A message to BCP Council from mum Emily.
‘Today, I am feeling devalued, dehumanised, and discriminated against by BCP Council.

32 days ago, my 8 year old had to be changed on the dirty floor of the public toilets at the Lower Gardens, Bournemouth, because the Changing Places UK accessible toilet facility was closed ‘due to Covid’. What followed was an apathetic apology and a confused mixture of insulting explanations, yet still no communication about action plans, or timeframes for rectifying the situation.

Despite ongoing media coverage there remains no clear recognition by BCP of the gravity, consequence or discriminatory liability for their decisions.

Today, Jenson returned to the Lower Gardens and was extremely distressed that once again, he was forced to use the putrid floor of the public toilet, once again, compromising his dignity, hygiene and welfare.

The Leader of the Council skipped right past my question during his live Facebook Q&A session last week, the Portfolio Holder flippantly told me he was trying to ‘rid himself of toilets’ from his portfolio, while claiming that the facility was ‘non-essential’, and the response to BBC Radio Solent from the Council’s Comms team was at best generic, and at worst, insulting.

BCP Council, who is going to own this situation, step forward and take responsibility for the community that you serve?’