Make public toilets a statutory duty for local authorities

For a publicly accessible and safe nighttime economy, toilet facilities must be available at night for people both visiting our cultural institutions, bars and clubs, and nighttime workers especially in hospitality and transport.  

Today, the London Assembly called on the Mayor to write to the Government to request it makes the provision of public toilets a statutory duty for local authorities, conditional upon the provision of additional ringfenced funding to support this new duty.

Caroline Russell AM, who proposed the motion, said:

“I’m so glad the Assembly has again confirmed its support for making the provision of public toilets a statutory duty. Everyone needs access to a loo when out and about or working in London and it shouldn’t be left to chance.  

“We should all be able to pee when we need to without overthinking and panicking.” 

Gareth Roberts AM, who seconded the motion, said: 

"Public toilets are essential infrastructure supporting London's nighttime economy and cultural institutions. As Leader of Richmond Council, I know councils want to provide these facilities, but we need Government to recognize this statutory duty requires additional ringfenced funding for the public toilets our communities deserve."

The full text of the motion is:

This Assembly notes the Government announcement that the Mayor of London will be granted new powers to review blocked licensing applications, with an aim to boost the capital’s nighttime economy, and we also welcome the recent engagement with a delegation led by the British Toilet Association to discuss the Government’s role in improving public toilet provision. 
 
For a publicly accessible and safe nighttime economy, toilet facilities must be available at night for people both visiting our cultural institutions, bars and clubs, and night time workers especially in hospitality and transport.  
 
Therefore this Assembly calls on the Mayor to write to the Government to request it makes the provision of public toilets a statutory duty for local authorities, conditional upon the provision of additional ringfenced funding to support this new duty.

The meeting can be viewed via webcast or YouTube.

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