Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 3:28 pm on 8 November 2016.
Most of the points I wanted to make have already been covered, but I did just want to say a bit about the public toilet strategy. I am concerned at how far we’ll be able to move forward the actual supply of public toilets by the Bill and I do think it is such a hugely important public health issue. I was visited in my constituency last week by a 92-year-old constituent who wants to start a campaign to have public toilets, because the last public toilet in Whitchurch has now been closed down, following the closure of the public toilet in Rhiwbina. It does mean that many elderly and disabled people don’t go out, because they’re not able to use the toilet. Schemes that have been brought in, such as to go in and use the toilets in the pub or the café—she said that they really don’t want to do that sort of thing because they get embarrassed going into a pub or a cafe, even if there’s a notice on the window saying that they are willing for people to use it.
So, I just wondered how having a strategy would take things forward, and the other point I wanted to make, really, was people with young children as well—it is very important that they’re able to get access to public toilets. So, I think it’s a vital public health issue, and I just wonder how we can really take it forward with having a strategy.