Agenda item

To provide the Committee an update regarding the Changing Places Toilets facilities project across the district.

The Cabinet Member for Environment and Waste introduced the report.

In July 2021 the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities announced the opening for Expressions of Interest bids for a share of a £30M pot to provide Changing Places toilets in existing, publicly accessible buildings.

Changing Places toilets were larger accessible toileting facilities for severely disabled people, with equipment such as hoists, curtains, adult-sized changing benches and space for carers.

In March 2022 the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) informed the Council that its bid had been successful and that it had been awarded the maximum £160,000.  This was reported at Cabinet on 29 March 2022.

The funding is awarded to cover a two-year period for completion of the project.  DLUHC has confirmed that the works will need to be completed by 31 March 2024 to avoid any of the funding being returned.

Rural and Communities were previously provided with an update on this project at their meeting on 11 October 2023.  Since then, there had been significant progress made at the locations in Grantham and Bourne but sadly there will be no facility at Stamford.

An updated position for each identified location was provided:

South Street Bourne

The facility had been introduced within the closed former public conveniences at South Street, Bourne and the building has been modified to include a full changing places facility which are equipped with ceiling track hoists, privacy screens, support rails and height-adjustable, adult-sized changing benches.  The facility also included reconfiguration of the former public conveniences and was scheduled to be competed and open from the end of March 2024.    

Wyndham Park Grantham

This facility had been introduced within the Memorial Arch building at Wyndham Park which was being used as a grounds maintenance as an informal storage area.  The new facility included a fully compliant Changing Places provision and was scheduled to open from Monday 5^th February 2024. 

Grantham Meres Leisure Centre Grantham

This facility had been introduced utilising a former medical space at the Meres Leisure Centre, which had been relocated as part of the works and had been operational since April 2023.

In all cases, the design and layout had complied with the Changing Places standard which has enabled the grant to be awarded to contribute towards the funding of the 3 locations.

The Deputy Chief Executive confirmed that the Government, whilst recognising that the allocated £40,000 per location does not meet the actual costs of installing the facility, had been unable to offer additional funding and therefore the financial shortfall has had to be met by the Council’s own budgets as Stamford Town Council were unable to do so.  The Officer confirmed that if there was a further phase of grant support, sites would include Stamford and the Deepings.

This report provided the final position of the Changing Places project and brings it to a conclusion. Should any further Changing Places funding announcements be made then the Committee would be notified accordingly.  

Members raised the following points during discussion:

·       Could the funds that were unable to be used in Stamford now be made available to assist in the refurbishment of toilets on Conduit Lane, Grantham?

·       A Member noted that there were no sites at the Deepings within this project as the site previously confirmed was within the Deepings Leisure Centre.

·       A Member confirmed that the Deepings Community Centre Trust were willing to upgrade their facilities, should a second phase of funding become available.

·       Finding further funding remained a priority and it was unfortunate that Central Government were unable to provide enough funding at this time.

The Senior Assets Officer informed the Committee that that the funds were to be allocated by 31 March 2024 and that unfortunately there was insufficient time to incorporate the Conduit Lane refurbishment.

The Cabinet Member for Environment and Waste confirmed that all areas within the district were to be considered where further funding streams became available.  The Deepings and Stamford will be prioritised as it should not be that people are excluded from their communities.

The Rural and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee reviewed and noted the outcomes achieved from the Changing Places Toilets facilities project.