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<\/a><\/p>\nThe SOAPBOX item allowed us to clearly get across several messages that urgently need to be addressed\u00a0to halt the accelerated decline in the number of clean, hygienic, publicly accessible toilets across the country. Having access to a toilet is about our<\/p>\n
HEALTH & WELL-BEING
\nEQUALITY
\nSOCIAL INCLUSION
\nPUBLIC DIGNITY &\u00a0DECENCY<\/h2>\n
For many millions of our citizens living with either a severe medical condition or a disability the urgency to find a toilet quickly and within a limited distance can be absolutely vital. Many of these individuals are suffering with IBS, Bladder and Bowel problems, dementia and conditions that severely restrict both their movements and the distances they can afford to travel – away from home.<\/p>\n
Likewise, everyone living with or caring for individuals struggling with a disability immediately understands the extreme necessity of being able to locate and access a clean hygienic facility within a limited journey time. This is why we have created the Changing Places Mapping System for Mencap & Pamis. It allows users to both FIND and PLAN A ROUTE to nearby facilities . But the loss of public toilets\u00a0affects us all. Families with small children – or caring for older relatives, pregnant mums and older persons living independently. Everyone who commutes to and from work and including young persons travelling\u00a0to school or college. It impacts anyone who travels across this wonderful country on a holiday break or to visit relatives, as well as, van and lorry drivers delivering goods and services throughout the city’s, towns and villages. We know it has a profound effect on both visitors and tourists arriving into our towns from overseas…. The list includes all of us who have a range of conditions and needs when we are outside our home environment and need relief !<\/p>\n The BTA has for some time now been leading the call for government to abolish the\u00a0NDR tax levied on public toilets.\u00a0The total tax paid by councils is currently estimated to be around \u00a38 million and that equates to around \u00a32,000 per building. However,\u00a0some units have applied for an\u00a0exemption – so actually many units are paying considerably higher fees to subsidise the others. Whilst councils are looking to save monies and make cuts – the government could have easily helped and perhaps SAVED a number of our toilets with this simple first step. the Prime Minister\u00a0DAVID CAMERON spoke to a local radio station in Cornwall last September during his last holiday visit. He was appalled to hear that the council was considering closing around 42 public toilets in the borough because of the severe cuts and pressures. He vowed to take a look and speak to his department to try and find a way to resolve the issue and avoid these closures. \u00a0Below is the link to the original story<\/p>\n
\nwww.uktoiletmap.org<\/a><\/p>\nABOLISH BUSINESS RATES ON PUBLIC TOILETS<\/h3>\n
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