Examination of Witnesses (Questions 60-61)
MR TONY
ANDERSON AND
MR PETER
HAMPSON
2 JUNE 2008
Q60 Mr Betts: Coming back to the
contributions that business might pay, I know business will always
say, "We pay for all this out of our rates", but there
are things like business improvement districts now where businesses
together in an area, if they want to see an improvement which
will benefit their trade, are happy to pay for shrub beds, hanging
baskets, better street cleaning additions. Is the provision of
toilets something that could be incorporated within that sort
of scheme?
Mr Hampson: It definitely is an
area that could be incorporated into it, but again it is the costs
of these toilets. You are talking hanging baskets as opposed to
in a lot of cases significant capital investment which is what
is actually needed, so it is old Victorian loos that have served
their time long since being replaced with modern new cubicle blocks.
The business improvement grant could tackle that, but again, in
terms of business, which business in a place like Blackpool or
Bournemouth are you expecting to pay for it? Is it every business?
Is it the undertaker, the butcher, the baker, the candlestick
maker? Are you singling out retail because that is a tourist element?
Are you singling out restaurateurs? Half of them will turn around
and say, "Okay, we will close the toilets we do provide",
they would not do that, but you can see where the argument might
go in that case. Who would you actually target? Is it not then
another local tax?
Q61 Chair: On that point, I think
we have covered everything, so thank you very much indeed. If
there are additional facts, particularly specific examples that
would amplify the points you made, we would be really grateful
to get them in writing through the Committee Clerk.
Mr Anderson: I have sent some
this morning so you should have them.
Chair: Thank you very much indeed.
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