Issue - meetings

Report of the Cabinet Member for Waste, Recycling and Street Services

RESOLVED THAT:

1.    the final concept for the Montpellier Gardens toilets as described in the report and at Appendix 2 be approved;

2.    authority be delegated to the Director of Finance, Assets and Regeneration, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Waste, Recycling and Street Services and the Borough Solicitor, to undertake the procurement and award the contract for a construction contractor to deliver the design.

The Cabinet Memberfor Waste, Recycling and Street Services recommended the report to Cabinet, and thanked all officers who had worked on this important project, which he was proud to have been part of, in securing funding from Gloucestershire County Council. He said the final design promotes fairness, and increases the provision Changing Places toilets, for those with severe disabilities,  on the south side of the town, in a park well-used for cultural events.  These facilities will complement Changing Places toilets currently found on the north side of the town centre in John Lewis store and Pittville Park, and it is hoped that further facilities will be provided in the future.  The design also doubles the number of standard disabled toilets, provides more female toilets, and two gender-neutral toilets, and general refurbishment of an important toilet block.  He commended the report to colleagues and hoped they would support the recommendations and move the project forward.

The Cabinet Member for Housing was particularly pleased to see an equal number of female and male toilets, gender-neutral toilets, and family room in both the female and male areas, all of which provided equality and equity.

The Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Culture, Tourism and Wellbeingsaid that a lot of places which welcome new visitors invest in upgrading toilets and making them more accessible, because this is something that people really value – the lack of good facilities can be a disincentive to visitors.  He hoped that the quality and provision of facilities can be expanded going forward, but the proposed toilets are in a flagship area, used by a lot of visitors, and Cheltenham can be proud of providing equity, equality and accessibility. 

The Leader also thanked the Cabinet Member for Waste, Recycling and Street Services for pushing ahead with this, noting that the council doesn’t have to provide public toilets, but has made the decision to invest where it can.  Given the current financial situation, it cannot refurbish all its facilities, but has listened to resident and businesses and set priorities on where to invest its limited financial resources.  These toilets will be a very welcome addition.

She invited Members to vote, where it was unanimously

RESOLVED THAT:

1.    the final concept for the Montpellier Gardens toilets as described in the report and at Appendix 2 be approved;

2.    authority be delegated to the Director of Finance, Assets and Regeneration, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Waste, Recycling and Street Services and the Borough Solicitor, to undertake the procurement and award the contract for a construction contractor to deliver the design.