Islington Council has come under fire after revealing that the cheapest quote for installing a self-cleaning public toilet in Paradise Park is approximately £192,000. The revelation came during a scrutiny committee meeting last Thursday, where Labour councillor Nurullah Turan raised concerns about the council's procurement practices.
Procurement Concerns Raised
Cllr Turan criticized the council for locking itself into contracts with a limited number of suppliers, which prevented engagement with local businesses. He noted that one provider had quoted 25 per cent or less for the toilet unit. Councils often use procurement frameworks—multi-year agreements with pre-approved suppliers—to streamline processes and reduce costs. However, these frameworks can restrict competition and sometimes lead to inflated prices.
Labour councillor Nick Wayne, committee chair, acknowledged that many councillors have encountered similarly high costs for basic equipment. He suggested a detailed review of specific procurements to identify areas where the council could achieve better value for money. “It would be really helpful if people can go away and have a think to just some areas where you thought: this cannot be right,” said Cllr Wayne.
Council's Response and Context
Islington Council stated that it is exploring a range of delivery options for the automated public convenience at Paradise Park. The £192,000 figure likely represents the full project cost, including installation and utilities, which can vary depending on site conditions. The council emphasized its commitment to securing best value for money through robust procurement processes.
In August 2025, the council spent £1 million installing six new automated public toilets and an accessible restroom across the borough. This followed pressure from the campaign group Loos for Islington, which advocated for more accessible public lavatories. However, the group, backed by Age UK, had previously criticized automated toilets as prone to failure and attracting antisocial behaviour.
Cllr Ruth Hayes, Executive Member for Health and Social Care, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “As with all council spending, we are committed to securing best value for money and following robust procurement processes at all times. While no decisions have been made and no funding has been committed at this stage, we know that access to clean, safe and free public toilets plays an important role in helping people of all ages use public spaces comfortably. A range of options is therefore being explored, including the potential for a new standalone automated public convenience that could support year-round access, as part of our wider approach, where we believe we’re the only London borough to currently offer free, 24/7 APCs.”
