PAPER N

RYDE TOWN COUNCIL OFFICER REPORT

1. ‌BACKGROUND INFORMATION

   ‌Ryde Town Council had originally planned to operate public toilets from the basement of former Natwest Bank once refurbishments are complete. With planning and procurement considerations the likely opening date for these would be mid 2026. There is also an accessible toilet included in the plans for the ground floor. Within our phased development plan the toilets were considered to be a priority and due to be delivered in phase 1 of the project.

   ‌The lack of toilet provision, in and around the town centre, has been raised as an issue in recent public consultations.‌

   We have been made aware that Department have built in additional toilet provision into their refurbished building that they are offering to open to the public from March 2025.

   ‌To ensure these are open to the wider public a provisional agreement has been made that RTC partner with Department for a trial period. The arrangement would be that Department would offer their facilities for use to the public and RTC would clean them and replenish supplies. RTC would also delay the installation of the basement facilities in the former bank, with the ground floor internal provision going ahead as planned.‌

   Entering into this agreement offers the council an economical and timely solution to offering public toilets within the town centre.

2. ‌FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS‌

   ‌Cleaning to be undertaken by our ‘in house’ cleaning team - £1000 Approx Supplies - £1000 Approx

   
   

   ‌If the project goes well there would be no need to refurbish the basement toilets within 11 St Thomas’ Square which has an estimated cost of £50,000 (approx.) This would be a saving to RTC.

   
   

3. ‌OFFICER RECOMMENDATION

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RYDE TOWN COUNCIL

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To enter into an SLA with Department for a trial period to clean and service the public toilet provision within their refurbished building.