Commons Sense

House of Commons · Bill Debate

Non-Domestic Rating (Public Lavatories) Bill

03 September 2020

Proposed by Rosie Winterton Lab Doncaster Central

Housing

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

At a glance

Key points

  • Amendments are proposed to extend rate relief to publicly-owned libraries, community centres, and local authority properties containing free-to-use public lavatories.
  • A new clause requires an assessment of the Act's impact within one year of Royal Assent.
  • The Non-Domestic Rating (Public Lavatories) Bill aims to establish a 100% mandatory business rate relief for eligible public lavatories.

Issue summary

The statement discusses amendments to the Non-Domestic Rating (Public Lavatories) Bill, focusing on extending rate relief and assessing the bill's impact on public lavatory provision. The statement discusses the Non-Domestic Rating (Public Lavatories) Bill and its impact on financing public lavatories. The statement addresses the Non-Domestic Rating (Public Lavatories) Bill which aims to exempt public lavatories from business rates. The statement discusses the Non-Domestic Rating (Public Lavatories) Bill which aims to provide business rates relief for public lavatories. The statement discusses the Non-Domestic Rating (Public Lavatories) Bill, which aims to establish a 100% mandatory business rate relief for eligible public lavatories.

Action requested

Amendments are proposed to extend rate relief to publicly-owned libraries, community centres, and local authority properties containing free-to-use public lavatories. A new clause requires an assessment of the Act's impact within one year of Royal Assent.

Key facts

  • Amendments would extend rate relief to publicly-owned libraries and community centres with free public lavatories.
  • Amendment would confine rate relief to public lavatories that are free of charge to use.
  • New clause requires an assessment of the Act's impact on provision of public lavatories within one year of Royal Assent.
  • Public lavatories have closed at an alarming rate since 2010, with over 700 council-run loos closing in eight years.
  • The cost to maintain public toilets ranges between £15,000 and £60,000 annually.
  • In Blackburn's constituency, up to 15 additional public lavatories could be made available by widening access to existing facilities in community centres, libraries, and town halls.
  • The Bill will result in a £80,000 annual saving for North Norfolk District Council.
  • There are 39 public conveniences with annual running costs of around £700,000 in North Norfolk.
  • A new beach and loos were refurbished as part of a £19 million sand-scaping scheme in Walcott seafront.
  • Cley next the Sea parish council raised £36,000 through donations to build its own public loo named Curloo.
  • The Bill provides a 100% reduction in business rates for eligible public lavatories.
  • Relief applies retroactively from April 2020.
  • Central Government will cover the full cost of the measure through grant compensation.
  • Estimated cost of the bill in England is £6 million.
  • Additional funding of £3.7 billion has been made available to support councils during the pandemic.
  • The Bill has cross-party support.
  • Local authorities, parish councils, town councils, and national organizations like the National Association of Local Councils and the British Toilet Association have supported this measure.
  • The relief applies with effect from April 1st of the current year.
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