Agenda item

CM 68                                                                

Consideration was given to a report that provided an update on the Public Toilet project and specifically the consultation that had been undertaken with those affected local town and parish councils.

During his introduction, the lead Hub Committee Member advised that:-

-        whilst the recommendation remained in relation to the public toilets at Market Street, Okehampton, discussions were still ongoing with Okehampton Town Council.  As a result, the lead Member remained hopeful that a lease could be negotiated with the Town Council to ensure that the public toilets remained open.  In light of these discussions, the Member advised that these facilities would not be closed on 31 March 2019 as long as there still remained a possibility that an agreement could be reached with the Town Council;

-        the local choice of Tavistock Town Council was to retain the Bedford Car Park public toilets.  Therefore, the Member informed that the recommendation was that Tavistock Bus Station public toilets should be closed;

-        with regard to the Princetown facility, discussions were ongoing with Dartmoor National Park Authority.  The lead Member assured those in attendance that Dartmoor Forest Parish Council and the local Ward Member would be kept fully informed; and

-        he was personally very appreciative of the positive approach adopted by local town and parish councils to resolve such a difficult subject matter.

In discussion, reference was made to:-

(a)   the Yelverton facilities.  In respect of the Yelverton facilities, a local Ward Member advised that it was likely to be difficult for the legal agreement to be in place before 1 April 2019;

(b)   the Market Street, Okehampton facilities.  A Member highlighted the importance of the Market Street facility remaining open and strongly hoped that a satisfactory agreement could be reached between the Borough Council and the Town Council;

(c)    the Princetown facilities.  In emphasising the amount of time and effort that had been wasted, a local Ward Member asked that her deep frustrations be formally recorded whereby it had only recently become apparent that the facilities at Princetown could not be closed;

(d)   the impact on disabled bus users of closing the Tavistock Bus Station facilities.  Some Members asked that consideration be given to retaining at least one open toilet at the Bus Station for disabled users.  In reply, the lead Hub Committee Member gave an assurance that this would be given consideration;

(e)   adequate signage being erected.  When questioned, officers confirmed that appropriate signage would be put in place that advised that a public toilet facility had been closed.

It was then moved by Cllr R F D Sampson, seconded by Cllr P R Sanders and, upon being submitted to the Meeting, was declared to be CARRIED and “RESOLVED that:

1.     Following consultation with all affected town and parish councils to consider alternative ways of providing the service, approval be given to the closure of the following public toilets where feasible alternatives have not been found:

-        Buckland Monachorum: Bedford Bridge;

-        Okehampton: Market Street; and

-        Tavistock: Bus Station; and

2.     Whilst the recommendation to approve closure at Princetown remains, the Council continues to provide a limited facility in Princetown whilst alternative uses of the building are explored with Dartmoor National Park Authority and the Duchy of Cornwall, in line with the terms of the current lease and head lease arrangements.”