Agenda item

A report by the Deputy Chief Executive - Delivery

The Deputy Chief Executive for Programme Delivery presented the report advising that following a consultation exercise with key members and stakeholders, including Parish Councils, Boston had bid for funding to support the installation of 5 changing places toilets in and around the Town Centre in late Summer 2022.  The sites that were bid for were Central Park. Wide Bargate, Lincoln Lane, The Blenkin Memorial Hall and Boston College.  Four of the five sites has been successful with Boston College failing to meet the criteria due to it being classed as a new build and as such, not eligible. 

However, committee were then advised that there was a question mark over progressing with the Blenkin Memorial site due to it potentially not satisfying the criteria in respect of the size of the facility.  Members were advised that enquiries were being made elsewhere to try and retain the funding and fourth facility.  Discussion would be held in respect of a possible relocation to the Church (St. Botolph’s) and suggestions for alternative sites were welcomed.  Should an alternative site not be found then the funding would need to be handed back, it could not be used for the remaining three facilities.

The funding applications had been heavily over- subscribed and in March of this year, the Government announced that Boston would receive £210k of funding to support the installation of 4 toilets. That compared to a total £660k for the provision of 15 toilets within the South East Lincolnshire partnership and £920k for the whole of Lincolnshire for the provision of 23 toilets.  Latest market testing showed that costs of installation would be approximately £75k per toilet. That meant that the match funding requirement was approximately £23k per toilet.  Blenkin had at that time agreed that they will meet the costs of any additional funding over and above their allocation of £52k, however in light of the update information that position could change.  The additional support required from the Council was around £70k to support the installation of 3 additional toilets.  Members were reminded that should they wish to reduce the number of toilets then the funding would be reduced proportionately.  It was anticipated that most of the revenue running costs could be absorbed within existing budgets as the facilities would be located next to existing toilets and as such, inspection costs could be accommodated within existing staff budgets. The additional costs were likely to be repairs and maintenance, consumables, and annual testing. These were not expected to be significant.  In conclusion, committee were advised it was a good news story for the town enabling those within society who were prohibited from visiting the town due to their need for this type of facility, would be able to visit and support and enjoy the town’s park and other attractions along with the shopping and catering provisions.

Committee deliberation followed which included support of the facilities from most members.  Whilst concern was tabled at the inclusion of a pod within the site at Central Park due to it having been subject to historic vandalism, the majority of members agreed the location as being suitable because of its proximity to the park’s attractions and agreed that potential vandalism was not a reason to reject the site.  It was further noted that the historic problems had arisen overnight when the site had been opened 24/7 which was no longer the case.  

Suggestions for a site for the fourth pod, should it not be accommodated within the Church, included putting the pod onto Fish Hill which the Council owned and which would have easy access to plumbing at the old Assembly Room toilets; locating them at Boston Town’s Ground near to Witham Park, again on land that the Council owned in the vicinity of the Club and also possibly securing a location within the Pump Square area of the town.  There was agreement that the fourth facility should not be lost and that ideally it would be sited within the Church in the centre of the town with an external access point due the restriction of the opening hours. 

The Deputy Chief Executive thanked the committee for the suggestions and advised he would look at them and any additional ideas members may have.  He further reassured members that the facilities would be free of any entry charge and that increased security in accessing them would be by a skeleton key, supported by either a QR code or a key pad access number.

Members also pointed out that they had been very disappointed when historically the toilets within the town had been closed down and they would like all the current facilities to be improved for the able bodied residents, but recognised that was a subject for another review. 

The Portfolio Holder addressed the meeting confirming she fully supported the installation of all four pods.  She stressed the need to be more inclusive and agreed the provision of a pod at Central Park which was a destination with the multiple facilities therein.  Referencing the possible location of a pod at Boston Town FC, the Portfolio Holder voiced caution at the lack of CCTV coverage on the site which could render the pod vulnerable and as such, back up security would be required.

RESOLVED:

1.     To approve an addition of £300k to the Capital programme to support the installation of 4 new changing places toilets. £230k of this will be met from government grants and external funding so a use of reserves of £70k is requested.

2.     To agree the installation of 4 new toilets within the Town, 3 of which will be under the control of the Council.