Resolved:  That all items on the agenda be web-cast.

Apologies were received from Councillors Mrs Blackmore, Butler, Mrs Gooch and Yates due to their involvement in the production of the Overview and Scrutiny Review of Public Conveniences that would be discussed at the meeting.

It was noted that Councillors Mrs Hinder, Marshall, Mrs Marshall and Paine were substituting for Councillors Mrs Blackmore, Butler, Mrs Gooch and Yates respectively.

Resolved:  That Councillor Mrs Hinder be elected Chairman for the duration of the meeting.

[Councillor Mrs Hinder in the Chair]

It was noted that Councillors FitzGerald and Moriarty were in attendance to present their reasons for call-in.  Councillors Mortimer, Vizzard, Warner and F Wilson were visiting Members who wished to speak on Agenda Item 7, “Call-In: Public Conveniences”. Councillors Ash, Garland, Greer and Mrs Ring were visiting Members who wished to keep a listening brief.

a)  Disclosures of interest.

b)  Disclosures of lobbying.

c)  Disclosures of whipping.

There were no disclosures.

Resolved:  That all items be taken in public as proposed.

Interview with:

Councillor Mark Wooding, Cabinet Member for Environment;

Chair of the Environment and Leisure Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Councillor Mrs Blackmore; and

Assistant Director of Environmental Services, Steve Goulette.

[At this stage Councillor Mrs Blackmore entered the room in order to act as a witness for the call-in.]

Councillor FitzGerald and Moriarty presented their reasons for call-in (statements attached at Appendix A) to the Committee.

The Cabinet Member for Environment, Councillor Mark Wooding, stated that he was surprised by some of the reasons for call-in, in particular those suggesting a lack of detail, as he considered the Overview and Scrutiny (O&S) report to be very detailed, and this was supported by additional detail in the Report for Decision. He also highlighted that alternatives to closure of public conveniences had been detailed in the O&S report.  Councillor Wooding also suggested that calling in a decision based on an O&S report was also calling in the role of O&S and the Council’s democratic processes.  Councillor Wooding then raised a number of points in response to the call-in:

·  His key aim was to improve the quality of public conveniences in the Borough, as these were in a sub-standard condition and suffered from misuse.  He would prefer to provide 12 excellent facilities alongside a community toilet scheme than continue to provide more substandard facilities.

·  The cost per use of some facilities in the Borough was very high due to low usage.  This included the facilities at Parkwood and Shepway, and consequently the recommendation for closure of these had received cross-party support in the O&S report.

·  Providing public conveniences cost the Council £600,000 per year which was the second highest cost in Kent.

·  The Town Centre Management Street Scene sub-group had supported the closure of the Palace Avenue facilities.  These facilities had high usage but were not in a good location, suffered from significant levels of misuse and were considered an eyesore.

·  With regard to football teams using the Greens at Parkwood and Shepway, toilets were provided in the changing rooms.

·  It was accepted that the Fairmeadow facilities were in a good position and were important for the river, however the High Street Regeneration programme was moving forward and they were on part of the site planned for redevelopment; it was important that the site was made suitable for marketing and redevelopment. It was hoped that a new facility could be included on the site as part of the redevelopment.  These facilities also suffered from significant misuse and were already closed for part of the year when there was a threat of the river flooding.

·  The facilities at Church Street and Fairmeadow would not be closed until alternatives were found.

·  Community based schemes were working well in other councils, for example Richmond, and detailed work would be undertaken to implement this.

·  The closure of public toilets in parishes was a last resort; it was hoped that the Council could work with parish councils to hand over responsibility as it was felt that they could manage the facilities more efficiently.

Councillor Annabelle Blackmore, Chairman of the Environment and Leisure Overview and Scrutiny Committee that produced the Public Conveniences Review, stated  ...  view the full minutes text for item 37.

6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.