A meeting of the Planning, Transport and Environment Policy Development and Scrutiny Panel at the Council held yesterday morning has discussed a number of key issues across the city.
Hot on the agenda was the work that Bath and North East Somerset Council do to tackle the ongoing gull problem. The cuts to funding being felt across the council have meant that a number of ways the problem is currently being tackled have had to be stopped.
These include the use of a Hawk bird of prey, which has been used across Bath for the past four years. Also to be cut is the funding given to local resident’s associations to assist them in tackling the problem. Yearly gull surveys taken to measure the population of gulls in Bath will also feel the squeeze of funding, being reduced to a less frequent basis.
The Council have said that they will work to increase other areas tackling the issues, including extending a scheme for households to use gull proof sacks for their rubbish collections. More fire gel will be used on local buildings as part of the measures.
An egg replacement service that has been used in the past by the Council will continue, as will the enforcement against local businesses putting their waste out at inappropriate times encouraging gulls to feed from the sacks.
The future of a number of public toilets across the area were also discussed, with twelve toilets soon to be taken over by a private contractor from the Council. These toilets are to be prioritised by the unnamed business, who will improve and modernise the facilities with additions such as automatic doors, anti-abuse mechanisms and equipment, easy-clean surfaces, water and electricity minimisation.
Use of the toilets will incur a charge, with the entry charging being used for income to off-set against running costs, plus full management, cleansing, coin collection/handling, utility charges, responsive and planned repairs and maintenance.
The twelve toilets to remain open under the new contractor are:
- Alexandra Park;
- Sydney Gardens;
- Henrietta Park;
- Alice Park;
- Parade Gardens;
- Royal Victoria Park Play Area;
- Monksdale Road;
- Memorial Park – Keynsham;
- The Shallows – Saltford;
- Charlotte Street Car Park;
- Riverside Coach Park;
- Odd Down Park & Ride;
The future of some of the remaining toilets across the area are still under discussion, with the potential for local parishes to take over their running. Toilets in Larkhall will remain open until 1st April 2014 whilst councillors work through options for alternative provision. The loos in Weston are to remain open until a replacement has been found.
