Explanatory Notes

Public Health (Wales) Act 2017

2

3 July 2017

Commentary on Sections

Part 8.Provision of Toilets

Section 113 - Local toilets strategies: preparation and review

240.This section places a duty on each local authority in Wales to prepare and publish a local toilets strategy for its area.

241.An authority’s strategy must include an assessment of the need for toilets, including changing facilities for babies and changing places for disabled people, in its area to be available for use by the public. The strategy will also set out how the authority plans to meet those needs. The strategy will also include any other information which the authority considers appropriate.

242.A local authority’s first strategy must be published no later than 12 months following the commencement of this section. Following publication of the first strategy, an authority may review its strategy at any time, but it must review it no later than 12 months after each ordinary election of councillors to the authority.

243.When a local authority undertakes a review, it must publish a statement of the steps it has taken in accordance with its strategy for the period from the date the strategy was last published to the date of the review. If during a review of its strategy, a local authority considers a change is needed, it must make the changes and publish its revised strategy.

244.The Welsh Ministers must issue guidance to local authorities about the matters which they should take into consideration when preparing, reviewing, consulting on, or publishing a local toilets strategy. The guidance must cover a number of specific matters including assessing the need for toilets by users of highways and active travel routes, and collaboration between local authorities.