Broxtowe councillors are to review the future of public toilets at Broadgate in Beeston following repeated problems with anti-social behaviour, vandalism and rising maintenance costs.
The council says that location, next to Broadgate Park, has contributed to “significant operational challenges”, including illicit drug use, misuse of accessible facilities and repeated incidents leaving the toilets in unacceptable and hazardous conditions.
It says there has also been an increase in the severity of incidents, including threats made towards Town Centre Attendants when they attend the site.
No final decision on the future of the Broadgate toilets is due to be made at this stage.
The review follows the development and opening of modern, accessible toilet facilities in Beeston Square. The report says that new provision means the role and necessity of the Broadgate toilets can now be reconsidered.
The council says the Broadgate facility has been subject to repeated misuse, including extreme fouling, with excrement deliberately spread across walls and floors. It says this creates health and safety risks for staff and users.
Persistent vandalism has also caused frequent damage to fixtures and fittings, including broken locks and damaged handrails. The report also refers to the repeated disruption of consumables, such as paper towels being scattered throughout the building.
These issues have led to a high level of reactive maintenance and increased operational costs.
It adds that monitoring and intervention are further constrained because the toilets are some distance from the Town Centre Attendant base, limiting the ability to manage incidents effectively and maintain acceptable standards of cleanliness and safety.
The ongoing cost of maintaining a public toilet facility is estimated at around £20,000 a year.
It adds that the cost, and any potential savings, linked to each option would need to be fully costed before any future Cabinet approval. Some options may require additional revenue or capital funding, which would need to be considered against the council’s limited General Fund capital resources, which are already committed elsewhere.
The report also notes that, under Section 87 of the Public Health Act 1936, as amended, councils may provide public toilets in proper and convenient locations. This means public toilet provision is a discretionary service rather than a statutory requirement. The report says any discretion should be exercised reasonably and with a clear, objective rationale.
The report also refers to earlier work presented to Cabinet on 5 December 2023, which looked at developing a strategy to improve access to public toilet facilities across the borough.
If scrutiny councillors support the recommendation, officers will carry out further work before returning with a preferred option for the committee to consider.
