Agenda and minutes

Watford Borough Council and West Herts Golf Club Joint Consultative Committee - Thursday, 8 October 2020 5.30 pm

Contact: Alan Garside/Jodie Kloss  Email: democraticservices@watford.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies for absence/committee membership

Minutes:

            Apologies for absence were received from Councillor D Walford.

 

2.

Disclosure of interests

Minutes:

There were no disclosures of interests.

3.

Minutes

The minutes of the meeting held on 9 October 2019 to be agreed.

 

 

 

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting held on 9 October 2019 were agreed; they would be signed at a future date. 

 

4.

Course usage update pdf icon PDF 177 KB

A copy of the course usage is attached.

 

Minutes:

The Chair introduced the course usage figures for the previous 12 months (to August 2020).  He explained that during the Covid-19 lockdown the course had been completely closed and that bad weather in January and February had led to low course usage. 

 

Jonathan Kaltner explained that there had been a bounce back since the end of lockdown in June and with new members from diverse groups joining the club. There had also been a jump in usage in July and August owing to the good weather and it was hoped that subsequent figures would show that this had continued in September and October. 

 

In response to a question from members, Mr Kaltner advised that there had been 74 new joiners to the club and he provided a breakdown of the new membership in terms of adults, juniors, gender and people from the black and minority ethnic community.  He undertook to provide members with details of the number of the new joiners who were residents of Watford.

 

Action –

 

Jonathan Kaltner to provide members with details of the number of new joiners who were residents of Watford. 

 

AGREED –

 

That the revised targets for usage by Everyone Active pass holders be approved

 

 

5.

Course closures 2021 pdf icon PDF 191 KB

A copy of planned course closures in 2021 is attached.

 

Minutes:

The Chair advised that the course closure dates for 2021 were substantially the same as in the previous year.  He explained that a number of events had been cancelled in 2020 owing to the Covid-19 situation and that, as a result, the current club captain has extended his term to cover the remainder of 2020 and the beginning of 2021.

 

The closure dates for 2021 were noted by the JCC; these included days when there would be restricted access to the course.

 

6.

Green fees 2021 pdf icon PDF 328 KB

The draft green fees for 2021 are attached.

 

Minutes:

Mr Kaltner reported on the proposed green fee increases for 2021; with fees per round to be increased by £1 for visitors to the club on Monday to Thursday and also at weekends. This represented a below inflation increase.  Fees on a Friday would remain unchanged. 

 

The proposed rise was predominantly due to the reduced levels of demand caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and would help to meet the income shortfall.

 

In response to questions from members the Chair and Mr Kaltner:

·        Explained how various local post codes related to Watford residents and the relationship of the codes to Watford Borough Council and Three Rivers District Council boundaries.

·        Confirmed that green fees had risen by £1 in 2020.

·        Advised on visitor interest in the club since lockdown and the effect this had had on member bookings.  However, the full impact would not be known until the end of the furlough scheme when golf may be regarded as more of a luxury pass time.  It would also be likely to get quieter when the weather turned later in the year. 

 

David Rogers concluded by explaining how arrangements at the club would seem to provide good value for money for Watford residents.

 

AGREED –

 

That the proposed green fee increases for 2021 outlined in the meeting papers be approved.

 

 

 

 

7.

Any other business

Minutes:

There was none.