Question

Why, when both husband and wife are members, is only the husband named on mail, and only the husband is given the vote at the AGM? We both pay a Club subscription and it doesn't seem fair at all.

Question by Theresa Ward

Response

The Club's Bye-Laws state that there is one Lead member per household eligible to vote, and a second family member, at the same address, able to use the facilities and services. You can nominate either person to be the Lead member. Please contact us if you wish to change it.

If you wish to both have a vote, you are welcome to have two memberships in the same household, however, this would require a second subscription payment.

Question

Why is the Club not embracing the increase in outfit size? As a member for 42 years l find myself being refused access to sites that l have already been on.

Question by Anthony Chapman

Response

Our standard pitch size is 9m x 9m, which accommodates the vast majority of outfits that our members own. Whilst there is a small amount of outfits that are larger than this, the general market delivers outfits that are 9m in length or less. We do naturally have some pitches across the network that are longer, and some that allow a degree of "overhang" at the rear of the pitch, but of course we must always ensure we maintain the safety fire break. The recommendation is to ring whichever site you are interested in so the site team can advise accordingly.

Question

Please can the Club review the practice, by the main Club sites, of closing toilet and wash facilities for cleaning at the same time as departing clients are required to depart the site, not allowing people who may have a long journey ahead to use the facilities.

Question by Aidan Wright

Response

We are addressing this. On most Club campsites with toilet facilities, a service toilet or inclusive bathroom is left open wherever possible for this. New facilities buildings have a shutter or door to close part of the building whilst the other part is cleaned. On sites with more than one building the cleaning times are staggered.

Question

Rubbish disposal into Biffa Bins -
Did the Executive Committee consider any Risk Assessment applicable for the Disabled Member who has difficulty loading their campsite rubbish into an industrial waste skip on Club Sites ..one size fits all does not work for those who are young or have a disability.

Question by Norman Purves, answered by the Club Chair at the AGM.

Response

As with all activities on site, risk assessments have been undertaken. The instruction to sites for waste and recycling areas is to provide clear signage and smaller bins for those who are unable to use the larger bins. In addition, our staff teams are also able to assist if required for those who are unable to use the larger bins. Through this initiative, which is common on many campsites, we are saving over 600,000 waste bags per year, daily disruption to all members on site from the staff collecting the waste on motorised vehicles, and also addressing a health and safety risk for our teams in manual handling of often heavy, and sometimes dangerous waste bags.

Question

Why are the dustbins/recycling bins no longer in the service point area on Club Sites.

Question by Kevin Yeates

Response

Through this initiative, which is common on many campsites, we are saving over 600,000 waste bags per year, daily disruption to all members on site from the staff collecting the waste on motorised vehicles, and also addressing a health and safety risk for our teams in manual handling of often heavy, and sometimes dangerous waste bags.

Question

With our sophisticated outfits do we need expensive toilet blocks on site, site fees have got too expensive, should we now be maintaining site quality but ditching toilet blocks?

Question by Peter N. Nelson, answered by the Director General at the AGM.

Response

Many members are happy to use their own facilities, however, the majority of members find our facility blocks to be very important. During COVID we undertook a survey of members to understand their view on the need for operational toilet blocks during that difficult period. Approximately 65% said they would not use sites without the facility block provision. Whilst we haven’t repeated that survey, it is fair to assume that outside of COVI D that number is likely to be higher.
Our membership continues to evolve, and the number of members using outfits such as campervans, roof tents, tailgate tents and others that don't have their own facilities is growing, and therefore we need to ensure we are inclusive to all members. We are of course committed to providing a wide variety of site types and have a number of Club Campsites which already do not provide facilities and offer lower prices as a result. In addition, we have over 2000 CLs, which are exclusive to members, which provide a wide range of facilities and options.

Question

Why has the Club significantly reduced site open all year without consulting widely with members?

Question by Edward May

Response

The Club reviews site season dates and opening periods every year in line with historic demand and predicted occupancy. Some sites also open and close at different times because of redevelopment works. This is overseen by the Site and Accommodation Users Committee, who are all Club members. As in most years there have been some changes, but 51 sites remain open all year. This year Steamer Quay, Cirencester Park, Hawes and the newly acquired Lickpenny Matlock will be open all year for the first time.

Question

When is the Club going to start charging and limiting the number of dogs on site?There is a charge for children as they have some extra amenities, but the same now applies to dogs. Just consider the revenue being lost. 

Question by James Coupe, answered by the Treasurer at the AGM.

Response

We know that members and guests view their pets as part of the family and often owning a dog is one of the key drivers for beginning a lifetime of touring as our hobby provides such wonderful access to the great outdoors. Therefore in order to provide an inclusive membership, accessible to all, we have no current intention to charge extra for dogs or to restrict the number able to stay in their owner’s outfits.

Question

What progress has been made in finding a better way of metering electricity than the existing website which needs logging on before hand etc? Earlier in the year the Club said this was not user friendly and was looking for an alternative.

Question by Helen Andrews

Response

Work continues on developing our own user interface to the system used that will make things much simpler for those who do not wish to set up an account. We are hoping that the development will allow the use of contactless payment via a debit or credit card at site, and we are expecting this to begin being trialled in Quarter 2 of 2025.

Question

Having implemented the deposit scheme, which appeared to be working successfully, the club reduced the amount of the deposit and slowly bad habits are back...The number of sites booked up for a Saturday night has jumped alarmingly..Why change ???

Question by Stuart Proud

Response

The deposit system certainly works, reducing speculative bookings and late cancellations and ensuring members do have plenty of opportunity to book. The Club has done its best to reduce the financial barriers to booking, firstly reducing the deposit for booking from 20% to 10% and more recently to just £5. The evidence we now have seems to be that it's not just the financial cost, but also the longer process of giving card details, which deters speculative or inconsiderate multiple bookings. The reductions have helped and more members are booking, and booking further ahead so we hope that we can maintain our position as the first choice with members as we have the best terms available, without causing a return to the past behaviour. So far, with about three months’ experience, we are not seeing any concerning levels of cancellations or inconsiderate levels of speculative booking. But we are monitoring the situation with cancellations and no shows so will be able to react if necessary. But we do want to keep the deposit as low as we can, and is appropriate, in a members' Club.