NON-EXEMPT

EAST DISTRICT COUNCIL

Cabinet 13 September 2006

PROVISION OF NEW PUBLIC CONVENIENCES, HEADLEY ROAD CAR PARK, Environmental Health Technical Officer SMMR/4/06

FOR DECISION

REPORT DETAILS

PURPOSE OF REPORT

The report provides Cabinet with an opportunity to consider proposals for a new replacement Public Convenience in the Headley Road public car park in Grayshott. There will be a display of the proposed plans during the meeting to assist Cabinet in its decision.

RECOMMENDATIONS

1. That Cabinet gives approval to proceed with proposals for a new public toilet facility at Headley Road Car Park, Grayshott.

2. That authority to accept the successful tender is delegated to the Operations Director in consultation with the Environment Portfolio Holder and the Financial Services Manager.

RESOURCING IMPLICATIONS

1. Capital - Indicative costs of the new convenience will be £165,000 for which there is headroom in the current capital expenditure programme. A further request will be forwarded to ‘decision conferencing’ in respect of the Lady Place, Alton and toilets.

2. Revenue – The annual cost of cleaning, utility services and waste disposal is unlikely to change and may reduce due to the anti- vandalism measures designed into the construction.

CONSULTATION

Consultations have taken place with local elected Members, Grayshott Parish Council, villagers in an open presentation and the Crime Reduction Officer. All those consulted fully support the proposal in respect of location, design and layout. The design fully complies with the Disability Discrimination Act 2004.

CONTRIBUTION TO CORPORATE PRIORITIES: Building Successful Communities Providing Good Quality Services Protecting the Environment

Contact Officer: Brian Redwood Job Title: Environmental Health Technical Officer Telephone: 01730 234324 E-Mail: [email protected]

Report Title: Provision of New Public Conveniences, Headley Road Car Park, Grayshott Report Number: SMMR/4/06 Report of: Environmental Health Technical Officer Committee: Cabinet

PROVISION OF NEW PUBLIC CONVENIENCES, HEADLEY ROAD CAR PARK, GRAYSHOTT

1.0 BACKGROUND (REASON FOR REPORT)

1.1 A Best Value Review carried out during 2003/2004 showed that users were very dissatisfied with the public conveniences within our District. The review resulted in a Comprehensive Improvement Plan adopted by the Council to provide better facilities, with the aim of having “ loos to be proud of”.

1.2 Cabinet will be aware that the Council has now completed three major toilet improvement projects. The first in Blendworth Lane, , the second in the Central Car Park in and the third in the Petersfield Cemetery. The Blendworth Lane toilets won major national awards earlier this year and along with Petersfield Central toilets are entered in the forthcoming national 2006/07 competition. These examples are the model for all our future improvement projects.

2.0 SUBJECT OF REPORT

2.1 The existing toilet block within the Headley Road Car Park is located at the “gateway” to the village and opposite the War Memorial and recreation ground.

2.2 The toilet block is in a poor state of repair and outdated. Some damage to the structure is apparent and possibly caused by tree roots. Officers have carried out a full appraisal of the options available and have concluded that demolition and a complete rebuild is the prudent way forward.

2.3. A number of possible locations for the new toilets have been examined in terms of cost, security, protection from further tree root damage, visual intrusion etc. Appendix 1 shows a site plan of the car park with the proposed location of the loos marked in relation to the existing toilets.

2.4 The design of the new toilets is externally compatible with the style of adjacent buildings within the Conservation Area. High quality materials and finishes will be used both externally and internally. Appendix 2 offers a sketch impression of the new facility from the outside.

2.5 The facility will include two unisex, a fully accessible unisex unit and a ‘family’ unit with baby changing facilities, the toilets all backing onto a service corridor containing all the plumbing, drainage and electrical equipment accessible only to the service engineers. The scheme will also include an office for use by Hampshire Constabulary as a surgery Report Title: Provision of New Public Conveniences, Headley Road Car Park, Grayshott Report Number: SMMR/4/06 Report of: Environmental Health Technical Officer Committee: Cabinet

and drop in centre for their officers. The layout is both compact and yet offers flexibility for users. Appendix 3 shows the proposed internal layout. Officers are confident that the proposals will discourage vandalism and inappropriate use.

2.6 The new toilets require planning permission and an application based on the position, design and layout shown has been submitted. A decision on this is expected by the end of August. Tenders will be issued in October with work starting at the beginning of January 2007 with completion by the end of April 2007.

2.7 This proposal does not recommend an attendant or for an entry charge to be levied due to the rural location of Grayshott village. Providing an attendant would result in a cost considerably higher than the likely income. However, local opinion has identified that an improved facility will enjoy greater patronage than the old toilets, whose disrepair and unwelcoming design discouraged users.

2.8 The existing toilets will remain open during the construction phase of the new facility and upon completion will be demolished and the car park extended over that area.

3.0 RISK ASSESSMENT (TO INCLUDE ENVIRONMENTAL AND FINANCIAL RISKS)

3.1 There are no significant risks associated with the funding of the project. The successful completion of the new facilities in Petersfield and Horndean demonstrate that officers have the expertise to produce a high quality facility.

3.2 Vandalism has considerably reduced on both of the new facilities, leading to reduced repair costs.

4.0 CONTRIBUTION TO CORPORATE PRIORITIES

4.1 This proposal forms part of a wider Improvement Plan for the Council’s public convenience service. If this project does not proceed, the existing Grayshott toilets will continue to deteriorate both aesthetically and structurally and therefore eventually result in the necessity to demolish, leaving the village without public toilet facility.

4.2 Grayshott is an important area within and has an element of tourism throughout the year. Visitors and those coming into shop from the outlying areas undoubtedly form an impression about Grayshott and the extent to which the local community and the Council values and cares about public services. It is therefore vital to create a positive impression that will encourage people to return.

Report Title: Provision of New Public Conveniences, Headley Road Car Park, Grayshott Report Number: SMMR/4/06 Report of: Environmental Health Technical Officer Committee: Cabinet

4.3 Public conveniences provide a basic health need and they make a real contribution to “liveability” and environmental quality within our communities.

5.0 CONCLUSION

5.1 The report sets out a case for the demolition and rebuilding of the Grayshott public toilets, one of the key projects identified following the Best Value Review of all conveniences within the Council’s area.

EHDC Readability Level: 2.8/10

Report Title: Provision of New Public Conveniences, Headley Road Car Park, Grayshott Report Number: SMMR/4/06 Report of: Environmental Health Technical Officer Committee: Cabinet