Question:
Since 2013 the monthly membership fee (currently £30 per month/£360 p.a.) has allowed squash players to book off-peak courts at no additional cost. On 11th May 2021, without prior consultation, members were advised that with effect from 1st June that IN ADDITION to the monthly fee a charge of £5.50 would be levied for every off-peak booking.
This means ADDITIONAL COST as follows:
1 court booking per week = £286 p.a.
2 court bookings per week = £572 p.a.
3 court bookings per week = £858 p.a.
4 court bookings per week = £1144 p.a.
Not many people play 4 times a week, but I and a number of others do (we were described by PfP as “abnormal members”!) but the impact on us is huge. The group I represent are mainly senior citizens for whom this is our main source of exercise which is now being discouraged. We believe some members will cancel and the rest of us will significantly reduce usage emerging from a pandemic.
I would like to know what impact analysis on INDIVIDUALS was carried out by the Council before they sanctioned these draconian price increases by Places for People and how they can be justified?”
Minutes:
Question
Since 2013 the monthly membership fee (currently £30 per month/£360 p.a.) has allowed squash players to book off-peak courts at no additional cost. On 11th May 2021, without prior consultation, members were advised that with effect from 1st June that IN ADDITION to the monthly fee, a charge of £5.50 would be levied for every off-peak booking.
This means ADDITIONAL COST as follows:
1 court booking per week = £286 p.a.
2 court bookings per week = £572 p.a.
3 court bookings per week = £858 p.a.
4 court bookings per week = £1144 p.a.
Not many people play 4 times a week, but I and a number of others do (we were described by PfP as “abnormal members”!) but the impact on us is huge. The group I represent are mainly senior citizens for whom this is our main source of exercise which is now being discouraged. We believe some members will cancel and the rest of us will significantly reduce usage emerging from a pandemic.
I would like to know what impact analysis on INDIVIDUALS was carried out by the Council before they sanctioned these draconian price increases by Places for People and how they can be justified.
Answer
Within the existing terms and conditions for those that hold a membership with Places Leisure (PFP), changes can be made to memberships and at this point members will be notified and consulted prior to any changes and can, if they wish, cancel their membership.
Proposed price changes that are not deemed core pricing sessions (which are increased yearly as per inflation and agreed with the Sport and Leisure team) are put forward for discussion and review and once agreed PFP will initiate the changes in line with their terms and conditions.
Background and supporting details for the change by PFP:
Place Leisure inherited the previous contractor’s membership and racket sport pricing structures in May 2018 and not a current membership option that PFP offer within their pricing structure. The legacy memberships were honoured for over three years whilst refurbishment & improvement works were carried out across all Wokingham sites.
The membership implemented for those that were on a legacy 1Life membership is not a rackets membership, as mentioned above there is no such membership that PFP offer. The implemented membership is excellent value when combined with usage of the gym, fitness classes, swimming & 50% off racket sports usage.
Racket Sport hire price has not increased from 1st June 2019, instead the booking structure for members has been reviewed and amended in June 2021, the headline membership rate of £41 a month unlimited use has not been increased this year, and there are no plans to review this until 2022. On average, members book a racket court 1-2 times weekly. This frequency of use ensures their membership is still excellent value.
After consultation, Mr Dyer was immediately transferred to a more suitable senior (over 60’s) membership, benefiting from unlimited access to the gym, group exercise classes along with the 50% reduction on courts at St Crispin’s LC for £29.00 a month.
Recommendations are also encouraged that members split the price of a squash court with their playing partner, rather than paying for the court in full themselves, reducing the racket usage costs by half.
The over 60’s membership reduction also supports all those residents that Mr Dyer mentions, supporting and encouraging older residents within the Borough an affordable membership option for all activities offered.
Places Leisure pricing remains extremely competitive and in many areas versus other like-for-like leisure providers in the local area (e.g. Everyone Active in Bracknell and GLL in Reading) and provides excellent value for money in which we encourage for the residents of Wokingham.