Agenda and minutes

No apologies were received.

No interests were declared.

Purpose.

The purpose of this report is for information only and provides the Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Environment with an update on the Changing Places Toilet Scheme in Portsmouth. The information provided will be as follows:

1.     Provide the background to the Changing Places Toilet Scheme, including the funding awarded.

2.     An update on the progress of the phase 1 works.

3.     An update on the Phase 2 application.

RECOMMENDED that the report be noted.

Meredydd Hughes, Assistant Director for Buildings introduced the report and in response to questions, explained that:

·       Radar keys can be obtained via the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation website.

·       Additional signage can be put on the facilities to make it clear that they are available for all.

·       Portsmouth was identified as being in the second quarter because of the lack of facilities in the city.  There are public toilets at the Hover terminal, Gunwharf Quays and a church in Arundel Street.  Adding six new ones under this scheme will make a significant improvement.

·       A changing places facility was installed at Southsea Library approximately ten years ago, but these are the first standard changing places facility installed in the city.

·       In 2021, the original grant was for a total of £30 million.  The second round was the money that had not been spent.  The team keeps an eye out for any opportunities for funding for retrofitting existing buildings.

·       By law, any public buildings that have a capacity for more than 300 people must have these facilities.

Colette Hill, Assistant Director for Neighbourhoods added that over the last few years, public toilets had been installed at Kingston Recreation ground and College Park.  The toilets at Drayton Lane and Hilsea were re-opened.  One in Eastney that was due for closure was kept open and one in White Hart Road re-opened.  These are all accessible and unisex.  All the locations of these and others that are on the community toilet scheme are on the council's website.

Councillor Barrett noted that the feedback had been very positive and was pleased that facilities are being installed around the city.

DECISION

The report was noted.

Purpose

To update the Portfolio Holder on the progress since funding has been made available to tackle graffiti on private buildings and other non-Portsmouth City Council owned assets.

RECOMMENDED that the report be noted.

Colette Hill, Assistant Director for Neighbourhoods introduced the report and in response to questions, explained that:

In most cases once cleaned, there have been no re-occurrences.  In the two or three cases where there have been repeat incidents, the council is looking into whether it is possible to put in re-deployable cameras.  People are sending in their ring doorbell footage which is always very welcome.  Identifying the perpetrators can be difficult as they often wear hoods and wear masks.  Preventing people doing it is more important than cleaning up.

The team prioritises incidents in terms of the impact that they are having on residents.  The deployable cameras will stay in place for as long as the problems persist to build up a picture of patterns, descriptions and clothing.

The type of street art that is done by My Dog Sighs with permission is quite different from the type of work that the council is trying to address.  Historically, that street art is not tagged, but in Hilsea it has been a couple of times. 

Many of the perpetrators the council and police have caught were adults.  There is quite a lot of political graffiti being done now which is more often by adults.   Any suggestions on how it can be prevented e.g. canvas boards could be made available specifically for graffiti would be welcomed.

Councillor Barrett noted that residents are very upset about graffiti and thanked the team for their very quick response to incidents.  She added that it is very important to support the creators of authorised street art, some of which is fantastic.

It is frustrating that sometimes landowners do not respond to the council's offer to clear the graffiti on their land. 

DECISION

The report was noted.

Purpose.

To provide information on a recent successful funding application

RECOMMENDED that the report be noted.

Kristina Downey, Principal Strategy Advisor introduced the report.

Councillor Barrett said that she was very pleased with the work and that this portfolio had been fortunate with funding for big projects.  She thanked officers and the people who wrote letters of support for the funding aplicaitons.

Councillors Gerada and Simpson stated that they were also pleased with the work and wished the officers good luck iwht the next stage of funding.

DECISION

The report was noted.