been closed based on usage data. Even if toilets were closed, there were still maintenance costs. It was confirmed that agency staff were used for managing the facilities.

Members of the Committee referred to Grade I listed facilities which had been closed, and a closed facility on an island in Smithfield. The Committee heard that toilets on islands created safety risks for members of the public trying to access them. For the closed facilities, these cost money to decommission, and an alternative scheme had to arise to change or find an alternative use for the building.

It was requested that a report providing an update on the proposals be received by the Committee ahead of the 2025 elections.

RESOLVED – That Members agree the following (within currently agreed budgets):

·       Review and enhance the publicity and signage for the City’s public toilets at all locations.

·       Refurbish the toilet facilities within the City’s car parks.

·       Identify potential locations for additional urilifts.

·       Explore opportunities for a limited reopening of the public toilets at Blackfriars (after the completion of the Tideway project).

·       Review the benefits, promotion and funding of the Community Toilets Scheme.

·       Press for further private sector provision of public toilets through the Planning process.

·       Work with ParkGuard to focus their nighttime economy resources on anti-social behaviour hotspots.

·       Explore additional funding opportunities to reinvest into the provision and maintenance of public toilets.