Purpose

Reporting a schedule of repairs
and capital improvements for public toilets at 10 locations across
the district. The proposals are informed by a survey of 27 public
toilets completed by Geoff Oliver & Associates Ltd in
2023.

Decision

Cabinet agreed the following:
 
a) 
To approve the schedule of works this report suggests in 3.1/3.2
(either option 1 or option 2, dependent on the outcome of
discussions with Southern Water) which will be undertaken
using:
 
 
i. 
£400k of funding from earmarked reserves. Under option 1
£279k will be allocated for revenue repairs and £121k
revenue contribution to capital. Under option 2 the whole
£400k will be allocated to revenue repairs;
 
ii. 
£450k of capital funding (via borrowing);
 
iii. 
£400k from the Margate Town Deal funding (external
grant);
 
b) 
To endorse the proposed financing of the existing £749k
budget for the Public Toilets refurbishment and renewal project
within the 2023/24 Capital Programme, to be a mix of £450k of
borrowing, a £121k contribution from earmarked reserves, with
financing of the remaining £179k to be identified at a later
date; with the actual financing of the capital programme being
determined by the s151 officer as per officer delegations;
 
c)  To
approve a budget virement (adjustment) to be made if the
discussions with Southern Water are not successful, as per option
2, with a virement of £121k from the budget for the revenue
contribution to capital to be transferred to the revenue budget for
repairs to existing facilities;
 
d) To note that £400k of
approved capital budget is allocated for toilet facilities within
the Margate Town Deal scheme in the 2023/24 Capital Programme;
 
e) That a further report be taken to
Cabinet before the end of October 2024 which provides an update on
toilet refurbishment and improvement works, including the outcome
of the Southern Water financial contribution. The report shall also
propose next steps to address refurbishment or improvements at the
public toilets not included in this initial phase;
 
f)  That
the western undercliff public toilets be added to the list of
toilets for consideration when further funding becomes
available.