The Service Improvement & Project Officer introduced the report which set out the details of a full review and the formulation of the recommendations.

A visiting Member was invited to speak.  He spoke on the public conveniences (PCs) on Milton Regis High Street, asking how usage was determined and why they were currently closed.  Officers responded to the points that were raised.  The PCs at this location had been closed due to maintenance works resulting from vandalism and officers were awaiting the outcome of this meeting’s discussion to consider reopening; usage of the PCs was carried out by electronic counters and water usage data was also used; and if Members decided that the toilets were to be permanently closed at this location, discussions would be held with the owner of the building on its use going forward.

The Chair invited Members to ask questions and make comments, and these included:

·         Clarification sought on how much ‘appetite’ there was from parish councils to take on the PCs;

·         how would it be determined which PCs would close?; and

·         the PCs which were transferred to parish/town councils needed to be free at point of use.

In response, the Service Improvement & Project Officer explained that an initial survey had been carried out with parishes and officers were now seeking Member support to further explore the opportunities of transferring the PCs to parish/town councils.  It was hoped that public response to the consultation would indicate which PCs should be closed.  The Head of Environment and Leisure confirmed that contrary to the reports in the press, it was not the intention to close both toilets in Sittingbourne, just one or the other.  Members welcomed that clarification.

Councillor Lloyd Bowen moved the following motion:  That the transferred public conveniences be retained as toilets and free at the point of use.  This was seconded by Councillor Ashley Shiel.

In response to a question, the Monitoring Officer explained that whether the facility would remain free after transferring would be subject to negotiation and that restrictions like this might deter parishes from considering them.

Councillor Bowen made an amendment to his proposal:  That for as long as the transferred building was being used as a public convenience, it remained free at the point of use.  Councillor Shiel, as seconder, was happy with the amendment and on being put to the vote it was agreed.

Members continued to speak on the substantive motions and the following points were raised:

·         It was important to have accessible for all toilets;

·         this seemed as though a decision was being made before it was known whether any parish/town councils wanted to take these assets on;

·         it was important to consider the equality impact assessment and it was difficult to capture how impacted the most vulnerable people would be;

·         clarification sought on the Community Toilet Scheme;

·         suggested question (2) in the consultation needed to be looked at again;

·         some toilets had showers attached and so could be difficult to separate out the water usage of the toilets; and

·         clarification sought on how the improvement project would be funded.

Some Members commented on which facilities they considered should be closed over others and a Member raised a comment about the water usage at Queenborough.

The Service Improvement & Project Officer spoke on the Community Toilet Scheme and said officers had contacted a few businesses and some had expressed an interest, this was only intended to be rolled out in areas where closures were agreed; question (6) in the public consultation was directed towards those who could be affected by any closures; and the improvement project would be funded by the UK Prosperity Fund.  Officers would pick up the changes to the consultation about regularity of use.

The Head of Environment and Leisure confirmed that some parish/town councils had already agreed in principle to look at taking on the PCs but the next stage of negotiation would determine how many were transferred; it was important that the committee gave the go-ahead so the consultation and whole process could begin; and separately, the three closures were about duplication of facilities or where they had less usage and were in need of repair.  He said that he understood the impacts on those with protected characteristics and they would look to target specific groups that represented those groups in the consultation.

Councillor Jayes proposed the recommendations as set out in the report and these were seconded by Councillor Jackson.

Resolved:

(1)      That residents be consulted on matching the service with the resources in the medium-term financial plan by:

a)    The closure of 3 public conveniences

b)   Exploring and then as appropriate undertaking formal negotiations to transfer 7 public conveniences to Town and Parish Councils or other appropriate local organisations;

o   Oare Gunpowder Works Visitors Centre

o   Central Car Park

o   Rose Street

o   Beachfields

o   Leysdown Beach Services

o   The Spinney

o   Queenborough Park

c)    Introducing a Community Toilet Scheme.

(2)      That it be retendered for 2026/27 onwards for the remaining 6 public conveniences with the ability to add additional sites subject the scenarios in 2.7.

(3)      That officers consider opportunities to improve the condition of the remaining public conveniences, while improving energy and water efficiency where applicable.

(4)      That for as long as the transferred building was being used as a public convenience, it remained free at the point of use.