Waste and Recycling
Comfort Scheme
What is a Comfort Scheme?
Following a review of our public conveniences, South Ayrshire Council has found
it necessary to refurbish certain facilities while closing others. To ensure that
the needs of the general public are still met, the Council is introducing a new
way of providing publicly available facilities.
The Council recognised that members of the public were generally dissatisfied with
some of the existing facilities the Council were offering. The main point being
the sub-standard condition of some of the toilets did not meet customer expectations.
Female users in particular, would seek to use alternative facilities such as cafes
and restaurants rather than an unattended toilet.
Because of these issues it was decided to adopt a scheme already successfully used
by neighbouring Local Authorities and offer toilet facilities in conjunction with
private businesses in an arrangement known as the South Ayrshire Comfort Scheme.
Businesses Participating in the Comfort Scheme
- The Boar’s Hotel, Main Street, Colmonell
- The Tower Hotel, Beach Road, Troon
- Straiton Public Convenience, Main Street, Straiton
- Kirkmichael Community Shop, Patna Road, Kirkmichael
- Barrhill Community Interest Company
Questions and Answers
Q: What do I get from the Partnership?
A: Confirmed income at several stages throughout the year, when
at the moment people may be using your toilets for no additional income.
- More potential customers (mostly tourists or other visitors) coming into your
premises who may buy something from you.
- Good publicity - your business will be advertised via the Council and Visit Scotland
as a Comfort Scheme location.
Q: What do I have to do?
A: Not much more than you do at the moment! Keep the toilets available,
keep them clean, display signage and in return we pay you.
Q: How much money can I expect from a Partnership?
A: Each premises will be assessed by a Council Officer and a financial
offer is made depending on how many, the standard and types of facilities you have,
and your opening hours. If you are successfully placed on the scheme you will be
paid 3 times a year.
Q: Who pays for the extra running costs?
A: The money you receive from South Ayrshire Council is intended
to pay for the extra costs incurred by offering the Comfort Scheme.
Q: How long must I enter into a Partnership for?
A: It is preferable that you enter into a 3 year agreement. This
is mainly to cut down on the inconvenience of re-organizing the Partnerships every
year. However this is negotiable if you do not want to
enter into a 3 year agreement.
Q: How many people can I expect to be using my toilets?
A: It is impossible to say, but it is hoped that in busier towns
there may be several Partnerships, as well as existing Council Public Toilets, to
help spread the demands.
Q: Am I expected to allow trouble makers in to use my toilets?
A: Although we would expect your toilets to be publicly available,
you are entitled to expect the same standards of behaviour as you would from customers
in your shop, pub or restaurant. If someone is causing trouble, you would be entitled
to ask them to leave and in extreme cases bar them from entry. The same applies
to people using your toilet facilities.
Q: I run a Licensed Premises, will letting children in to use the facilities
affect this?
A: No, children can enter the bar area to travel to your toilets,
as long as they do not stay.
Q: How will this affect my insurance?
A: We strongly suggest you advise your insurers that you are entering
the scheme. As a business which admits the public, you will already require to have
public liability insurance. The advice we have from the insurance industry is that
there is no reason why you should be prevented from entering the scheme. In a minority
of cases, your insurance company may slightly increase your premium. If that is
the case, we are happy to discuss this with you.
Q: What happens when the Partnership is set up?
A: A Minute of Agreement is signed by both the provider and South
Ayrshire Council to formally set up the Partnership. Signage is organised and an
official start date established. A dedicated Officer is available to offer advice
and they will inspect your premises routinely.
Q: I am interested in the scheme what do I do next?
A: Please contact the Helpline on 0845 6012020 (during office hours)
to discuss matters further.
Q: What if I want out of the Partnership?
A: Although you may sign up for the Partnership for 3 years, you
can withdraw at any time by giving 2 months written notice.