Agenda item

LISTOF BACKGROUND PAPERS AS REQUIRED BY LAW

(Papers relied on to write the report, which do not contain exempt information and which are not published elsewhere)

Public Conveniences Strategy

Cabinet Member(s):    Ward(s) affected:  All

Contact officer, telephone and email:

Maxine Collis Maxine.collis@north-norfolk.gov.uk

01263 516256

 to follow.

Cllr H Blathwayt introduced the report and thanked officers and panel members for their work in developing the recommendations as the culmination of six-months work. 

Questions and Discussion

      i.        The Chairman noted that there were fourteen recommendations and asked whether there was any opportunity to conjoin or prioritise them. Cllr H Blathwayt replied that the fourteenth recommendation was the most urgent for responding to the growing demand of campervan waste. He added that many water recycling centres were not able to take this form of waste, and specialist processing was required. It was noted that the Chief Executive was aware of the situation and its urgency. On the remaining recommendations, Cllr H Blathwayt stated that these related to each section of the review and had to be taken as a whole.

     ii.        Cllr P Heinrich referred to recommendation fourteen on campervan waste disposal and noted that as a caravan user, he was always conscious of disposing of the waste properly, though many did not. He added that wild camping was illegal in England, so caravan and campervan owners should be disposing of their waste at the facilities provided on campsites. It was noted that whilst wild camping was permitted in Scotland, waste disposal facilities were provided, and this model could be considered. Cllr P Heinrich stated that there was no excuse for improper emptying of waste, and more vigilant policing may be required. Cllr H Blathwayt noted that the Broads had waste disposal facilities available for a small fee. Cllr V Holliday noted that she had worked with a coastal group on addressing this issue, however the illegality of wild camping had limited progress. She added that despite this many people were still wild camping and dumping waste into roadside ditches, causing significant harm to the environment, and she was therefore supportive of Cllr Heinrich’s suggestions to more vigilantly police wild camping.

    iii.        Cllr E Seward noted that a budget had been agreed for the review process and sought clarification on whether this had been spent. The DSGOS replied that the £30k budget remained in place to fund any external audit work, though a procurement exercise would need to take place if it met the relevant threshold. Cllr H Blathwayt noted that cost-benefit analysis had also been requested of any future cubicle-based designs. In response to a question from the Chairman, Cllr E Seward replied that prioritising the recommendations would be helpful, and noted that if the budget had been approved for the external audit, then the Panel should proceed as planned. The DSGOS noted that prioritisation of recommendations could be undertaken via email to avoid the need for a further meeting. He added that assurances would need to be sought that the £30k funding for an external audit had been approved, prior to proceeding with procurement. It was noted that the Estates Team had previously utilised external providers for similar work, and could be used again subject to procurement.

   iv.        Cllr V Holliday asked whether a Cabinet decision would be required before the Council could act upon the campervan waste disposal recommendation, or whether this could be treated more urgently. The DSGOS replied that investigations had begun as part of the Levelling-Up bid, and if approved by Cabinet this would add weight to any actions. Cllr W Fredericks asked whether it was possible to begin work on the waste disposal issue as soon as possible. It was noted that following approval, it may take time to install waste disposal sites, unless temporary or mobile solutions were available. Cllr V Holliday cautioned that without the Levelling-Up bid, funding for the waste disposals may not be available, and asked whether further enquiries could be made to allow use of commercial waste facilities for a small fee to non-residents.

     v.        Cllr H Blathwayt referred to correspondence received from the Chief Executive relating to the disposal of campervan waste, which stressed the illegality of wild camping and the potential associated costs of installing these facilities. He added that there was an active campaign in support of wild camping, for a nominal fee paid to the Council, though this would challenge existing policies related to travellers. Cllr H Blathwayt stated that as a result, the urgency of recommendation fourteen should be made clear. The DSGOS noted that from a governance perspective, clarification would be required on whether officers or the relevant Portfolio Holder could act upon the recommendation without prior Cabinet approval.

   vi.        Cllr V Holliday stated that recommendation fourteen referred to long-term solutions and suggested that an additional urgent recommendation may be required to seek more immediate short-term solutions. It was suggested that this may require action in advance of Cabinet, to be taken by the relevant Director and Portfolio Holder, subject to the necessary governance procedures. The DSGOS suggested possible wording for the recommendation to include all options for campervan waste disposal including commercially available and/or portable systems be considered by the Environment Portfolio Holder and relevant Director for urgent implementation to mitigate the impact on public conveniences during the summer season.

  vii.        The recommendations and additional urgent recommendation were proposed by Cllr A Varley and seconded by Cllr V Holliday.

RESOLVED

Urgent recommendations:

1.     To recommend that all options for campervan waste disposal such as those commercially available and/or portable disposal systems are considered by the Environment Portfolio Holder and relevant Director for urgent implementation in appropriate areas to mitigate the impact of this waste on existing public conveniences during the summer season.

2.     To recommend investigation of the potential for installation of campervan waste disposal facilities at existing suitable public convenience sites and County run public recycling centres, with appropriate local advertising, if such facilities are seen as consistent with current laws covering 'Wild Camping' and NNDC environmental policies and considered effective in solving current fly-tipping problems.

High priority recommendations:

3.     To recommend that an external audit of the Council’s public conveniences is undertaken to review factors including: lighting, signage, cleanliness, site position, energy efficiency etc.

4.     To recommend that a review of the outcomes of the external audit alongside current structural surveys is undertaken during winter 2022-23 to develop an action plan for the facilities in 2023-24 and annually thereafter, actioned by Property Services, Estates and the Environmental Health (Cleansing).

5.     To recommend that a cleansing ‘standard’ is established, embedded and reported on to ensure cross facility standards are maintained across the District.

6.     To recommend that consideration be given to extend and enable out of hours accessibility of disabled toilets in major tourism locations, through security improvements.

7.     To recommended that a standard design ‘type’ be adopted that is flexible enough to fit most locations where new build may be an option. The use of single self-contained WC cubicles would eliminate wasted lobby areas, address equality and diversity needs and allow partial closures during quieter months or maintenance works.

Normal priority recommendations:

8.     To recommend that a simple customer feedback system is created and promoted to obtain and maintain ongoing feedback to support and evidence need for future changes or address any issues.

9.    To recommend that the Strategy is reviewed and updated at least every 4 years, and that an annual review of the service provision and customer feedback is undertaken by Property Services and cleansing providers, and considered by the Overview & Scrutiny Committee or Scrutiny Panel.

10.  To recommend that the decision making matrix be used and refined to determine future need.

11.  To recommend that location suitability be assessed as part of the PC external audit/review.

12.  To recommend that design and cost-benefit analysis of self-contained cubicle facilities are undertaken for all new public conveniences or major refurbishments (where possible) to offer single sex and gender neutral facilities in line with current legislation.

13.  To recommend that all opportunities are regularly explored to improve the financial sustainability and continuation of public conveniences across the District such as  service costs and maintenance, to include new technology, advertisement and commercial opportunities.

14.  To recommended that when a new build or major refurbishment is required that the decision matrix is used to determine if the facility is of an appropriate size (ie  numbers of cubicles) and in a desirable location (see audit/review results).

15.  To recommended that any major refurbishments or new builds include costings for green/renewable technology to reduce environmental impact (energy efficiency,  water use, carbon reduction) and cost efficiencies so that Members can select the most appropriate course of action for each location.