The Asset Manager presented the report of the Director of Regeneration and Place which provided Committee with the outcomes of a public consultation exercise undertaken as part of the 2022/23 budget setting process to reduce the revenue expenditure for Public Toilets.

On 28 February 2022, Budget Council agreed a balanced budget for the 2022/23 financial year. This included proposals for the reduction of the number of Public Toilets which would generate savings and allow for the balanced budget to be achieved. As part of Budget Council’s recommendations an amount of £50,000 would be taken from the Public Toilet Budget which would result in the re-alignment of the facilities.

Committee was informed that toilets identified for permanent closure had not been re-opened since the pandemic due to the enhanced cleaning regimes required. It was considered that the four public toilets proposed to be retained at key sites, met the needs of residents and visitors due their location, frequency of use, ability to maintain good cleaning standards and in maintaining a good provision of toilet facilities within a given radius.

Members considered the report and raised a query regarding the public toilet Facilities at Vale Park, New Brighton which had been severely damaged during storms. Officers provided assurance that work was being done to rectify the damage.

Members also queried the possibility of Asset Transfer to keep certain locations open, citing the availability of public toilet facilities and an active lifestyle. Other possibilities for keeping these facilities in the long term were discussed, with the committee noting that they would like them to be re-opened in the future if the Council finds itself in a better financial position.

Further information on accessible toilets was requested with Members asking that members of the public be informed with consideration given to the standardisation of access keys.

Resolved – That

(1)  the outcomes of the online public consultation through the “Have your say” consultation report at Appendix 1 be noted;

(2)  the closure of the public toilets at Moreton Cross, West Kirby Concourse (external), Meols Parade (Bennetts Lane) New Ferry and Thornton Hough be authorised; and

(3)  the Public Toilets identified for closure Moreton Cross, West Kirby Concourse (external), Meols Parade (Bennetts Lane), New Ferry and Thornton Hough be declared surplus to requirement and the Director of Regeneration and Place be authorised to consider other options for the sites including marketing them for sale and subsequent disposal, demolition and clearance or any expressions of interest from the communities.