Funding has been secured across The Partnership for Changing Place Toilets to improve toilet facilities for disabled people

The Government announced the Changing Places Fund Prospectus in July 2021 which encouraged Councils to apply for their local areas to increase the number of Changing Place Toilets (CPTs) in venues with the greatest need.

It was announced this week that The Partnership have been successful in their bid and will be allocated funds to improve the facilities across the sub-region.

Boston Borough Council will receive £210,000 to improve 4 CPTs in the Borough; East Lindsey District Council will receive £300,000 for up to 8 CPTs and South Holland will receive £150,000 for the 3 CPTs in the South Holland District.

According to Government data, over 250,000 severely disabled people do not have access to public toilets that facilitate their needs. Therefore, CPTs offer additional accessible facilities than standard disabled toilets as they include an adult changing bench, hoist facilities as well as extra space for carers.

The work to increase CPTs across England is being delivered in partnership with the charity Muscular Dystrophy UK, co-chairs of the Changing Places Consortium, who will be assisting the three Councils in this development.

In a joint statement for the Partnership, Portfolio Holders for whose remits include Public toilets, Councillor Tracey Abbott for Boston Borough Council, Councillor Martin Foster for East Lindsey District Council and Councillor Rodney Grocock for South Holland District Council said, "This is excellent news for residents across Boston, East Lindsey and South Holland as it will create more accessible spaces for those that need it most."

"Accessible spaces should always be a priority across the Borough and Districts, and we are keen to facilitate this as much as possible. Toilets are a necessity and CPTs will allow more space for carers and help residents with disabilities to access facilities which are built with them in mind."