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DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST MADE FOR THIS ITEM:
 
None
 

RESOLVED:
 
That Cabinet:
 
1.   
Noted the findings from the consultation and stakeholder?engagement
work and that these informed the development of the strategy and
actions.

2.   
Approved the development and publication of the Haringey Toilet
Strategy and action plan (Appendix 1).

3.   
Noted and thanked the contributions of residents from the Loos for
Haringey group in helping identify the need for the strategy and
supporting its development.

 

Reasons for decision:
 
The strategy set out
twenty actions to support the continued improvement and management
of toilet facilities in the borough. All actions had been reviewed
and agreed by the Toilet Strategy Delivery Group, which was a
cross?council officer group supported by residents from Loos for
Haringey. Best?practice guidance had been sought from other teams,
including equalities and diversity, to ensure that the
recommendations were evidence?based.
Recommendations were
developed around the five strategic priorities in the strategy to
address key cross?cutting issues:
• Location of
public toilets and gaps in provision
• Planning and transport
• Safety and hygiene
• Inclusive access
• Communication and signage
 
By approving the
Haringey Toilet Strategy, the Council aimed to:
• Improve the
overall standard of existing and planned toilets in Haringey,
particularly in Tottenham and the east of the borough where
“loo deserts” existed.
• Address gaps in toilet provision to ensure future facilities
were suitably located in areas of greatest need, such as parks,
green spaces and shopping centres.
• Ensure integration of toilet provision into the
Council’s wider planning and transport agenda, for example
through the new Local Plan for Haringey and through links with key
organisations such as Transport for London and the NHS.
• Provide more inclusive access for user groups with diverse
needs, including older residents, people with long?term conditions
and parents/families.
• Improve the provision of Changing Places facilities for
people with multiple and complex disabilities.
• Help tackle wider public?health issues such as loneliness
and social isolation, where some people felt unable to leave their
homes due to a lack of adequate facilities.
• Improve safety and address anti?social behaviour, including
graffiti and street urination, where these had been identified as
concerns.
• Support the objectives set out in key plans and strategies
such as Haringey 2035 – Our Vision, to create a
thriving place and tackle inequalities in health and wellbeing.

 

Alternative options considered:
 
Do nothing: leaving
toilet facilities as they were. This was not considered a feasible
option because:
• A lack of
accessible and clean facilities risked worsening public?health
issues such as loneliness and social isolation, as some residents
might have chosen not to leave their homes due to insufficient
facilities.
• Clean and accessible toilet facilities were crucial for
economically successful and inclusive high streets across
Haringey.