Issue - meetings

Matter for Decision

 

To consider the outcome of work to determine suitable options for further more detailed investigation, to include consultation with the public to improve the existing City Council provided public toilets located beneath the Silver Street river bridge approach.

 

Decision of the Executive Councillor for Environment & Waste.

 

     i.        Agreed to the results of the scoping exercise on the various options identified in the Officer’s report, and support further development work (including detailed design and public consultation) on potential variations around Option 2 (street level on existing site).

 

Reason for the Decision

As set out in the Officer’s report.

 

Any Alterative Options Considered and Rejected

Not applicable.

 

Scrutiny Considerations

 

The Committee received a report from the Project Delivery Team Leader which referred to improving the existing City Council provided public toilets located beneath the Silver Street river bridge approach. 

 

The report outlined the difficulties and challenges faced in maintaining and operating the existing facilities, and the poor level of service they offered to users.  It also identified a number of constraints and potential opportunities associated with various options for their improvement.

 

Investigation and scoping work had been undertaken on a number of options as outlined in the Officer’s report.  This had involved the production of architectural concept drawings and a technical appraisal of the opportunities and constraints associated with each option, an indication of the likely costs involved in taking each forward and the views of key stakeholders including planning, conservation and heritage interests.

 

 

In response to Members’ questions the Project Delivery and Environment Manager and the Executive Councillor for Environment and Waste said the following:

 

     i.        If it would be possible to secure a site in the Mill Lane redevelopment would look to secure a nil cost to the City Council but this would be in consultation with the developers. It was not known when the redevelopment would begin. 

    ii.        Officers are liaising with key stakeholders regarding the diversion of the sewer run.

   iii.        To obtain consent to build above the existing sewer run within a 5 to 6 metre distance requires approval and consent.

  iv.        As the canopy for the disabled toilet was currently over the sewer run it was hoped that there could be a possibility to attach the new building to the canopy which would be in the 5 to 6 metre exclusion zone and no diversion needed.

   v.        A smaller building would have less impact to the area and a reduction in the number of cubicles should reduce the cost.

  vi.        The Equality Impact Assessment would continually be updated during the entire process.

 vii.        Option 3 of the Officer’s report would mean that the existing underground space couldn’t be re-used to any great extent.  

viii.        There was no guarantee that Queens Green would continue to be used as a coach stop but the existing site was a natural walk way to visit various sites. 

  ix.        Any income from the kiosk would be a token income. 

   x.        Cubicles would meet all equality requirements.

  xi.        New facilities at street level would be kept in the shroud of the willow trees on Silver Street to soften the impact as far as practicable.

 xii.        Fewer cubicles would equate to lower cleaning costs.

 

The Committee unanimously resolved to endorse the recommendation

 

The Executive Councillor approved the recommendation.

 

Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Executive Councillor and (and any Dispensations Granted)

 

No conflicts of interest were declared by the Executive Councillor.