Issue - meetings

Report of the Director of Services

Presented by the Community Services Portfolio Holder

The Community Services Portfolio Holder presented the report to Members. She thanked Mrs Lacey MBE and Mrs Follows for attending the meeting and submitting the petition that was presented at Council on the 17 May. She advised Members that the toilets at the market had not been open for 20 years on a Sunday and in 2014 the decision was made to close Ashby toilets due to minimal usage.

Councillor A V Smith informed Members that following consideration of the petition and consultation with the Coalville Special Expenses Working Party she was pleased to propose that a trial opening of the public toilets at the market would take place for 5 months (10am – 4pm) from 29 August to 29 January 2017. She advised that the park wardens would carry out the opening and closing duties on the day at a cost of £1,300 for the period of the trial and it was proposed to set aside a further £700 for any unforeseen costs therefore a total cost of £2k. She reminded Members that the Coalville Special Expenses Working Party had proposed to match any contribution agreed by Cabinet and therefore sought approval for £1000 to be set aside from the underspend reserve for the trial.

Councillor T Gillard thanked Mrs Lacey MBE and Mrs Follows for submitting the petition.

Councillor A V Smith stated that it was important to have facilities available and hoped that users would respect and look after them.

It was moved by Councillor A V Smith, seconded by Councillor T Gillard and

RESOLVED THAT:

1.    A trial period of Sunday opening for Coalville Market toilets as outlined within the report be agreed.

2.    A budget of £2,000 with £1,000 from in year General Fund underspends matched by £1,000 from Coalville Special Expense reserves is set aside.

3.    Authority to make any changes to the duration of the trial period and/or operational matters be delegated to the Director of Services in consultation with the Portfolio Holder.

Reason for decision: In response to the presentation of an Ordinary petition as per the Council’s Constitution