‘No chance’ of public toilet plan
NEW rules asking Welsh councils to publish toilet strategies have “no chance in hell of being delivered” in Caerphilly, councillors have said.
Local authorities are not legally required to provide public toilets but under the revised Public Health (Wales) Act, providing a plan outlining access of public facilities is now mandatory.
The changes, approved by Welsh Government in May, come as Caerphilly council considers closing five public toilets in the borough as it plans to save £15.6m in next year’s budget.
Both the closures and the toilet strategy are currently being consulted on, putting the authority in a “difficult position” according to environmental health officer Ceri Edwards.
The regeneration and environment scrutiny committee were told on Tuesday: “If funding wasn’t an issue and I was wearing my public health hat, I’d say people should have access to toilets.
“But wearing my other local authority manager hat, I must look at financial provisions and there is no requirement to provide these facilities. But we have a moral duty to look at alternative provision.”
Retailers within town centres have been asked if they would take part in a scheme allowing public access to their facilities, with the council also open to working with community groups to maintain public toilets.
Increased access in council buildings and a mobile app showing toilet locations have also been proposed but initial surveys had been “poorly” received.
Concerns were raised by the committee as to how residents could access toilets in shops or council-buildings outside opening hours.
Plaid Cymru councillor Colin Elsbury said: “This strategy has been prepared by the Ministry of Silly Walks.
“There are people with medical reasons who don’t leave their homes because there is no toilet provision. If we can’t force retailers to provide it, what are we going to do?
“People need our facilities and we’re closing them.”
Fellow Plaid councillor Robert Gough added: “Certain people in Cardiff need to find something better to do with their time. This strategy has no hope in hell of being delivered.”
Labour councillor Alan Higgs said the proposed mobile app was a good idea but said the council should provide signposts in areas where public toilets were “off the beaten track”.
But Labour councillor and committee chair Tudor Davies described the strategy, and the closing of public toilets, as “disappointing”.
“Our towns are already struggling, and the public have had these toilets for years. Sadly, we’re going to get the backlash, not Welsh Government,” he added.
A Welsh Government spokesman said that funding for community toilet schemes is now in the hands of local authorities through revenue support grants.
He said: “The expectation is that local toilet strategies will go beyond the provision of traditional standalone public toilets, and look at new and creative solutions.”