Agenda for Environment & Economy Select Committee on Wednesday, 1 August 2018, 6.00pm

Agenda and decisions

Venue: Shimkent Room - Daneshill House, Danestrete. View directions

Contact: Lisa Jerome - Tel 01438 242203 

Items
No. Item

1.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE AND DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Decision:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Brown and Kelly.

 

Councillor McGuiness declared a personal interest in item 3 relating to public toilet provision in the town as he was employed as the Campaigns Manager for Crohns and Colitis UK.

2.

MINUTES - 13 JUNE 2018 pdf icon PDF 67 KB

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Select Committee held on 13 June 2018.

Decision:

It was RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Environment and Economy Select Committee held on 13 June 2018 are approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

 

It was noted that the items relating to the Licence to Occupy procedures and the review of the Direct Services Business Unit would be submitted to the October meeting of the Committee.

3.

PRESENTATION ON PUBLIC TOILETS

To receive a presentation from the Assistant Director (Stevenage Direct Services).

Decision:

The Committee received a presentation from the Assistant Director Direct Services on the current situation regarding the provision of toilets in the Town including the New Town Centre (Joy Ride), Old Town Centre (Middle Row) and Stevenage Indoor Market.

 

Members were concerned regarding the opening times and accessibility of toilets during the evening, particularly with the regeneration of the town centre and the night time economy offer. The Assistant Director advised that this issue would form part of the discussions around the regeneration proposals including the potential for toilets to be listed as part of the new wayfinder information.

 

In response to a question, the Committee was advised that the Town Centre (Joy Ride) facilities had come to the end of their serviceable life and required replacement. The works had also given the Council an opportunity to review and enhance the cleansing arrangements for the facilities.

 

It was agreed that safety and cleanliness of the facilities were the main considerations but that different styles of facilities should be looked at during the regeneration of the Town. The importance of inclusiveness and accessibility was also stressed with the requirement for ease of access to a functioning disabled toilet including for those with hidden disabilities. Members were supportive of the ‘can’t wait’ card issued by Crohns and Colitis UK as a discreet mechanism to access toilet facilities and agreed that more promotion was needed in this area.

 

It was RESOLVED that the presentation be noted.

 

 

 

 

4.

URGENT PART 1 BUSINESS

To consider any Part 1 business accepted by the Chair as urgent.

Decision:

None.

5.

EXCLUSION OF PUBLIC AND PRESS

To consider the following motions –

 

1.  That under Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as described in paragraphs1 – 7 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act as amended by Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006.

 

2.  That Members consider the reasons for the following reports being in Part II and determine whether or not maintaining the exemption from disclosure of the information contained therein outweighs the public interest in disclosure.

 

Decision:

Not required.

6.

URGENT PART II BUSINESS

To consider any Part II business accepted by the Chair as urgent.

Decision:

None.