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26

Aug 2021

Last Updated: 26/08/2021
Politics
Politics

Unison awaiting answers over Harrogate council staff using public toilets

by Suzannah Rogerson

| 26 Aug, 2021
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The decision to relocate staff from Knaresborough Tourist Information Centre into the Courthouse Museum, which doesn't have toilets, means more staff are forced to use nearby public toilets during office hours.

courthouse-museum-2
Photograph: Harrogate Borough Council

The trade union Unison is still in talks with Harrogate Borough Council over some staff having to use public toilets during office hours.

The union first raised concerns in April when plans to move Knaresborough Tourist Information Centre into the Courthouse Museum got underway.

As part of the move, roles are set to be amalgamated — tourist information officers and museum assistants will become 'visitor experience assistants' and become part of the council's new Destination Management Organisation led by Gemma Rio to coordinate tourism.

The museum site doesn't have adequate on-site toilet facilities, forcing staff to use public toilets on Cheapside.

Unison has argued the situation was never ideal and is now no longer viable as more staff join them.

The council and union representatives have met in recent weeks to discuss alternatives. The union is now waiting for the council to respond.

David Houlgate, Unison Harrogate branch secretary, said:

"We've asked them [the council] to identify somewhere for staff to have decent welfare facilities. We both agree Portakabins wouldn't be suitable."


The union has said it is also making contact with local organisations to see if it's possible for staff to share facilities.



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Mr Houlgate added:

"The union understands there won't be any compulsory redundancies but there may be some voluntary redundancies. We want to avoid any compulsory redundancies."


'Not possible to install toilets at museum'


A council spokeswoman said

“The Knaresborough Tourist Information Centre has relocated into the Courthouse Museum at Knaresborough Castle as planned. This coincided with the castle’s reopening following lockdown on July 19.
"The decision to relocate the tourist information centre into the courthouse museum pre-dates the creation of the Destination Management Organisation and the restructure that is currently being undertaken.
"There is no toilet available on site at Knaresborough castle and museum and due to the historic nature of the site it is not possible for us to install one.
"For this reason the staff at the castle are required to use the public toilets in the adjacent car park which are owned, managed and cleaned by Harrogate Borough Council.
"Staff at the Castle have used these public toilets for as long as the site has been staffed. However, we are continuing to explore alternative arrangements within the vicinity”.