Agenda item

Agenda item

Booking Schedule

To consider the proposals in the attached briefing paper and to agree recommendations.

 

Minutes:

The Committee discussed the proposed new booking schedule. 

 

The Chair confirmed that, as noted under minute number 4 above, it would be wise to increase course usage by Watford Residents.  He suggested that this could be made possible by varying access times and by allowing residents access to the on-line booking schedule.

 

The General Manager proposed that the new system, as outlined in Appendix 1, be trialled for a year. 

 

The Mayor asked whether those residents who played as Everyone Active players later became Club members.  

 

The General Manager affirmed that it was hoped that, after a year’s trial, the proposed booking schedule would achieve this result.  

 

The Chair then advised that residents who played the course had been asked to complete a survey/questionnaire on the quality of facilities at the club.  He noted that cost had not been the main issue addressed in the feedback.  A significant number of residents had, however, noted that increased access times would be an advantage. 

 

The Chair added that initiatives to increase membership had been suggested; these included the facility for residents to book a round on-line as well as reduced green fees at certain times.  He noted that the club considered that, in order to realise the initiatives proposed within Appendix 1, it would be beneficial to agree a number of changes to the Joint User Agreement. 

 

In reply to a question from Councillor Scudder, the General Manager confirmed that there would be no change in fees.  He added that it was hoped that fees for play at ‘twilight’ times would be cheaper.

 

Councillor Scudder asked whether Watford Residents would be eligible to play at twilight. 

 

The General Manager answered that residents would be eligible for twilight rates and would have the same access to the booking system as members.

 

In reply to further comments from councillors, the General Manager advised that the club was proposing a new ‘flexible’ style of membership which would not attract a joining fee.  He added that new ideas were constantly needed to maintain membership numbers; it was necessary for clubs to change in order to attract new members

 

Responding to a question from the Mayor, the Legal and Democratic Services Section Head explained that details of the lease could be changed by a deed of variation if necessary; this would be easy to facilitate.

 

A change to the Joint User Agreement, however, would require a recommendation by the Joint Consultative Committee to the Club and the Council.  A decision on behalf of the Council would be taken by the Head of Community and Customer Services and the Culture and Play Section Head in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Strategy and Client Function.  Following the Decision, letters of confirmation would be exchanged with the Golf Club. 

 

The Legal and Democratic Services Section Head commented that he did not immediately consider that a change to the lease was necessary to effect the booking schedule proposals, but he would consider this. 

 

The Mayor said that the Joint Consultative Committee should consider how the club could be promoted.  She considered that the club and Council needed to co-operate in a joint publicity drive and suggested that the Culture and Play Section Head work with the Council’s Communications section and the General Manager. 

 

The Joint Consultative Committee agreed to Recommend to the Club and the Council that the proposals concerning fee bookings outlined in Appendix 1 of the agenda be implemented and that the necessary changes to the Joint User Agreement be made to facilitate this.

 

ACTIONS :    

1.             All necessary documentation to be sent to the Legal and Democratic Services Section Head in order to effect implementation of the recommendation by the Joint Consultative Committee in relation to fee bookings and the changes to the Joint User Agreement.

2.             Culture and Play Section Head to work with the Council’s Communications section and with the General Manager of the Golf Club on a joint publicity drive.

 

 

Supporting documents:

 

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