Agenda item

A briefing is enclosed from Loos for Southwark – a group of local residents supported by Age UK London. Local residents will be attending to present.

The chair drew member’s attention to a briefing enclosed from Loos for Southwark – a group of local residents supported by Age UK London.  She then invited John McGeachy, Campaigns Manager, Age UK London to present and local resident loo campaigners Thelma Purcell, Eileen Conn and Carol Vincent to introduce themselves.

Members were then invited to ask questions and the following points were made:

·  Members asked about the consequences of insufficient toilets; in places such as Peckham where there is poor provision. Campaigners said this a Public Health issue and they have seen men urinating in the street, children held over gutters, and then there is the unseen issue of people not coming out.

·  Several years ago there was a petition of 4,000 people for a toilet at Peckham Town Centre.

·  The plan at Peckham Rye station is understood to be a toilet behind the barriers, however this is unclear and residents have been unable to get clarity on delivery and how these will be operated. This is an example of the need for transparency and early dialogue with local people.

·  A toilet strategy with early engagement with the community, including business, in advance of published plan, would be the best approach. It is crucial that the views of a wide range of people are heard so the community can get the type of toilet that is really needed and problems such as anti-social behaviour are mitigated.

·  A member commented that there are toilets at leisure centres and libraries however people do not know about them and more information would help in advance of delivery of Peckham Rye Station toilet.

·  Member raised concern about the loss of the Camberwell Green automatic loo, which may be the result of anti-social behaviour. 

·  A member asked if installation of stand up Pissoirs would improve provision. John McGeachy said that this could help male delivery drivers, however there is the principle of potty parity for sex .

·  It was suggested that a councillor toilet champion would be helpful.

·  Campaigners said a Community Toilet scheme with good engagement with business would be welcome.  There are several good examples of community toilet schemes: Lewisham is very good at engagement, Richmond is considered to have one of the best schemes and Merton is revisiting its scheme. Campaigners cautioned that a while a good Community Toilet scheme can contribute to expanded provision they are only one part of the solution.

·  Member asked why a strategy was being recommended and the campaigners said that often in councils often there are lots of officers doing different things so a good plan is about joining up and coordinating delivery.

·  Campaigners said that a good toilet strategy would also focus on bringing partners together, engagement and better information. This can all help with delivery when there are budget constraints. A good plan is about the community being kept updated and the council and partners held accountable.  There also is a need for a London wide plan and ultimately government funding.

·  A member asked campaigners if provision of toilets ought to be considered an equalities issue and the loo campaigners said yes, absolutely. They said otherwise people cannot get out and about.  It is also about health and wellbeing, participation, especially with an aging society. There is also a race issue here, as it is often easier for white women to access provision in pubs, whereas for a black women this is harder. 

·  Members suggest a signs on local business such as “use our loo”. Members commented that unfortunately some pubs discourage use which is a shame users might also be potential customers. Campaigners said attitudes of business owners can vary a lot.

·  Members asked about Radar key holders and how accessible and easy to use they are. A campaigner said that Radar loos are often not open and of recent her dentist and other places no longer provide them. It is a big problem when out and about – it is possible to traverse Oxford Street and find none. She said this really impacts on older people, and added that another issue is accessible loos being too small and not fit for purpose.

·  The chair and members thanked the campaigners.