Gender-neutral toilets within office premises - consultation process
Received: 7 April 2025
The request is revised as follows:Specific Information Requested:Does your Council operate gender neutral toilets in its places of work (Civic Centre and or/ other offices)?If yes - when did they become operational?Has, within the last five years, the Council conducted any sort of staff survey or consultation regarding the introduction or expansion of gender neutral toilets in your workplaces?If yes then please provide the following information: as per original request.Thank you for your timely acknowledgement. I will expect your full response by 1st May 2025. request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 for information related to the consultation process regarding the introduction of gender-neutral toilets within your office premises.Specific Information Requested:Does your Council operate gender neutral toilets in its places of work (Civic Centre and or/ other offices)?If yes - when did they become operational?If no - has, within the last five years, the Council conducted any sort of staff survey or consultation regarding the introduction of gender neutral toilets in your workplaces?If yes then please provide the following information:1.Any and all documentation, including but not limited to meeting minutes, reports, emails, and memos, relating to consultations held with staff'whether anonymous or not'regarding the proposal to introduce gender-neutral toilets in your office buildings.2.Any records of surveys, internal questionnaires, or feedback forms distributed to staff members on this topic, as well as the responses received, whether anonymised or attributed to specific staff members (see notes on anonymisation later in the request.3.Correspondence, records, or summaries that outline the views expressed by staff, including any comments on gender identity, transgender, gender non-conforming individuals, as well as views related to the wider issues of homosexuality and bisexuality.4.Any records of internal discussions, including those of management and staff, regarding the potential challenges or considerations raised in relation to implementing gender-neutral toilets.Legal Basis for Disclosure:I am aware that the Freedom of Information Act 2000 sets out the legal right of the public to access official information, subject to certain exemptions. However, I believe that the information requested is essential for public interest and is unlikely to be covered by any exemptions that would justify withholding the records in full.Public Interest Test:I understand that the Council may consider the public interest in withholding information under certain exemptions. However, I believe the public interest in disclosure outweighs any potential harm to the Council. The implementation of gender-neutral toilets is a matter of considerable public interest, particularly regarding inclusivity and equality for transgender and gender non-conforming individuals. Furthermore, disclosure of consultation feedback provides transparency about how staff members were engaged in the process and enables the public to understand the range of views within the Council on this issue.Request for a Timely Response:I kindly ask for the requested information to be provided in accordance with the statutory 20-working-day deadline. If any part of my request is unclear or if you require further clarification, please do not hesitate to contact me.If any part of the requested information is withheld, I would appreciate an explanation of the specific exemption(s) being relied upon, along with an explanation of how the public interest has been considered.
Outcome / Documents
- Response (all information to be supplied) - application/pdf - Download