Memorandum by Birmingham Advisory Council
for Older People
The shortage of public toilets in shopping areas
is a real problem for older people who need to go frequently,
and can stop them from being independent.
1. With people living longer and developing
conditions where the frequent use of a toilet is a necessity,
can make the difference between being independent or house bound.
2. Since the withdrawal of attendants and
the lack of modernisation, toilets being securely locked at certain
hours has led to the present crises.
3. Most people would be prepared to pay
a nominal rate for a clean and secure toilet, incentives to shops
to allow the public to use their toilets and it should be part
of the planning process on new premises.
4. There should be accessibility to public
toilets inline with shops opening and closing times.
5. If they are open toilets then they should
be staffed. Possibly more Tardis automated toilets where you purchase
a swipe card.
6. Where the public can use toilets in shops,
equal balance. It is the lack of open toilets that means women
are not being treated fairly.
7. Previously mentioned in item 3 reduce
their council tax, claim the cost of building the toilets from
city council.
8. On the Continent and in the United States
of America, you can just walk into their shops and use their toilets.
We in England need to be in line with them, it would certainly
be better than having Tardises dotted all over the place.
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