Decision details

(Time: 2.54pm to 3.00pm)

The Executive received and considered report 92/08 of the Deputy Director (Commercial Services) regarding a review of public conveniences in the Vale with the aim of modernising the service managed by the Council.  The Deputy Director had concluded that new arrangements should be implemented as soon as practicable including:

·        reducing the opening hours of public conveniences

·        relocating two Automatic Public Conveniences (APCs)

·        increasing Automatic Public Conveniences’ charges from 10p to 20p

·        introducing in-house collection of revenue

·        reducing the cleaning hours

·        establishing and recruiting a suitable team of cleaning staff

·        minimising agency support

·        refurbishing premises

It was noted that the Direct Services Organisation had maintained the toilets within the £91,000 budget, without inflationary growth, for four years.  Under the proposals the expenditure was expected to remain within this budget at an estimation of £80,905.  Members noted that on 18 September 2008, the Personnel Committee had approved the updated establishment of the Direct Services Organisation with respect to its cleaning technicians, providing a total of 92 hours per week for this function.  The benefits of the new arrangement included:

·         reducing repairs and maintenance and cleaning costs

·         reducing risk of vandalism

·         maintaining the same staffing establishment

·         achieving staff flexible working arrangements

·         improving standard of cleanliness

·         refurbishing premises

·         introducing an income stream

The Executive looked at other options.  It was noted that one alternative to directly employing staff would be to re-tender the cleaning contract to an external service provider.  However, this was rejected as it would remove the control and flexibility preferred by the Council and might exceed the existing budget.  The second option, that of continuing to employ casual staff and agency support on an ad hoc basis, was considered to be unreliable and ineffective as well as being financially unpredictable and uneconomical.  The third option to stop cleaning the toilets completely and seek to either to close all of the premises or transfer their ownership to Town and Parish Councils was considered unacceptable as the Executive considered it important for the Council to continue its public convenience service and not all Town and Parishes might agree to take this service on.  The Executive rejected each of these options. 

Members concluded that the public convenience service should continue on the basis of the new arrangements outlined above, recruiting a suitable team of cleaning staff and using the Direct Services Organisation to carry out maintenance.  It was concluded that this arrangement would give the council better control over the service and improve it for all communities.  Members asked the officers to promote the Richmond scheme, whereby shop and pub owners were encouraged to allow public use of their toilets.  The officer was thanked for his review of this service. 

RESOLVED

(a)       that the new service arrangements for Council owned public conveniences, as detailed in report 92/08, be approved; and

R E C O M M E N D E D

(b)       that the Automatic Public Conveniences’ charges be increased from 10p to 20p.