Decision details

That Cabinet notes the contents of the report and –

(a)     adopts the Public Convenience Strategy for Tendring, as attached as Appendix A to the report;

(b)     agrees the rationalisation of existing public convenience provision, as outlined in Appendix B to the report, including the demolition of identified buildings as well as selective refurbishment work of identified assets amounting to £0.070m as included in the 2017/2018 Capital Programme;

(c)     delegates authority to the Corporate Director (Operational Services) to undertake the necessary activities to facilitate and implement the proposals for rationalisation as outlined in Appendix B;

(d)     agrees that the Property Dealing Procedure be initiated for all other facilities identified for closure in line with existing policies;

(e)     that subject to (d) above, Cabinet notes that further reports may be brought forward to consider  further refurbishment of remaining facilities in accordance with the Strategy;

(f)       agrees to introduce charging at the Rosemary Road, Clacton-on-Sea facility with the associated refurbishment work of up to £0.070m to be included in the Capital programme for 2017/18 funded from the Public Convenience Earmarked Reserve;

(g)     that subject to (f), delegates authority to the Corporate Director (Operational Services) to undertake the necessary activities to facilitate the refurbishment and introduction of charging at the Rosemary Road, Clacton-on-Sea facility including the level of charge to be on levied on the reopening of the site to reflect demand and the need to maximise income opportunities;

(h)     delegates authority to the Portfolio Holder for Commercialisation, Seafronts and Parking, in consultation with the Leader of the Council and the Corporate Director (Operational Services) to:

·     close further public conveniences that do not meet the agreed strategic objectives such as may be highlighted through low usage, disrepair due to ageing infrastructure or anti-social behaviour;

·     review opening hours of facilities as a means of reducing the impact of crime and to support service budgets;

·     in addition to the Rosemary Road, Clacton-on-Sea Public Convenience, agree which further sites may charge including the fee charged and period of charging (such fees and charges will become incorporated within the Council’s budgetary and reporting cycle);

·     select which sites are prioritised for major refurbishment;

·     enter into agreements with Town / Parish Councils, other groups or commercial organisations, where appropriate, in relation to the ongoing operation and / or maintenance of public conveniences; and

·     seek out and implement, where necessary, works to support other income streams from sponsorship, advertising and other sources.

(i)       notes the receipt of the petition submitted by Mr Dan Casey, a resident of Jaywick, objecting to the proposed closure of the public conveniences at Garden Road, Jaywick;

(j)       notes the history of the High Lighthouse Harwich Public Conveniences reported to the meeting by Councillor I J Henderson; and

(k)     instructs Officers to undertake discussions with local residents and any other interested parties as to the possible transfer of the public conveniences at Garden Road, Jaywick.