Public loo review to take a year

Some councillors aren't impressed

A year-long review of public loos in Plymouth has left some councillors wondering if they could be waiting a long time for improvements.

Cllr Lauren McLay (Green, Plympton Chaddlewood) said many facilities had closed down permanently or temporarily because of poor upkeep or were inaccessible because of “odd opening hours and payment methods” or cost.

Some areas of the city don’t have any public toilets at all and this is a public health issue, she said.

In her ward, a lack of facilities is stopping people from going outside, making them less active.

“It removes the freedom to enjoy public spaces”, she said, adding that it is particular problem for those who are pregnant, people with children, the elderly and chronically ill who might require more frequent trips to the loo.

She said a ‘community toilet scheme’ would introduce more loos cost-effectively.

In her motion to full council Cllr McLay asked the council to investigate making the city’s lavatories free of charge, start a ‘public toilet awareness programme’, assess opening hours. She also wants to know how much it would cost to provide free hygiene and menstrual products in Plymouth’s buildings and public toilets. The is among the top 10 cities for women struggling to afford sanitary products.

Cabinet member for communities Cllr Chris Penberthy (Lab, St Peter and the Waterfront) supported the motion but said toilets are already a priority for the Labour administration and £300,000 is committed each year in the budget for their upkeep and enhancement.

He said a significant amount of money had been invested in the city’s loos over the last 10 year,s despite cuts in government funding which makes it difficult to provide non -statutory services.

His amendment to the motion committing to a review of all toilets taking place over the next 12 months was supported by councillors.

Cllr Sally Hayden (Lab, St Budeaux) said the recent opening of a new public toilet in St Budeaux had been well received by the public after a long campaign and councillors putting their own community grant funds into it.

But Cllr Rebecca Smith (Con, Plymstock Radford) was concerned about waiting another 12 months before furhter action,  as loos in her ward had been closed for more than a year because of damage to them.

Cllr Terri Beer (Ind, Plympton Erle) said public toilets are really important particularly for people who have stoma (colostomy) bags.

“There are not enough facilities for people who need to change their stoma bags and I speak on behalf of charity Bowel Cancer West on that,” he said.