Review outcome plots the largest network of public toilets in UK

Scourie toilet

Public toilets at Scourie

Contrary to some newspaper reporting, only 9 of the 94 public toilets which the Highland Council currently manages, are earmarked for closure and these are where there are alternative facilities close by.

Amongst the 29 toilets originally considered for rationalisation, several have been recommended for retention as council run facilities. These include Achmelvich, Station Brae in Fort William, Lairg, West Beach Nairn,  Rhiconich, Scourie, Smoo Cave, Tarbet and Dingwall.

There are considerable opportunities for the Council, through working in partnership with communities and other alternative service providers, to deliver strategic facilities that support tourism across the Highlands and address the increase in visitor numbers on smaller local facilities.

In addition to 94 Council managed toilets, the Council also provides 28 Comfort Schemes through the private sector and community groups and a wide range of other publicly available facilities have been mapped around the Highlands totalling 201 locations.

toilet map

Map plotting 201 public toilets across Highland

Following engagement with stakeholders, there is potential for Asset Transfers of the facilities at Avoch, Elgol, Helmsdale, Rosemarkie (and Portmahomack to be operated by the community in the winter).

Preparations are being made for the sale on the open market of 4 toilets, with retention of a public convenience as a condition of sale. These are at Kinlochewe,  Kylesku, Harbour Road, Nairn and Talmine.

Due to the availability of alternative service provision nearby and the lack of expressions of interest from alternative service providers, a small number of facilities are identified to close after 31 October 2018. The seasonal facilities in Caithness are subject to further discussion with Elected Members to see if alternative non-Council run services can be found. Fortrose is also a seasonal facility and the Council will continue to work with stakeholders over the winter to retain this facility if an appropriate business case can be made. The Council will also continue to work with partners to retain the North Kessock facility if an appropriate business case can be made.

A further outcome of the Review will be the creation of 10 mobile teams that will service many of the facilities. This approach will lead to the creation of up to 18 full-time posts, reducing the number of full-time equivalents required to provide the service by 11.

This model will increase the efficiency and cost effectiveness of the service, improve arrangements; and provide opportunities for full-time employment. A pilot of new mobile working practices and operational structures within the service was launched in Lochaber  during the summer, and is being rolled out to Badenoch and Strathspey in October.  It is proposed to have all new mobile teams operational by early 2019.

Chair of the Council’s Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee, Councillor Allan Henderson said: “The Highland Council provide, by far, the biggest network of public conveniences in the UK and with the changes we plan to make, will still provide the most public toilets of any Council. The headline of “pulling the plug on most public toilets” is simply untrue.

“Public toilets are an important part of our tourist infrastructure, but we needed to consider where they are actually most needed and used together with the limited and dwindling resources we have available to provide this non statutory service.

“This Review and our work with partners will actually enhance the strategic toilet portfolio across the Highlands. The eventual outcome will make for a comprehensive network of facilities with far better facilities than we have now and a better system of management.”

A report will be considered at the Highland Council’s meeting on 25 October.

ends

Not included in the 94 Council toilets are: Burnside and Dornoch facilities. There is a Council-run facility on the High Street in Grantown and Local Members have already agreed that the Burnfield facility in Grantown should close. One of the Dornoch facilities (Dornoch Beach has been taken over earlier this year by the local community.

 

 

 

23 Oct 2018