Decision details

A review of toilet provision has been requested by cabinet via star chamber.

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Barry)

It was noted that the meeting had been summoned in accordance with Section 100A (6) of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985.  A decision was required urgently by virtue that any recommendation from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for Cabinet to reconsider the decision would have budgetary implications and would need to be considered by Cabinet prior to Budget Council on 4^th March, 2009. 

Cabinet considered the recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, held prior to the meeting of Cabinet.  The Committee had requested consideration of the referral which was as a result of the Call-in of Cabinet’s decision regarding the Public Toilet Review (Cabinet Minute 140 refers).  Members were provided with the report and minute of the Cabinet meeting held on 17^th February 2009, when the original decision had been made. 

It was moved by Councillor Bryning and seconded by Councillor Blamire:-

“(1)   That the recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee be agreed and that savings be made from the following budgets: 

£12,000 savings from the mothballing of the 2 public toilets located at Regent Road and those adjacent to the Dome, Morecambe. 

£11,000 additional savings from the Communications and Marketing Review, resulting in total savings of £41,000 in Year 1 and £61,000 for Years 2 and beyond. (To be achieved by including Your District Matters in the totality of the expenditure as part of the review.). 

£31,000 of growth to be removed, in relation to the recurring item for Schools Recycling of £7,000 per year, and the one-off item for undertaking a Review of Parish Financial Arrangements. 

By way of amendment it was moved by Councillor Fletcher and accepted by the mover and seconder of the original proposition as a friendly amendment: -

“That with regard to the Community Toilet Scheme the Council continues to discuss proposals for the use of toilets with local businesses.” 

By way of further amendment it was moved by Councillor Mace and seconded by Councillor Charles: -

“That the recommendations from the Overview and Scrutiny be referred to Budget Council.” 

Upon being put to the vote 2 Members (Councillors Charles and Mace) voted in favour of the amendment, 3 Members (Councillors Blamire, Bryning and Fletcher) voted against and 4 Members abstained from voting (Councillors Archer, Burns, Gilbert and Kerr), whereupon the Chairman declared the amendment lost. 

Members then voted on the substantive motion, as amended, as follows. 

Resolved:

(7 Members (Councillors Archer, Blamire, Bryning, Burns, Fletcher, Gilbert and Kerr) voted in favour and 2 Members (Charles and Mace) voted against).

(1)     That the toilets remain open with the exception of Regent Road and those adjacent to the Dome, Morecambe and that savings be made from the following budgets: 

£12,000 savings from the mothballing of the 2 public toilets located at Regent Road and those adjacent to the Dome, Morecambe. 

£11,000 additional savings from the Communications and Marketing Review, resulting in total savings of £41,000 in Year 1 and £61,000 for Years 2 and beyond. (To be achieved by including Your District Matters in the totality of the expenditure as part of the review.). 

£31,000 of growth to be removed, in relation to the recurring item for Schools Recycling of £7,000 per year, and the one-off item for undertaking a Review of Parish Financial Arrangements. 

(2)     That the Parish and Town Councils be consulted as to whether they would be prepared to take over the toilets in the long term. 

(3)     That with regard to the Community Toilet Scheme the Council continues to discuss proposals for the use of toilets with local businesses. 

Officers responsible for effecting the decision:

Corporate Director (Community Services). 

Head of City Council (Direct) Services. 

Reasons for making the decision:

The decision was made in line with the recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.  It enables Cabinet’s revised recommendations on the schedule of Savings and Growth proposals to be considered at Budget Council on 4^th March, 2009.  With regard to savings it was noted that if the savings from the overall budget for Communications and Marketing Review are agreed by Council, this would be achieved by including Your District Matters in the totality of the expenditure as part of the review.