ABC Council’s Changing Places mobile toilet facility is parked up in Carn depot “for an inordinate amount of time”.
Councillor Julie Flaherty has expressed concerns in relation to the Council facility – one that can be used by people with reduced mobility – as she believes it isn’t used at events as often as it should be.
Speaking at Monday night’s (March 24) ABC Council meeting, the UUP representative for Portadown DEA commented: “I had recent need to go through the Changing Places policy that we have. We’re one of very few councils who do have a policy and it was hard work to do, but we got there in the end.
“Part of that is that it has to be out at 12 council-run signature events. I think it’s becoming a wee bit hit and miss, and I don’t think it’s always well communicated if and when it’s going to be there – I’m talking about the mobile one.
“It is parked up in Carn depot for an inordinate amount of time, which I think is an absolute shame and disgrace really, when I know how much money it cost.
“I would like to see a wee list of when that has been used, how often it has been out, when it’s due to be out again, and also whose department and how many people are actually trained to use and maintain this when it is out and about, because I suspect that’s where the problem lies, and I suspect that’s why that is parked up in a nice wee corner site, rather than being used by the people that really need it.”
Cllr Thomas O’Hanlon (SDLP, Armagh DEA) concurred with the UUP representative, stating: “At the [recent] Economic Development Committee Cllr Flaherty said that [the Changing Places mobile toilet] was ‘a game changer’ for people with disabilities in enabling them to attend those types of events, and she’s right about the MAT (Mobile Accessible Toilet) being parked up at Carn depot too much.
“To support 12 events a year, to me, is telling those people with disabilities ‘You’re not welcome to the other events’, and I think it’s a shame and disgrace.
“Now, I understand there are elements in relation to training of staff. I get it, you can’t have it available to absolutely every single event that’s happening, but to me there is some inconsistencies in it.
“Can I ask that the policy is brought back to the events working group, and that the policy is reviewed, with the view to extending the accessibility of that facility.
“So I’d be keen that that is done as quickly as possible. Can I propose that the Changing Places policy is referred to the Events working group, and that it is reviewed, and something [brought] back pretty damn quick before the summer recess.”
Cllr Flaherty endorsed the proposal: “That’s an inherently sensible idea to bring that back to the working group, and so I’m happy to second.”
Director of Development, Community & Wellbeing, Paul Tamati confirmed the policy would be reviewed: “The policy was agreed in 2023, and I do think now would be an ideal time to maybe take another look at it, now that it’s been in place.
“I’m happy to bring that to the Events working group as requested, and work through that process to endeavour to get something sorted as soon as possible.”
