Mansfield Council’s Criteria Issue Prompts Reapplication for Accessible Toilet Fobs

Hundreds of individuals may be required to reapply for a fob granting access to an accessible toilet, following an admission by a council that its medical criteria had not been clearly defined. Mansfield District Council reported that 600 people had submitted applications for entry to the toilet situated at the Four Seasons site, which became available for public use on 9 July. Applicants now state they have received instructions to reapply, after the authority acknowledged it previously “hadn’t been clear on the criteria” pertaining to an applicant’s medical requirements. Felicity Benyon, who has a stoma fitted and had applied for access, described the necessity for people to undergo the process again as a “farce.” The forthcoming application round will incorporate additional questions concerning the challenges faced by prospective users, with the aim of more accurately determining the need for access. The council affirmed that those who applied previously would be given priority. A spokesperson offered an apology for the inconvenience caused but highlighted the availability of alternative facilities. They further stated: “There is also another Changing Places available in the town centre at Mansfield Museum, which is freely available to anyone during the museum’s routine opening hours.” In the absence of access keys, the local authority currently advises individuals requiring the facility to request entry from an on-site staff member. However, Ms. Benyon argued that this solution would be inadequate for those needing emergency access to the facility. The initial application period for an access fob commenced concurrently with the toilet’s opening, meaning applicants have been awaiting access for over four months.