Bob Spink

UK Independence Party | Castle Point

Baby Changing Units

Bob Spink: I hope that I am not considered greedy in presenting two petitions, but each of my constituents is worth any two from any other constituency.

Baby changing units was a new matter to me when this petition came before me, but on investigation I found that it raises serious and valid issues for my constituency. There is even a child safety issue, which I do not have time to go into tonight.

Each council must deliver statutory services, and additional facilities such as public conveniences and facilities for children and mothers. That is especially the case in respect of councils such as Castle Point which charges one of the highest council taxes in the country.

Next to the Canvey Knightswick centre toilets, there is a room currently used for storing cleaning equipment that could be converted to a baby changing room, so making that small but important improvement would not be rocket science, and I hope that councillors will act on the petition.

The petition states:

The petition of Tracy Taplin, residents of Canvey Island and others, declares that the existing public facilities on Canvey Island are inadequate for the needs of those with small children, and notes that Castle Point Borough Council has a de facto duty to provide and maintain suitable public facilities, particularly in a busy shopping area, such as Canvey’s excellent shopping centre.

The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons entreats the Government to bring pressure to bear on Castle Point Borough Council to provide a baby changing unit at a suitable location in Canvey Island’s shopping centre.

To lie upon the Table.