Memorandum by the Normanton and Altofts
Senior Citizens Association
Firstly a very sincere "thank you"
for the opportunity of making a submission and offering observations
on the very important topic of the provision of public toilets.
Because of the alleged reserved nature of the British public,
taboos sometimes surround the discussion and debates of such topics
but there is a compelling need to remove its "hidden agenda"
label.
A civilized, caring society should surely be
concerned with the adequate provision of public toilets. Life
experience teaches one that the absence of such provision causes
embarrassment, painful difficulties and personal inconvenience
(apologies for the corny pun).
Since we are an organisation concerned with
the welfare of the elderly may we make a special plea for the
concerns and problems of our age-group to be given particular
consideration. Together with sight, hearing, memory and joint
difficulties the unfortunate truth is that with increasing age
the "plumbing" and ancillary services also diminish
in effectiveness and reliability and therefore place an urgent
priority on availability of public toilets.
It is very true that for many elderly individuals
such simple every-day occurrences such as a shopping trip or a
day out or a journey of any kind will require a sound knowledge
of the likely public toilet provision. Kind carers, helpers and
relatives will be aware of the issue but only bitter experience
can genuinely register the anxiety and severe discomfort suffered
by the victim. That this need for public toilets is so often overlooked
is a sad stain on any community or authority that regards itself
as caring and considerate.
WE MAINTAIN
THEREFORE THAT
AN ADEQUATE
PROVSION OF
PUBLIC TOILETS
IS AN
ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENT
OF ANY
CARING SOCIETY
WORTHY OF
THE NAME
Having stated the case for the elderly there
is also a very real need to take into consideration the particular
needs of the disabled—very often a sad complement to being
old!! It should not be overlooked either, that as grandparents
we are very often presented with the "joy" of locating
toilet facilities for grandchildren.
Who should pay?
Ideally of course provision should be free!
However since we are bombarded with news and publicity concerning
the financial plight of local authorities and the many honourable
claims on limited resources—most elderly folk would not
object to a reasonable fee!!—say 10p—above 20p would
be regarded as unreasonable!
BUSINESS PROVISION
OF TOILETS
IS A
DELICATE AREA
Without scare-mongering all kinds of difficulties
can arise in a simple "walk off the street" context
where a commercial transaction has not occurred. Security needs
to be vigilant but not intrusive—toilet cisterns are favourite
dumping spots for discarded shoplifting loot—insurance issues
will arise—and the ugly spectre of hiding places for drug
participants will come closer if too many business premises offer
such a handy facility. It will also allow local authorities to
"cop out" of responsibilities.
OPENING HOURS
Locally the only public toilet closes at 3.30
p.m.—an absurd situation. The individual bladder functions
usually on a 24 hour cycle and there is no programming individual
device known to Man!! Perhaps 10 p.m. is a reasonable but grudging
compromise.
SECURITY
Ideally toilets should be staffed on a pragmatic
basis. It is very necessary from both a health and aesthetic angle
that toilets are very clean and odour free. Accept that supervision
has a "cost" effect but otherwise many undesirable results
will appear.
GENDER BALANCE
Sadly the ladies nearly always lose out!! There
are places where usage is free for both genders. There are places
where both genders pay. There are a minority and decreasing number
of places where male usage is free—but not for ladies!!
Ladies complain about the discrimination and
question its legality. Male members keep quiet! Ideal situation
is that the service should be free for everybody.
TOURISM
Normanton is not a tourist hot-spot. We get
the occasional visitor from Huddersfield and Barnsley but the
stay is very short-lived. No-one has had temerity or bravery to
seek their views on the non-provision of an adequate public toilets
service.
Again thank you for the opportunity of making
comments on an important issue.
WE WISH
TO EMPHASIZE
THAT THE
PROVISION OF
SUFFICIENT AND
ADEQUATE PUBLIC
TOILETS, TAKING
INTO ACCOUNT
THE NEEDS
OF AN
AGEING SOCIETY,
SHOULD BE
AN ESSENTIAL
FEATURE OF
A FAIR
MINDED SOCIETY!!!
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