Agenda item

To deal with the following questions on notice, submitted under Committee Procedure 12.8:

4.1 PUBLIC TOILETS IN LOUGHBOROUGH TOWN CENTRE

     Question submitted by John Barton, resident.

4.2 FLORAL HANGING BASKETS IN LOUGHBOROUGH TOWN CENTRE

      Question submitted by John Barton, resident.

The following questions on notice, submitted under Committee Procedure 12.8 were considered by the Committee.

4.1 Public Toilets in Loughborough Town Centre

Question submitted by John Barton, resident:

Can we please have free-of-charge public toilets in Loughborough Town Centre, as we used to have before 2010?

Background to this question: At the last committee meeting, you discussed the state of Loughborough markets. You lamented the number of empty stalls, and the number of empty shops around the town. You talked about a decorative ‘gateway’ to the market, but you failed to talk about the one issue that is stopping people spending more time in Loughborough town centre, and stopping it from being a pleasant shopping venue, namely the exceedingly irritating charges on the public toilets.

The following response had been published prior to the meeting:

The Council continues to maintain 10 toilets across the Borough, with three in Loughborough town centre, at a total cost of £78,100. There are also toilets provided in some of our Parks and Open Spaces, the toilet in Queens Park is included within the town centre toilets. With reduced funding from central government, across all services, Councils are being encouraged to achieve full cost recovery of services. The 20p charge commenced in 2010, and has not increased since that point in time. A Council led consultation at the time asked the public whether they should close or charge, the public voted in favour of the nominal charge. With 175,260 users each year, the toilets generate approximately £35,000 income which goes towards the maintenance of the toilets and employment of staff to clean and secure them.

In making the statement, Mr Barton reiterated that he considered the public toilets should be made free again in order to make Loughborough Town Centre a more welcoming place to visit. He also stated that the income only covered approximately half of the cost of providing the facilities.

The Strategic Director for Neighbourhoods and Community Wellbeing reminded Members’ that the Committee only has a consultative role in relation to matters of policy and strategic direction which relate to or affect the Loughborough town area. 

The Committee thanked Mr Barton for submitting the question, and following discussion it was put forward that the charging policy for the three toilets in Loughborough town centre be considered as part of the 2018/19 budgetary process for the Loughborough Special Expenses.

4.2 Floral Hanging Baskets in Loughborough Town Centre

Question submitted by John Barton, resident:

Why is Loughborough spending so much money on floral hanging baskets if it cannot even afford free public toilets? These hanging baskets are so large and numerous that they are a road safety hazard. When crossing Jubilee Way in a Westerly direction at its junction with Baxter Gate, and at the central reservation looking Southward along the North-bound carriageway, the hanging baskets obscure the view of traffic for pedestrians.

The following response had been published prior to the meeting:

Loughborough in Bloom is important to many residents, visitors and local businesses. It brings colour and vibrancy to the town. There is strong community support for the programme. And the current programme is supported by the Council, Loughborough University, local Businesses and around 35 community groups.

The majority of the hanging baskets in the town are funded by local businesses through their Business Improvement District levy.

The planting boxes around Jubilee Way are funded through sponsorship by Serco. They have been installed with the approval of Leicestershire County Council, acting in their capacity as the Highways Authority, and they are satisfied that the presence of the boxes and plants does not add any additional risks for pedestrians or drivers.

In making the statement, Mr Barton explained that in his opinion the hanging baskets on Jubilee Way were obscuring the view of the traffic, and that an inspection should take place.  He also reiterated that the monies spent on floral baskets would be better spent on other services and facilities.

The Strategic Director for Neighbourhoods and Community Wellbeing reminded Members’ that the Committee only has a consultative role in relation to matters of policy and strategic direction which relate to or affect the Loughborough town area.

The Committee thanked Mr Barton for his question and highlighting his concerns.  The Strategic Director for Neighbourhoods and Community Wellbeing re-stated that the majority of the hanging baskets in the town are funded by local businesses through their Business Improvement District levy.