Written question WQ84183

The Welsh Government recognises that poor toilet provision and access disproportionately affects some groups such as older people; disabled people; people with particular needs (including certain medical problems); women; children and young people and their families. The provision and maintenance of public toilets in Wales continues to be at the discretion of local authorities or other providers, and the Welsh Government does not intervene in local decisions in relation to toilet provision.

The Public Health (Wales) Act 2017 (the Act) required each local authority in Wales to produce and publicise a local toilets strategy by 31 May 2019. Each local authority is responsible for how their local toilet strategies are produced, published, disseminated and reviewed and are accountable to their local populations and representatives. This was made clear during the passage of the Act. The provisions of the Act are designed to improve toilet provision for everyone and therefore people with disabilities are not singled out as a separate group, although reference is made in the definition of ‘toilet’ to include specialised Changing Places toilets for the disabled for the purposes of the Act.

As part of developing and reviewing their local strategies, local authorities are required to assess the needs of their communities, including people with disabilities and their carers, and take steps through the strategies to meet those needs. An important element of this work is to act in accordance with their existing legal obligations relating to equalities.

The Welsh Government has provided guidance to local authorities on developing local toilet strategies: https://gov.wales/public-toilets-guidance-local-authorities.

The guidance recognises that the provision of public toilets may occur through the opening up of public buildings or partnership schemes with the private sector to make their facilities available. The provision of toilets in publically accessible buildings, such as libraries or cafes, is set by the Building Regulations. This applies where building work is undertaken and includes the provision of accessible toilets. We consulted on increasing the provision of Changing Places Toilets (CPT) in publically accessible buildings and are currently analysing the results. We would hope these would be available to the public.