Barnsley Council backs sanitary bins in men’s toilets for those living with incontinence
Barnsley Council has voted to support a motion calling for an expansion of sanitary bin provision into male toilets, after councillors backed a proposal brought by the Liberal Democrat group at full council.
The motion, proposed by Councillor Will Fielding and seconded by Councillor Hannah Kitching, highlighted that bladder and bowel incontinence affects large numbers of men, particularly older men and those who have undergone treatment for prostate cancer.
According to figures cited in the motion, 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer and around 60% of those treated experience urinary leakage. Campaigners say the absence of sanitary disposal facilities in men’s toilets can cause embarrassment, anxiety and social isolation.
Councillors agreed that the authority will support the national “Boys Need Bins” campaign and begin exploring the feasibility of providing sanitary bins in council-owned male toilets. The motion instructs the Chief Executive to work with officers to examine flexibility within the council’s existing waste contract and identify funding to roll out provision over the next financial year.
It also commits the council to working with local businesses to encourage similar facilities in their own premises and to promote awareness of the issue.
Cllr Fielding told Wednesday’s (Nov 27) meeting that sanitary bins in men’s toilets would give men a ‘semblance of dignity in their daily lives,’ adding that they ‘deserve to feel empowered and supported, not ashamed of something that’s out of their control’.
Councillor Sir Steve Houghton, leader of the council, said that the Labour group ‘appreciates the sentiments of the motion,’ and it was passed unanimously, with support from all parties.
A number of national charities, including Prostate Cancer UK, Bladder Health UK and Colostomy UK, have backed the “Boys Need Bins” campaign.