A Conversation at the NEC

GoneRoving replied on 23/02/2023 19:07

GoneRoving

Posted on 23/02/2023 19:07

I’ve just returned from the Caravan, Camping & Motorhome Show Athena NEC. While there, I visited the CAMC site and asked if there was an Executive Committee member available for me to meet. I was introduced to such a person and I explained I had some concerns which led me to be dissatisfied with the Club

Although in the course of the conversation I was able to raise several moans I have about the CAMC, it was the first issue that we discussed that I found most interesting. This is the cost of staying on CAMC sites which, I feel, is very high. I learnt that the cost of electricity and, more especially, the considerable amount been used by members is a real issue at the present time. If I understood correctly, last year there was a significant loss running sites due to this. Apparently folk are consuming a lot of electricity during their stay. An example that was referred to is the heating of awnings. I suggested that if the cost of pitch fees was high, then people staying on sites were going to feel incentivised to use a lot of electricity. Maybe, I also suggested, if the expense of staying was reduced and a reminder or campaign to drive electricity use down was put in place a 'sweet spot could be achieved. (“Sweet spot” seemed to become my word of the day!) I did suggest that aim of a ‘club ethos’ over such a matter is possible, although I felt that my interlocutor felt I was rather naive. I’m left thinking that site fees include an element a premium to deal with the loss I’ve mentioned earlier.

My other issues are those others have raised: the disincentive provided by the new booking system and the new payment of a deposit.

In the course of the conversation I was told I was the first person to have raised any issues about the Club since the show had opened which was three days ago. I also learnt that this particular committee member believes that there are about forty regular critics of the Club who use Club Together. With over 3500,000 members the voice of so few doesn’t carry much weight. That was my impression.

I am grateful for the discussion I had and I hope I have not misrepresented what as said.

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76 replies

Tammygirl replied on 26/02/2023 20:37

Member

Tammygirl

Motorhomer

Posted on 26/02/2023 20:13 by JollyKernow

Sorry TG, yes I was replying to rufs. Been to Spain for 13 years and even back then it was never 15c

JK

Posted on 26/02/2023 20:37

😊 no problem, did wonder. Agree by the way.

Rufs replied on 27/02/2023 14:54

Member

Rufs

Caravanner

Posted on 26/02/2023 18:01 by JollyKernow

That rate doesn't sound right. We overwintered at Alannia resort (Camping Marjal) for 7 years and the rate was 35c after the 4kw allowance (12 month rate) and the site we moved to before lockdown was 40c with no allowance (2020).

JK

Posted on 27/02/2023 14:54

well pretty sure we paid 14c at Bolnuevo 2022 7kw free per day, and 5c at Las Torres 2022 5kw free we stayed for 60 days at each, at both sites we managed to stay pretty much within the free limit as we had some tremendous weather and lived outside with most of cooking on gas bbq. However, i could be wrong, dont normallhy keep a check on how much we spend on lecce etc.

Rufs replied on 27/02/2023 15:02

Member

Rufs

Caravanner

Posted on 26/02/2023 17:56 by JollyKernow

Here's an example from my site, 90 pitches, no toilet block. Last year (2022) we had an increase in consumption of 20% on the 2021 season. Ok you might say, new toys etc, but, the occupancy was 30% less than'21, so people are using more. With the electric price rise we ended up with a bill of 3 times the projected budget.

JK

Posted on 27/02/2023 15:02

Wow!!!! suggest you carry out a site survey to see who is using all the lecce,

i guess if you have no toilet block then people will use more for heating water to shower etc, personally i would never leave gas/electric heating on if we were not in the caravan, and never during the silent hours unless it was really really cold, but i guess if you have paid for a RV with sophisticated electric heating etc you would want to use it come what may.

NutsyH replied on 27/02/2023 15:05

Member

NutsyH

Caravanner

Posted on 24/02/2023 17:47 by Takethedogalong

That’s a cracking link you have posted thanks Brue👍 Lovely cottages, and the Site looks nice as well. Could be one for us this year.

Posted on 27/02/2023 15:05

Thanks Brue - looks like a great site for the N York moors.

NutsyH replied on 27/02/2023 15:23

Member

NutsyH

Caravanner

Posted on 26/02/2023 16:32 by brue

The gov.uk electricity cap of 34p per kwh comes to an end this March and so does the gas cap.

Posted on 27/02/2023 15:23

That's the Ofgen cap not Gov.uk, and is reportedly coming down in April. However the Government £67 pcm subsidy is also coming down so net bill will go up.

brue replied on 27/02/2023 16:04

Member

brue

Motorhomer

Posted on 27/02/2023 16:04

Best to look up Ofgen.

NutsyH replied on 28/02/2023 09:38

Member

NutsyH

Caravanner

Posted on 27/02/2023 16:04 by brue

Best to look up Ofgen.

Posted on 28/02/2023 09:38

Ofgem:

"We are a non-ministerial government department and an independent National Regulatory Authority. Our role is to protect consumers now and in the future by working to deliver a greener, fairer energy system."

No doubt with HMG interference, but in any case it is unfit for purpose.

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Graydjames replied on 28/02/2023 12:01

Graydjames

Posted on 26/02/2023 17:56 by JollyKernow

Here's an example from my site, 90 pitches, no toilet block. Last year (2022) we had an increase in consumption of 20% on the 2021 season. Ok you might say, new toys etc, but, the occupancy was 30% less than'21, so people are using more. With the electric price rise we ended up with a bill of 3 times the projected budget.

JK

Posted on 28/02/2023 12:01

Assuming I've read this right, this increase in consumption of 20%, combined with a 30% drop in occupancy (in itself pretty surprising - but perhaps there was some specific reason and I don't know what site) means that, in real terms, there has been an absolutely huge increase in usage of electricity.

Prices would only have to double to increase the total cost by more than three times.

I calculated a real increase in average consumption of 66%. That doesn't feel right, but I can't see where my logic has failed - assuming I have interpreted the comment correctly. If it is right then what is the reason behind this? If there were enough of them, it could still be down only to "new toys", but that doesn't seem likely. If it really is just that people are being more extravagant with their use, then metering is surely essential. Statistics such as this makes recent price increases seem modest.

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