Agenda item

2025/2026 Budget - Savings from public toilets budget

Executive Summary

This report provides an update to the report considered by Cabinet at its meeting of 9th September 2024 proposing savings from the public toilet budget.

 

The provision of public toilets is a discretionary service and in light of the worsening financial position of the Council in preparing the 2025/26 budget the ongoing costs of providing these facilities has been reviewed and proposals developed for the Council to close or transfer some facilities to other providers where levels of use are low and/or the Council has no other assets such as car parks which generate income which can support provision of these facilities.

 

Options considered

 

The 9th September 2024 report proposed the closure or transfer to other providers of six public toilets provided by the Council and the seasonal (winter) closure of other facilities.

 

Subsequently, attention was focussed on the savings which could be realised from the facilities proposed for closure or transfer.

 

Consultation(s)

For those facilities proposed for closure or transfer, conversations have been had with key stakeholders (parish councils and local businesses and community organisations) in outlining the Council’s position and exploring possible arrangements by which the facilities might be retained through transfer to a third party, sponsorship or alternative financing arrangements.

Recommendations

 

Cabinet is asked to:-

 

1)    to confirm its support for discussions being progressed with local businesses at Potter Heigham with the objective of securing sponsorship to meet the costs of retaining the Potter Heigham public toilets;

2)    to agree that proposals and a business case be prepared for a new public toilet facility to be developed on, or adjoining, the District Council’s public car park and principal bus stop at the western end of the High Street in Stalham with a report being presented to Cabinet on such a proposal in the future.  In the meantime, the existing toilets will be retained for a minimum of twelve months.

3)    to agree that the public toilets in Walsingham be retained at least until March 2026 with further discussions being held with local partners as to whether a sustainable financial model for the facilities can be agreed in the medium-term.

4)    to retain the West Runton public toilets at least for this summer (through until the end of September 2025) with further discussions being held with local partners as to whether a sustainable financial model for the facilities can be agreed in the medium-term.

5)    to confirm its support for the position adopted in removing the leased unit at Beach Lane, Weybourne realising a financial saving of approximately £26,000 per annum and retaining the eco-loo at this location and monitoring its use / mis-use and to advise that we will continue to work with Weybourne Parish Council to establish if a more sustainable location can be found for the provision of a public toilet in the village.

 

Reasons for recommendations

 

To deliver savings from the public toilet budget as part of preparing the 2025/26 budget and help reduce the deficits shown in the Medium-Term Financial Strategy given contract, wage and energy inflation, significant increases in the Temporary Accommodation and homelessness support and no increase in the District Council’s spending power.

Background papers

 

Cabinet report of 9th September 2024

2025/2026 Budget papers

Medium-Term Financial Strategy

 

 

Wards affected

Beeston Regis and The Runtons

Coastal

Hickling

Stalham

Walsingham

 

Cabinet member(s)

Cllr T Adams, Leader of the Council

Cllr L Shires, Cabinet portfolio holder for Finance and Assets

Contact Officer

Steve Blatch, Chief Executive,

steve.blatch@north-norfolk.gov.uk

 

Decision:

Decision

RESOLVED

 

Cabinet is asked to:-

 

1)    to confirm its support for discussions being progressed with local businesses at Potter Heigham with the objective of securing sponsorship to meet the costs of retaining the Potter Heigham public toilets;

2)    to agree that proposals and a business case be prepared for a new public toilet facility to be developed on, or adjoining, the District Council’s public car park and principal bus stop at the western end of the High Street in Stalham with a report being presented to Cabinet on such a proposal in the future.  In the meantime, the existing toilets will be retained for a minimum of twelve months.

3)    to agree that the public toilets in Walsingham be retained at least until March 2026 with further discussions being held with local partners as to whether a sustainable financial model for the facilities can be agreed in the medium-term.

4)    to retain the West Runton public toilets at least for this summer (through until the end of September 2025) with further discussions being held with local partners as to whether a sustainable financial model for the facilities can be agreed in the medium-term.

5)    to confirm its support for the position adopted in removing the leased unit at Beach Lane, Weybourne realising a financial saving of approximately £26,000 per annum and retaining the eco-loo at this location and monitoring its use / mis-use and to advise that we will continue to work with Weybourne Parish Council to establish if a more sustainable location can be found for the provision of a public toilet in the village.

 

Reasons for the decision:

 

To deliver savings from the public toilet budget as part of preparing the 2025/26 budget and help reduce the deficits shown in the Medium-Term Financial Strategy given contract, wage and energy inflation, significant increases in the Temporary Accommodation and homelessness support and no increase in the District Council’s spending power.

Supporting documents: