British Toilet Association: Archived News from the British Toilet Association 

BTA Conference 29th July 2008

The annual British Toilet Association Conference and AGM were again held at the renowned National Motorcycle Museum Conference complex in Solihull.

The Conference was well attended and attracted delegates from BTA members, senior representatives from leading Local Authorities and companies involved in providing and supplying toilets. The Agenda was designed to provide an overview of innovation and offer solutions to toilet providers. In particular solutions for Local Authorities who may otherwise close toilets faced with costs of abuse, decline in standard of provision and anti social behaviour.

Opening the Conference, Mike Bone BTA Director provided an overview of the BTA’s political campaign and explained that the findings of the Department for Communities and Local Government Select Committee inquiry was expected in October. He also updated the Conference with details of BTA Activity since the April Special Members Meeting and the change of Director that occurred on 1st April.

Mike Burton, Managing Director of Albany Washroom Services, introduced a session on ‘Toilet Design – business and education working together’. Dr Alison Prendiville of University of East London then presented details of a variety of team projects that UEL product design students have researched on behalf of Albany, looking at key areas within the washroom and service provision to provide proposals for innovation and improvement within the market place. This very interesting and informative session provoked much interest among delegates and the students themselves have been asked to present their designs at the Loo of the Year Awards Event in December.

‘How the use of Social Networking can be used to improve toileting standards’ was the next session, presented by Nigel Tyrell, Head of Environment for Lewisham Council. Nigel explained how the Love Lewisham, Love Clean Streets, Socially Responsible Networking works and how it can deliver improvements in toilet management. The system has enabled Lewisham to dramatically reduce graffiti and fly tipping within existing resources and Nigel explained how it could improve toilets using the same social networking tools. It can support and involve partners and promote positive images of involved towns and cities. The delegates from Local Authorities were particularly interested in this session.

Next it was ‘Question Time’ with Mike Bone asking a panel of experts, Roger Berry, Alistair Humphries and Les Cairns, all BTA members and experts in providing toilets, cleaning and maintenance services to Local Authorities and other toilet providers, questions that BTA regularly receives from it’s members. The experts from Healthmatic, Interpublic Urban Systems and Premier Hygienic were confident  in answering all questions put to them and demonstrated that clean, hygienic and safe toilets can be provided in all situations, ensuring improved facilities, and often for less cost that existing toilets.

Following a hot and cold buffet lunch and networking session, Nick and Geoff Knowles, directors of Enigma Encoding Company demonstrated ‘how the use of CCTV can deter anti social behaviour in toilets’. Specialists in covert surveillance, Enigma explained the extent of covert and overt surveillance equipment and systems available, the legislation covering such activity, and the various applications with details of its success. The deterrent effect, and conviction support, against toilet abusers were of particular relevance to the delegates who had many questions.

The final session, presented by BTA Chairman Richard Chisnell, presented the pros and cons of Partnership Toilet Schemes. This included the history extending back many years, how PTS works, BTA’s Policy for PTS, Limitations of PTS, Stages and Resources required for a PTS, the costs of a PTS and how BTA could help Local Authorities in all matters concerning PTS. The Local Authority delegates had limited experience of PTS (otherwise referred to as Community Toilet Schemes or Comfort Schemes). One council’s delegate explained that there was a reluctance of commercial toilet providers to be involved. Others had the view that it was the LAs responsibility to provide public toilets.

The 9th BTA AGM followed the conference.

13 August 2008