The Senior Assessment Management Manager introduced the report of the Director of Regeneration and Place, which provided the outcome of a public consultation exercise undertaken as part of the 2022/23 budget setting process, to reduce the revenue expenditure for Public Toilets.

The Council provided 9 locations for Public Conveniences throughout the Borough and the proposal recommended the retention of West Kirby Marine Lake, Parade Gardens Hoylake, Harrison Drive (Kings Parade) New Brighton and Moreton Common, and the closure of Moreton Cross, West Kirby Concourse (external), Meols Parade (Bennetts Lane), New Ferry and Thornton Hough. It was reported that the toilets proposed for closure had not been open since the start of the pandemic due to operational and safety reasons, and their permanent closure would allow investment into the remaining four sites.

Members discussed the proposed permanent closure of the public conveniences at Thornton Hough and the impact of this on residents accessing the nearby sports facilities and national cycle route. It was noted that expressions of interests for Community Asset Transfer were received for sites included in the report but were outside of the scope and members encouraged these to be considered following the approval of the further Asset Strategy at Policy and Resources Committee.

On a motion by the Chair, seconded by Mike Collins, it was –

Resolved (Unanimously) – 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) and New Ferry be approved.

(3) approval be given that the Public Toilets identified for closure Moreton Cross, West Kirby Concourse (external), Meols Parade (Bennetts Lane), New Ferry 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.

(4) Officers work towards a solution where the toilets in Thornton Hough are available whilst sports teams are using the green and open at weekends, as the facilities in the community café are unavailable, and that these sites be prioritised and Expressions of Interest which were received whilst they were not in scope, be rapidly progressed following Policy & Resources’ consideration of the Asset Strategy.