Agenda item

Subject to the required notice being given, members of the public can ask questions of the Leader of the Council, Portfolio Holders or Chairmen of Committees.

The Chairman shall determine the number of questions to be tabled at a particular meeting in order to limit the time for questions and answers to 21 minutes.

Subject to the required notice being given, members of the public could ask questions of the Leader of the Council, Portfolio Holders or Chairmen of Committees.

One such question had been received, on notice, from a member of the public as follows:-

Question

From Katie Richards of the Laughing Lobster Club Wild Swimmers (262 members), on behalf of that Club and also Mental Health Swims Holland-on-Sea (212 members), Bluetits Swimmers, Clacton-on-Sea (over 1k members) and the Tendring Wanderers walking group (678 members) to Councillor Peter Kotz, Portfolio Holder for Assets:

“Will the Portfolio Holder for Assets agree to open one additional toilet all year round in Clacton-on-Sea (Russell Road site) and that one additional toilet be opened all year round in Holland-on-Sea (Kingscliff site)?

This would reflect the many more people now using our beautiful seafront to improve their physical and mental wellbeing.  The people this would benefit includes sea swimmers, cyclists, joggers, walkers, dog walkers, all local residents and of course our visitors whom we highly value bringing trade to the local area. Having these two additional toilets open along the seafront through the winter season would mean there would not be too far between facilities (and nearby to our swim/walk locations).  This would be such a relief for so many of our members and enable people to spend more time outdoors, rather than having to rush home and cut short their activities.”

The Chairman of the Council read out the following statement to Members:-

“Councillors, we have on our Agenda this evening a Question to the Portfolio for Assets (Councillor Kotz) that has been submitted by Katie Richards of the Laughing Lobster Club Wild Swimmers, on behalf of that Club and also Mental Health Swims Holland-on-Sea, Bluetits Swimmers, Clacton-on-Sea and the Tendring Wanderers walking group.

Unfortunately, Katie is unable to attend this evening due to her family commitments. However, having considered her request and pursuant to Council Procedure Rule 29 (Interpretation of Procedure Rules) I am making a ruling as to the construction or application of Council Procedure Rule 10.7 so as to allow another member of the public to ask the question on Katie’s behalf.

I therefore cordially invite Kim Wilson to now come forward and ask the Question.”

Kim Wilson thereupon put the question to the Portfolio Holder for Assets.

The Portfolio Holder for Assets replied as follows:-

“Thank you Mr. Chairman. I thank Katie Richards for giving notice of her question and I also thank Kim Wilson for asking the question at the meeting tonight.

The Public Health Act 1936 gives local authorities a power to provide public conveniences, but it imposes no duty on them to do so: the service is discretionary.

Tendring District Council currently provides 28 public conveniences with 18 open year-round in addition to 8 Changing Place facilities.

A comprehensive review of public conveniences was conducted in 2016 by the then Commercialisation Portfolio Holder Working Party. Recommendations included to reduce annual revenue budgets by the agreed closure or seasonal closure of a number of sites across the Tendring District.

Sites identified for closure or seasonal closure were highlighted to be of low use, to be in disrepair due to aging infrastructure or subject to antisocial behaviour.

These factors contributed to higher maintenance and cleaning costs and made certain sites a target for vandalism and drug taking.

Following that review, a public convenience strategy was adopted in 2017 which included the agreement for closures or seasonal closures. The strategy also allowed the Council to follow a schedule of refurbishments in remaining sites and to meet, the then Council’s vision, for providing high quality and affordable services. This could not be provided at that time if all sites were to remain or be opened all year-round.

Busy areas of the District such as town centres and popular seafront areas have a facility open all year. The two areas mentioned have a public convenience open all year round less than half a mile away. While we understand the importance of the location of public conveniences it is an impossible task to provide facilities in all requested areas.

The opening of the requested sites would mean four public conveniences open all year round in 1.5 miles of coastline with increased cleaning and maintenance budgets needed to supply this service. It would be hard to justify such a decision having regard to the overall financial position of the Council and the need to scrutinise and prioritise all expenditure.

Longer standing Members may recall the Council considering a petition to construct new public conveniences in this area at its meeting on 24 January 2023. This was certainly a few months before I became a Member of this Council. Subsequent consideration by the then Cabinet included concern as to the overall financial position of the organisation. The then administration appears to have agreed on the need to consider the requested increase in provision within the context of a review of the public conveniences strategy including the needs of all parts of the District and a wide view of priorities.

While there is no will at this point to change the opening hours of the public conveniences there is a review planned this year of all facilities and the current strategy where all options and proposals will be considered. We will, of course Mr. Chairman, continue to provide the best services we can to the best of our capabilities.”