Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee

Agenda Item 42(d)(2)

Subject:                    Public Toilets – Notice of Motion

                                    Labour Group Amendment

Date of meeting:    15 November 2022

That the relevant changes are made to the motion as shown below in strikethrough and bold italics:

This Committee:

1) Notes concerns from across the community about the sudden closure of 17

public toilet sites in the city;

2) Expresses concern that a report was not brought to committee before decisions were made about closures with regard to toilets not closed temporarily for refurbishments; Recognises that the root cause of the closures is the Administration’s policy of insourcing the public toilet maintenance on 1st February 2022, cancelling a 10-year maintenance contract that had been signed with Healthmatic in 2017; and

3) Recognises that genuine consultation with ward councillors, local residents associations and stakeholders is required before any further closures are implemented;

4) Restates the request at Full Council in July for alternative provision to be made available whilst refurbishment work is undertaken in locations that continue to be heavily used during the winter months, such as Hove Promenade, and requests officers consider interim measures including but not limited to the provision of portaloos;

5) Requests officers:
a. engage with local businesses to see if their toilets can be made
    available for public use
b. ensure adequate signposting to these alternative facilities is provided

6) 3) Calls for an urgent report that considers all options to re-open public toilets at the earliest possible opportunity.

Proposed by: Cllr Platts                                     Seconded by: Cllr O’Quinn

Recommendations to read if carried:

1) Notes concerns from across the community about the sudden closure of 17 public toilet sites in the city;

2) Expresses concern that a report was not brought to committee before decisions were made about closures with regard to toilets not closed temporarily for refurbishments;

3) Recognises that genuine consultation with ward councillors, local residents associations and stakeholders is required before any further closures are implemented;

4) Restates the request at Full Council in July for alternative provision to be made available whilst refurbishment work is undertaken in locations that continue to be heavily used during the winter months, such as Hove Promenade, and requests officers consider interim measures including but not limited to the provision of portaloos;

5) Requests officers:
a. engage with local businesses to see if their toilets can be made available
    for public use
b. ensure adequate signposting to these alternative facilities is provided

6) Calls for an urgent report that considers all options to re-open public toilets at the earliest possible opportunity.