The Portfolio Holder for Assets and Strategic
Planning provided an update to the Spalding Town Forum on Spalding
town centre shop fronts, toilets, and assets, which covered the
following points:
- There was nothing further to update
on the Town Centre shop fronts.
However, the Chairman informed the Forum that a member Task and
Finish Group had been commissioned to look into Town Centre shop
fronts, and the reduction of usage of vinyl window coverings.
- The aim for the Sheep Market toilets
was to ensure that the renovation would be delivered quickly and
efficiently.
- The goal was to create a facility
that was fit for purpose, and which would be inclusive for every
aspect of society, including a Changing Places facility. The
completed project would include, baby changing, standard toilets,
disabled and changing places facilities, including supplementary
storage for maintenance equipment, to enable regular upkeep of
facilities.
- Provisions would enhance the Town
Centre amenities, providing an additional central public
convenience.
- The project had begun in earnest,
and government funding had been received for the Changing Places
toilet.
- Some construction had been
undertaken, whilst the remainder of the build was currently going
through the process of being tendered for.
- Expected delivery of the project was
anticipated by Spring 2024, although no date was
guaranteed.
- The building had been designed to
limit vandalism, although there was no guarantee that it would be
completely vandal proof. Damages could be swiftly repaired.
The members raised the following
questions:
- Would the facility be completed in
time for the Flower Parade and Music Festival in 2024?
- The Chairman responded that an exact
date in May had not been provided.
- Could bus timetables be displayed in
the Sheep Market Toilets?
- The Portfolio Holder for Assets and
Strategic Planning would look into the viability of this once the
project was completed.
- How long would the boarding
currently erected around the Sheep Market toilets be in place?
- The Portfolio Holder for Assets and
Strategic Planning replied that he would keep the members updated,
and that impact on residents would be kept to a minimum.
- Could CCTV monitor the Sheep Market
area to combat vandalism?
- It had been requested that CCTV be
positioned around the toilets, alongside additional CCTV in the
town centre, to assist in preventing vandalism.
- Was the Council confident that the
opening of toilets would facilitate the public? Would they fall
short of need, in aspect of the opening/closing times?
- The Portfolio Holder for Assets and
Strategic Planning replied that operational side (opening and
unlocking) was the responsibility of
Environmental Services - he would obtain a response from them.
- Would the toilets be manually opened
and closed?
- The Portfolio Holder for Assets and
Strategic Planning confirmed that automatic locks had not been
quoted for, and they would therefore be manually opened and
closed.
- Would all the funding be used solely
for the toilets, or would there be any surplus to assist with any
costs relating to vandalism?
- The Portfolio Holder for Assets and
Strategic Planning responded that any vandalism would need to be
paid for through the general repair funds.
- Were there any updates on
shops/businesses that were working with the council?
- Planning Enforcement Officers were
working with shop owners to encourage them to improve their shop
fronts through repair work and painting. Progress had been made and
fifteen properties were on the current list for improvements to
take place. This would be monitored, and the Forum would be updated
at future meetings.
The Portfolio Holder for Assets and Strategic
Planning left the meeting following discussion of this item.
Councillor Ashby left the meeting during
discussion of the above item.