90 People Take Part In Recent Council Survey

A recent consultation carried out by Wrexham Council received 90 responses – with only two people under the age of 18 participating.

In December 2014 Wrexham Council launched a consultation asking for feedback on proposals to introduce a 20p charge at the Henblas Street toilets. Proposals also included closing the Waterworld toilets, upgrading the Henblas Street facilities / employing an attendant to staff the toilets and vary the opening hours at the Albion toilets.

However only 90 residents took part in the Survey Monkey consultation, with the Executive Board report noting that not all the questions were answered by those who participated.

A breakdown of the feedback is also provided in the meeting report, with those over 40 making up 72% of those who took part. Only two people under the age of 18 took part in the survey, with the Council report noting this was a ‘disappointingly low response’

The report goes onto note: “Most people (76%) who responded considered the standard of Council toilets in Wrexham town centre was either poor or very poor. A high percentage, (72%) considered that Wrexham town centre toilets compared badly or very badly with those in other towns. A total of 68% rated cleanliness either poor or very poor. Paradoxically, 9% rated cleanliness as good.”

Along with the cleanliness of Wrexham toilet facilities, people were also asked how much / if they would pay to use a public toilet.

Overall a total of 65 people indicated that they were in favour, with 53 people indicating that they would be prepared to pay a 20 pence charge with 7 indicating that a 30 pence charge would be acceptable. The remaining five people were prepared to pay 50 pence.

However, a total of 27 people,(28% of people who completed the survey), indicated that they would not prepared to pay a charge at all. Many in this group commented along the lines that they considered they had paid already as Ratepayers.

Speaking about the number of people who engaged with the consultation, Cllr Hugh Jones said: “In terms of consultations generally, the budget consultation was widest yet, and we have learned our lessons. We will be liaising further with schools and our aim is to broaden to reach younger people. we are working to do that.

“The more extensive use of social media that we are engaging on, ought to mean we reach younger people.”

The report on Wrexham’s Town Centre Conveniences and the consultation results will go before the Executive Board on Tuesday 10th February at 2pm.