Issue - meetings

Question from Murray Finch, Mull and Iona Community Trust

 

The below question was read out by the Committee Manager;

 

Public Conveniences on the Isle Mull

 

Closure of the public conveniences at Salen, Bunessan and Ulva Ferry is causing problems for local people and visitors needing to use the toilets. Despite what may have been anticipated when the council decided to close the toilets, these areas are very busy with high numbers of visitors. Many of the hospitality businesses on the island remain closed, thereby denying that option for people to access a toilet. The consequence of high visitor numbers and no toilets is entirely predictable; residents are encountering human faeces around villages and toilet blocks. The delayed start to the tourist season will result in many accommodation providers and tour boat and wild-life tour operators extending their season until the end of October and beyond.

 

Please ask the Council to arrange the opening of the public toilets at Bunessan, Salen and Ulva Ferry as a matter of urgency to address the real risk of community transmission of Covid19, E Coli, Hepatitis and similar diseases which is posed by the toilets remaining closed and exposure to human faeces in the environment. The toilets should be open and cleaned with whatever regime is appropriate until at least the end of October. Beyond October, the toilets should remain open and if the visitor numbers reduce then the requirement for enhanced cleaning frequency could be reduced back to normal.

 

This Question is asked jointly by the following organisations;

Moray Finch, General Manager of Mull and Iona Community Trust

Andrena Duffin, Convenor of Mull Community Council

Morven Gibson, General Manager of South West Mull and Iona Development

Colin Morrison, Chair of North West Mull Community Woodland Company

Colin Morrison, Chair of Marketing Mull and Iona

 

Response from Head of Roads and Amenity Services

 

The below response was read out by the Committee Manager;

 

Public conveniences were closed across Scotland in March as the result of COVID-19.

 

The Council worked with other local authorities, the National Park and COSLA to provide information which was then used by the Scottish Government to help formulate national guidance which was published on 27 June. 

 

We have taken the view that it would be unwise not to comply with that national guidance which clearly states that:

 

It should not be assumed that hygiene measures in place pre Covid19 will be sufficient.  Enhanced cleaning is likely to be required and should take into account:    

 

•           Frequency – should be increased beyond what has been the case before Covid 19 and should be based on a risk assessment.

•           Products used – should be a disinfectant not detergent based product. 

•           Areas of particular concern – it is important that attention is paid to frequently touched areas including toilet flush, toilet seat, toilet locks and handles, taps, paper towel and soap dispensers and door handles on access/entry.

 

Unfortunately these toilets, along with another 20 across the Council area, did not reopen simply because we do not have the resources to reopen all toilets while complying with national guidance on enhanced cleaning etc.

 

There is no statutory requirement for local authorities to provide public conveniences and therefore no grant aided expenditure allocation has been made by the Scottish Government to support this service.

 

There are cost implications for the Council in opening the toilets we have opened over and above the normal budget for toilets.

 

The additional expenditure for the remobilisation agreed up until 30 August is estimated to be £25,518.  The ongoing cost to keep the existing arrangements in place is estimated to be £10,398 per month, alongside a reduction in other services such as street cleansing and grounds maintenance as some staff are being used from these service areas to support the enhanced cleaning. 

 

Of the 35 facilities currently open it is likely that from 1 November at least 10-15 PCs will have to close to manage the service within the normal budget. 

 

Ultimately the Council has taken a policy decision on the remobilisation of public conveniences and that these facilities should remain closed.

 

More detail is available in a recent report to the Council’s Business Continuity Committee on 13 August 2020.

 

https://www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/moderngov/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=641&MId=13789 

 

Lastly, the availability or otherwise of a public convenience does not take away from the fact that toileting in public is completely irresponsible. It is disappointing to hear that residents are encountering human faeces around villages – these instances should be reported to Police Scotland in the first instance.

 

Response from Committee Members

 

Discussion focused on the possibility of redirecting funding from other areas including the options available for the council to collaborate with community groups on Mull when looking at local funding options and volunteers. The Committee Manger confirmed that he would contact the Community Development team for confirmation on what had been explored and include this information in the written response to be issued to Mr Finch.

 

Question from Gavin MacLean, Oban Resident

 

Mr MacLean asked if the Committee would consider the health and welfare of local residents when considering the motion on the agenda which proposed exploring options to deal with unauthorised caravan parking at Ganavan Sands. Marri Malloy, Oban Community Council spoke in support of Mr MacLean’s comments.

 

Response from Committee Members

 

The Chair, Councillor Kieron Green and Councillor Julie McKenzie confirmed that should the motion be passed a consultation over the proposals would take into account all views from the community.