Public toilet service in Arun set to change | Latest news

 

Arun District Council is proposing to improve the overall quality of public toilet provision in Arun by closing some conveniences in order to significantly improve others.

The proposals have been set out in a public convenience strategy report soon to be debated by councillors.

Recent public consultation showed only 34% of residents were satisfied with the standard of public toilets in Arun. Issues raised included aging facilities, lack of accessibility and problems with anti-social behaviour, partly due to the poor location of some facilities.

The Council hopes to tackle these issues by having fewer public toilets, but refurbishing ones in key areas to improve their quality and accessibility.

This includes introducing baby changing facilities to some toilets and ensuring they are suitable for people with disabilities.

The consultation showed the majority of respondents supported this approach.

The proposals are being made as part of Arun District Council’s 2020 Vision programme and aim to offer an improved customer experience and help the Council to become smaller, but more effective.

Councillor Paul Dendle, Arun District Council’s Cabinet Member for Leisure and Amenities, said: “Although the provision of public toilets is not a statutory service, Arun District Council recognises the importance of these facilities and is committed to improving the quality and retaining free to use toilets in key areas.

“In order to ensure that available funding is spent where it is most needed, we will need to close some public toilets but we believe we have public support for doing this and it will allow us to significantly raise the standard at the most-used facilities.

“In areas where Arun District Council is unable to prioritise public toilets, we hope to meet with the relevant town or parish council to discuss whether they would be prepared to secure this provision for the future.”

A report outlining the recommended strategic direction for the service will go to Arun District Council’s Environmental Services & Leisure Working Group on 28 June 2016, before a Cabinet decision on 25 July 2016.