PublicConveniences

PublicConveniencesSummaryReport,October2014

Introduction
ThisreportprovidesasummaryofthecurrentPublicConveniencesservice,including
employee,premisesandtransportcosts.Furtheranalysisisbeingcarriedoutwitha
viewtoestablishingdifferentoptionsforsavingswithintheservicebudget.Oneand
threeyearplanswillbedrawnupthatwilladdressthetwopotentialoutcomesofthe
CouncilsbudgetconsultationprocessforPublicConveniences.Thiswillensurethat
strategiesareinplaceandcanbeutilisedintheeventofa300,000or600,000loss
fromtheservicebudget.TheseplanswillbedraftedbytheendofDecember2014.
Itmustbenotedthatbudgetsavings,particularlythosefromtheemployeebudget,will
notbecomeimmediatelyavailablewithinthe2015/2016financialyear.Redeployment
ofstaffintoothersuitablepostswilltakeplacewhenrolesbecomeavailable.
DiscussionsareongoingwithEssentialEdinburghBusinessImprovementDistrictwith
regardsthefutureofthetwoAPTscurrentlylocatedwithinStAndrewSquare.Thereis
potentialforapartnershipwiththeCouncilaroundthemanagementofthesefacilities
goingforward.DiscussionshavealsotakenplacewithGreaterGrassmarketBusiness
ImprovementDistrictabouttheAPTintheGrassmarketarea,butitisunlikelythatthe
BIDwouldbeableaccommodatethemanagementofthisfacilityinthefuture.

Mainreport
1.1

Summaryofinitialreviewoftoiletfacilities
Thetableoverleafsummarisesthereviewofcurrentlyavailabletoiletfacilities
thattookplaceon15October2014.Thediscussionproducedthefollowinginitial
figures:
Numberoffaciltiestoremainopen(includingtherefurbishedcity
centretoilets):Ten
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 Numberoffacilitiestoclose:Ten
Numberoffacilitiesthatcouldberetained,dependingoncontributionfrom
LothianBuses:Four
Numberoffacilitieswhereadecisionwasnotmade:Five

Public
Convenience

Location

Keep/Close

Comments

Ardmillan

1/01Gorgie
Road

Close

Peakusagerelatedtofootball
matchesatnearbyTynecastle
Stadium.Requiressignificant
investment(atleast77k).

BathStreet

4/1Bath
Street

ClosetoPortobelloSwimCentre,
LeisureandIndoorBowlsCentre,
Arcades.Discussionneededaround
potentialforrefurbishedtoiletsto
replaceexistingpoorqualityones.

Bruntsfield

99Bruntsfield
Place

Keep

Nonearbyalternativefacilties.

CanaanLane

7Canaan
Lane

Close

ClosetoMorningsideLibrary.

Canonmills

32Brandon
Terrace

Close
(dependenton
LothianBuses
response)

Userfiguresexpectedtobegreatly
affectedbynumberofbusdrivers
usingthisfacility.Proposethat
LothianBusesprovidecontributionto
keepthesefacilitiesopen.

CastleTerrace

38/2Castle
Terrace

Keep

Facilitywasrefurbishedin2013.

Castlehill

386Castlehill

Keep

Facilitywasrefurbishedin2013.

Colinton

300AColinton
Road

Keep
(dependenton
LothianBuses
response)

Inverygoodcondition.Usernumbers
expectedtobegreatlyaffectedby
busdriversusingthisfacility.
ProposethatLothianBusesprovide
contributiontokeepthesefacilities
open.

Cramond

33Cramond
GlebeRoad

Keep

Nonearbyalternativefacilities.

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Public
Convenience

Location

Keep/Close

Comments

Currie

211Lanark
RoadWest

Close

Verypoorcondition.Inclose
proximitytoCurrieLibrary,thiscould
bepromotedtothepublic.

GrantonSquare

9Granton
Square

Close
(dependenton
LothianBuses
response)

Highusagefiguresthatarelikelyto
betheresultofbusdriversandtaxi
driversusingthisfacility.Propose
thatLothianBusesprovide
contributiontokeepthesefacilities
open.

HamiltonPlace

57Hamilton Keep
Place

IfCanonmillsfacilityisclosed,then
thiswouldbetheremainingfacilityin
thearea.

HawesPier,
South
Queensferry

HawesBrae
Pier

Close

Poorconditionandsignage.
Discussionneededaroundpotential
forrefurbishedtoiletstoreplace
existingpoorqualityones.

HighStreet,
South
Queensferry

36BHigh
Street,South
Queensferry

Close

Poorconditionandsignage.
Discussionneededaroundpotential
forrefurbishedtoiletstoreplace
existingpoorqualityones.

HopePark

11/1Hope
ParkCrescent

Keep

Closeproximitytoverybusyplay
area(largestinEdinburgh)and
situatedinaprimarilyresidential
area.

HunterSquare

11Hunter
Square

Close

Tobeclosedin2016aspartofthe
newTronleasewithEdinburghWorld
Heritage.Incloseproximityto
WaverleyStation,NMS.

Public
Convenience

Location

Keep/Close

Comments

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Joppa

82Joppa
Road

Close
(dependenton
LothianBuses
response)

ClosetoPortobelloSwimCentre,
LeisureandIndoorBowlsCentre,
Arcades.ProposethatLothianBuses
providecontributiontokeepthese
facilitiesopen.Discussionneeded
aroundpotentialforrefurbished
toiletstoreplaceexistingpoorquality
ones.

JuniperGreen

533Lanark
Road

Residentialarea,relativelylowuser
figures.ProposethatLothianBuses
providecontributiontokeepthese
facilitiesopen.

LondonRoad

3Royal
Terrace
Gardens

Close

Highlevelofinvestmentneededto
bringtoreasonablestandard,also
potentialforproposalthatLothian
Busesshouldcontributeto
maintenanceintoiletsareretained.

MiddleMeadow
Walk

12Middle
MeadowWalk

Close

Requiresupdating,particularly
entranceareawhichisdownsome
steps.CloseproximitytoNMS.

TheMound

2theMound

Keep

Facilitywasrefurbishedin2013.

TheMound

2EastPrinces Close
Street
Gardens

Closeproximitytonumberofpublic
facilities,alsopotentialforintegration
intoNationalGallery.

NicolsonSquare

35Nicolson
Square

Keep

Facilitywasrefurbishedin2013.

PipeLane

60PipeLane

Close

ClosetoPortobelloSwimCentre,
LeisureandIndoorBowlsCentre,
Arcades.Discussionneededaround
potentialforrefurbishedtoiletsto
replaceexistingpoorqualityones.

RossBandStand WestPrinces
Street
Gardens

Keep

Facilitywasrefurbishedin2013.

Public
Convenience

Location

Keep/Close

Comments

StJohnsRoad

199/1St
JohnsRoad

?(Dependent
onWaitrose

Retailparkwithfacilitiesisnearby.
Toinvestigatewhetheritwouldbe

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planning
application)

possibletoincludeplanningcondition
forpublicconveniences.

TaylorGardens

178Great
Junction
Street

LeithLibrarytoiletsarenotyetopen.

WestEnd

WestPrinces
Street
Gardens

Keep

Facilitywasrefurbishedin2013.

Tollcross

5West
Tollcross

Close
(Dependenton
future
developments)

Verypoorcondition,potentialforlink
withplanningapplicationforformer
bingohallatFountainbridge.

1.2

ShiftPatternsandEmployeeCosts
PublicConveniencesaremanagedovertwoshifts,overthefollowing
timescales:
ShiftOne:09:0020:39
ShiftTwo:10:3122:30
ShiftOnewillopenalltoilets,carryoutcleaningandservicingoffacilitiesanddo
between23circuitsdailytocarryoutregularcleansingofallthetoiletsinthe
city.Thisservicemayvarydependingonwhetherthereisanemergencyand
staffarecalledawayfromtheirscheduledroute.ShiftTwocarryoutthesame
duties,andclosethetoiletsattheendoftheday.

Thereare27staffemployedwithintheservice,asfollows:

1TaskForceManager(Grade7)
4TeamLeaders(Grade5)
10DriverAttendants(Grade3)
10ToiletAttendants(Grade3)
2AgencyStaffcoveringGrade3vacancies

The2014/15PublicConveniencesbudgetissummarisedasfollows:

Totalemployeebudgetis720,510
Totalpremisesbudgetis241,584
Totaltransportbudgetis7,650
Totalsuppliesandservicesbudgetis33,897

Budgetsavingswillnotbecomeimmediatelyavailablewithinthe2015/2016
financialyear.Thisisparticularlyrelevantinrelationtoemployeecosts,as
redeploymentofstaffintoothersuitableroleswilltakeplaceovertime,when
rolesbecomeavailable.TheOpenSpaceStrategyTeamwillfocusonthe

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identificationofpotentialnewrolesforstaffcurrentlyworkingwithinthePublic
Convenienceservice.

1.3

MarketingandPromotionofPubliclyAccessibleToilets
ThenewStreetFurniturecontractthatisscheduledtobesignedwithinthe2014
calendaryearwithJCDecauxincludestheprovisionofaphysicalWayfinding/
signagesystemintheCityCentreandLeith.Thiscanbeusedtohighlightthe
locationofpubliclyaccessibletoiletfacilitieswithinthisarea.Thissignage
systemwillalsobeavailableinadigitalformat.
TheOpenSpaceStrategyTeamandDigitalServicesTeamareworkingona
collaborativeprojectwithawebdeveloperinDecember2014.Thispilotproject
willresultinthedevelopmentofaprototypeforapublictoiletsapp,withina
week.ThisprototypewillbedevelopedfreeofchargefortheCouncil,andwillbe
usedtosupportabusinesscaseforthefundingofafunctioningappthatwill
highlightthelocations,openingtimes,etc.ofpubliclyaccessibletoiletsacross
thecity.Theappcouldalsobeusedtopromoteeventstakingplaceatlibraries,
Councilbuildings,andwithinanybusinessesthatparticipateintheCommunity
ToiletScheme.
TheStreetFurniturecontractalsoincludestheprovisionofdigitaladvertising
plinthsat50busstopsthroughoutthecitycentre.TheCouncilhasthe
opportunitytousethisfacilitytopromoteprojectsandinitiatives,including
consultationsandinthiscase,thepublictoiletsapp.

1.4

AutomaticPublicToilets
ThefiveAPTsthatarecurrentlylocatedthroughoutthecitywereprovidedand
managedbyClearChannelviatheStreetFurniturecontract,whichcametoan
endon2August2014.ThelocationsoftheAPTsareasfollows:

Grassmarket
StAndrewSquare(twofacilities)
PortobelloPromenade
FootofLeithWalk

ItisexpectedthatJCDecauxwillbeawardedthenewStreetFurniturecontract,
althoughitisnotanticipatedthatthiswillincludetheprovisionofpublictoilets.
AlternativeoptionsarecurrentlybeingexploredbytheCouncilsCorporate
PropertyTeamforthisprovision,includingtheprocurementofanadditional
companytoprovideandmanageAPTs.TheEssentialEdinburghBIDhaveheld
preliminarydiscussionswiththeOpenSpaceStrategyTeamandemphasised
thatthelossoftheStAndrewSquareAPTswouldhaveadirectnegativeimpact
ontheeventsthatareheldintheSquare,andalsothelicensingofthecoffee
shopthathasitspermanentpremisesthere.Thereisthepotentialfora
partnershipbetweenEssentialEdinburghandtheCounciltomanagethese
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faciltiesgoingforward,howeverthiswouldrequireagreementbetween
numerousCouncilservicesincludingPlanning,LicensingandCorporate
Property.

1.5

PotentialBusinesses/OrganisationstoContactasPartofaCommunity
ToiletScheme
AsofOctober2014,therehasbeennodirectcontactmadewithanybusinesses
aboutdevelopingaCommunityToiletScheme,althoughinitialdiscussionshave
beenheldwiththeGreaterGrassmarketandEssentialEdinburghBusiness
ImprovementDistricts.Examplesofpotentialbusinessesandorganisationsto
considerforthisinitiativeareasfollows:

MarksandSpencer(PrincesStreet)
Debenhams(PrincesStreet)
JohnLewis(StJamesCentre)
NationalMuseumsScotland(ChambersStreet)
NationalGalleries(TheMound)
Jenners(PrincesStreet)
McDonalds(VariousLocations)
Starbucks(VariousLocations)
Costa(VariousLocations)
CaffNero(VariousLocations)
HarveyNichols(StAndrewSquare)
Charitableorganisations,suchastheGrassmarketCommunityProject
Supermarkets(VariousLocations)

Considerationmustbegiventothekindofincentiveswecanreasonablyoffer
businessesthatparticipateinthescheme.Examplesarefinancialrecompensefor
consumables,andpromotionofbusinessesviaphysicalinfrastructure/signageand
digitalservices(e.g.theCouncilswebsiteandpublictoiletsapp).

1.6

DeveloperContributionsStJohnsRoadandTollcross
NoplanningapplicationhasbeensubmittedasofyetfortheproposedWaitrose
supermarketatStJohnsRoad.
APANhasbeenapprovedforamixedusedevelopmentattheformerMecca
bingohall(14/03480/PAN)atFountainbridge,comprisedofstudent
accommodationandcommercialunits.Afullapplicationcanbeexpected
following20November2014.Planninghaveadvisedthattheycouldnotconfirm
whetheranadditionalpublicconveniencewouldbesomethingtheywouldinsist
uponasaconditionforthisapplication,buttheOpenSpaceStrategyTeamwill
liaisewithPlanningafterthefullapplicationissubmitted.

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1.7

PeopleCounters
Approximate2012visitornumbersareavailablefromHealthmaticforeachofthe
publicconveniences,includingtherefurbishedfacilities.If300,000(ratherthan
(600,000)isremovedfromthePublicConveniencesbudget,itwouldbe
beneficialforthedecisionmakingprocessanddefenceofanypotentialclosures
tohaveaccuratevisitornumbersforeachfacility.

Aprocurementprocesswouldbenecessaryforthis,andpotentialcostswould
beintheregionof349perdevice.Over22locations,thisequatesto:

Onedeviceperlocation=7678
Twodevicesperlocation=15,356
Threedevicesperlocation=23,034

1.8

PropertySurveys
ConditionsurveyswerecarriedoutonPublicConveniencesbuildingsand
facilitiesin2009and2010,andrefurbishmentcostswereprovidedatthattime.
Forsomefacilities,thiscostrangedbetween80,000100,000.
Itwouldbebeneficialtoestablishmoreaccuraterefurbishmentfigures,inorder
toinformthedecisionmakingprocessaroundpotentialclosuresoffacilities.
CorporatePropertysStrategicAssetManagementTeamhasofferedtoprovide
assistanceandcarryoutconditionsurveysofPublicConveniencesbuildings,
followingtherecruitmentofBuildingSurveyors.Itisanticipatedthatthese
surveyscouldbecarriedoutinSpring/Summer2015.
ItmaybepossibletoreceivesupportfromCorporatePropertysEstatesTeam,
withregardsthepotentialreuseofsurplusPublicConveniencebuildingsand
potentialcapitalreceipts.
Capitalfundingmayberequestedin2016/17andonwardsforthemaintenance
ofPublicConveniencebuildings,onceastrategy/actionplanhasbeen
developedandagreedin2015.

1.9

CommunityConsultation
DependingontheresultoftheCouncilsbudgetconsultation,ifthedecisionis
madetoretainsomepublicconveniencesoutwiththecitycentrethen
consultationwithresidentswillbenecessarytoestablishwhichfacilitiesshould
beclosed.IfthisiscarriedoutpriortotheendoftheCouncilsbudget
consultation,politicianswouldbebetterinformedaboutthepublicperceptionof
thePublicConvenienceserviceandthepotentialforittobereduced.Ifa
decisionismadetoremove600,000fromtheservicebudget,itisanticipated

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thatallpublictoiletapartwouldhavetobeclosed,apartfromtherefurbished
facilitiesinthecitycentre.

1.10

MaintenanceContractPaddleGates
Costsandadditionalinformationaboutmaintenance/repairprogrammesfor
paddlegatesatthesevencitycentrepublicconvenienceshavebeenreceived
fromapotentialcontractor.ThisistobereviewedinOctober/November2014,
withthepotentialforacontracttobesignedfollowingthis.Theinitialcostgiven
fortherepairofthegatesis10,000.

1.11

EqualityandRightsImpactAssessments
ItwillbenecessarytocarryoutanEqualityandRightsImpactAssessmenton
eachofthe22facilities,inordertoestablishtheeffectthatthelossofeach
facilitywouldhaveonvarioususergroups.Theseassessmentswillbecarried
outincollaborationwithvariouscommunitygroups,includingdisabilitygroups.
However,itisunlikelythatthiswillbecompletedbeforethebudgetconsultation
processisconcluded.

1.12

ClarityofBudgetConsultationProposals
Thereisaconcernthattheproposalsinthebudgetconsultationreportarenot
clearwithregardstheamountoffundingthePublicConveniencesserviceis
expectedtolose.Membersofthepubliccouldperceivethattherewillonlybea
300,000savingtobemade,wheninfactthereisthepotentialtolose600,000.
Thiscouldhaverepercussionsfollowingthebudgetconsultationasifwelose
thehigheramountthenthepublicmayfeelthattheproposalwasmisleading.

1.13

CurrentWorkPlan

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