Having repeatedly called on the Welsh Government to ensure the provision of Changing Places toilets across the Counties of Wales, North Wales MS Mark Isherwood has raised concern that this ambition is still not being met.
Questioning the Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government over the Welsh Government's guidance on the provision of public toilets by local authorities in yesterday’s meeting of the Welsh Parliament, Mr Isherwood raised the matter of Changing Places toilets and asked what action the Welsh Government is taking to tackle the barriers preventing the installation of Changing Places toilets across Wales.
He said:
“In 2022, I led a debate in the other Chamber calling on the Welsh Government to ensure the provision of Changing Places toilets across Wales for people whose needs are not otherwise met, and the motion was passed unanimously.
“In February, following Mencap Cymru's successful application for funding from the former UK Government's Shared Prosperity Fund to install Changing Places toilets in North Wales, I was delighted to attend and speak at their official opening of the new Changing Places toilet in Corwen Sports Pavilion. A big 'thank you' is owed to both Mencap Cymru and Corwen Town Council for making this happen.
“However, efforts to install Changing Places toilets continue to face barriers. In Conwy, for example, no suitable location could be secured due to high maintenance costs and consultancy fees, and even attempts to partner with third sector and commercial venues failed.
“So, will the Welsh Government finally take action to address this social justice and disability rights issue two decades after it first said it would? If so, how and when will it tackle the barriers preventing the installation of Changing Places toilets across Wales by, or in partnership with, Local Authorities?”
In her response, the Cabinet Secretary insisted that “the Welsh Government is committed to promoting community participation and active citizenship for disabled people, and that includes removing barriers such as limited availability of facilities like Changing Places toilets”.
Speaking after the meeting, Mr Isherwood said:
“As I have previously stated, the Social Model of Disability says that people are disabled by barriers in society, not by their impairments, and the lack of basic facilities such as these are leaving people disabled, trapped, isolated and dependant on others.
“The current lack of Changing Places is a social justice issue, a public health issue, a Local Government issue, a building regulations issue, and a disability rights issue.”