Toilet motion is passed through

6:26pm Monday 15th January 2007

A Labour motion to provide public toilet facilities in Shenley Road was passed at a meeting of the borough council this week.

Borehamwood councillors Di Hoeksma and Ann Harrison collected a 200-strong petition which they handed to the chief executive of Hertsmere Borough Council.

Speaking at the meeting, Mrs Hoeksma said: "While local authorities at the moment do not have a statutory duty to provide public toilets, Hertsmere does.

"We have facilities in Potters Bar, Bushey, Radlett and Shenley. But there is no such provision in Shenley Road, where many people do their shopping and where there is a lively market."

In her speech Mrs Hoeksma admitted that the costs of building and maintaining public toilets may be difficult but suggested an alternative scheme that the London Borough of Richmond has undertaken.

A partnership between the council and businesses has been formed where proprietors are paid a small amount each year in return for letting the public use their toilets, whether or not they are customers.

Mrs Hoeksma said: "I think it would show people that businesses are prepared to support community needs."

Councillor Morris Bright agreed that the cost of building new facilities would be too great and that they might attract vandals.

He said: "I would hope that further discussions are had in relation to refurbishment of the Borehamwood Village Hall site, we should at least say that if this comes to fruition we should ensure there are public toilets available to any members of the public.

"In the meantime, we need to look at something else, and I would wholeheartedly support the recommendations made. I support the motion and I don't see it being pooh-poohed."