Hey Mike
what's this about the Audit Commission - some may say finally - threatening legal action against jolly old STC?
I understand there was a special, or is it extrordinary, meeting?
Are you sworn to secrecy?
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Perhaps the best thing is to repeat the Public Statement issued by the Town Clerk:
Following a threat of a legal challenge from the Audit Commission the Town Council has resolved at its meeting held Thursday 21st August to explore a lease option in respect of the future management and operation of the Swanage Bay View Holiday Park.
Swanage Bay View caravan owners have learned that the Council will seek to lease out the Holiday Park 'within six weeks' (seems a very short time span, unless negotiations have been 'in the works' for weeks or months - or am I being cynical?) to some outside entity, possibly Shorefields who own the site next door. This decision was taken without any consultation with caravan owners or their representatives on the Town Caravan Committee, even though this was promised. The day after the extraordinary meeting was held, the Town Hall, acting as employer, informed the Holiday Park staff of this news - that they would most likely have a new employer in as little as six weeks. Let's hope their jobs are safe, as they have had to endure months of rumour. One wonders why the story hasn't appeared in the local press, as SBVHP is, after rates, the single largest source of supplmentary income to the town, and that there may be a host of expensive legal, and other problems, for the town acting in this manner?
Anyone contacted the audit commission about this?
Yes.
People are on the case.
Yes, SBVHP has generated a profit (after all expenses), solely for the town's coffers, over the past two years. In addition, the residents of the Park are all loyal to Swanage and patronise its shops, pubs and restaurants, and talk the town up to friends back home who come to Swanage to enjoy it and support the local economy. I have always been somewhat mystified (as both a former homeowner in Swanage, and now as an owner of a caravan at the Park) by the comments made by some neighbours about the Park being a 'waste of time'. I am sure that the half a million pounds it raises to keep the town solvent is hardly a 'waste of time'.
We love the Park, its loyal employees, and the town, but many of us are mystified by the actions of this Council, and the curious decisions made by the Town Clerk. SBVHP should be so easy to run for both the benefit of the town and the users of the Park. For some reason the powers that be refuse to hold a dialogue and seem hell bent on getting rid of the Park. Is there a legal hot potato here, or are they just fed up with managing a park? Perhaps we are not the sort of clientele the town council wants to attract?? (Rather pathetically, this was actually said by the Town Clerk in a public meeting, which speaks volumes about character.) My neighbours are doctors, teachers, nurses, professionals, plumbers, shop keepers, and those retired with enough income to have a place here - in other words, all walks of life, like the people of Swanage. We just happen to love your town as much as you do to come here and spend our money. But many of us now feel grossly abused by this Council.
The residents of the Park entirely fund the Vista and the pool (except the admission charges). Public pools generally lose money but are essential for fitness and, of course, for the use of schools. We the caravan owners pay to keep it open for the use of the town and schools. We have had to pay for the Council's mistakes of the refurbishment of the Vista, and the losses from the catering etc. which are provided for the town, as well as the residents of the Park. Frankly, if the park is let to a firm such as Shorefields, (I have no gripe with them, except their interest is in generating profit first, and not in Swanage's best interests) that generosity may well end, and the town may lose these facilities, or pay much more (whatever your views about them, they are better than nothing).
This is all a tragedy, for us and especially for Swanage, and is so unnecessary. We the Park owners can sell up and leave, and many of us are contemplating doing just that. That will be your loss as well as ours. The Town Council has a duty to explain to you how it got to this point; why they have misled us, the owners; why they have refused to hold an open dialogue after agreeing to do so; why they have upset a loyal staff who may face unemployment, and who we utterly support (they are our friends and your neighbours); and what they intend to do - in a public forum. Anything less should be legally or democratically challenged. If it goes wrong, the town will have to raise half a million more from your rates to balance its books. It is as simple as that!
It is so easy to set this right. The Council can't see that.
I wish the town well through this difficult period. Please speak up if you have a view and say something before it is too late!
Please bear in mind before the "imminent" leasing of Swanage Bay View that the holiday park has made a profit of some £500,000 annually for the last two years under the Town Councils "management". There are more postings on the subject on the virtual swanage website.
Exactly. But if the Council leases the site, that half a million profit it has made each of the past two years will be reduced by the lessee's need to make its own profit. By the terms of the site licenses, the fees cannot be unjustifiably raised simply to create more profit for the lessor (the Council) and the lessee. So while the Council will continue to get something, it won't be half a million, and if the fees are unjustifiably raised to generate more profit, there will be many legal and government body challenges.
Frankly, the town had a good thing going as it was. It should have hired professional management to run things according to the required statutory standards (why would a Council want to get involved with the Park's management issues anyway?), and stayed out of the day-to-day affairs of running the place.
The Park has been muddling along over the past six years or so. The District Auditor issue involves possible penalties due to bad practices in the sale of caravans between 2003 and 2006. The Audit Report (early 2008) said this could be simply remedied by hiving off just the caravan sales to an outside entity, leaving the Park itself in the hands of the Council under professional management, in the employ of the Council, who would be in tune with the wishes of the clients as well. This professional approach is what has been lacking, and is what has led to where things stand now. Sad.
Where on earth does this figure of £500 000 a year profit from the caravan park come from? I understand it nets only about £60 000 and a tenant would pay more than that to rent it. What you are saying is the Council should take back and run the ice cream huts on the beach, The Fisherman’s Catch etc (which is absurd).
The Town Council's accounts are on the website for all to see. Have a look if you do not believe how much the caravan site puts into the town's finances. Perhaps the icecream kiosks would yield more for the town in public hands. I have been told the concession brings in £10,000 at the moment which does not sound like a wonderful return for what is in effect a monopoly.
I see from the STC mtg agenda 3 Sept. they discussed, in secret, the request from The Fishermans Catch. Anyone know what the problem is?
Does the Lessee know about this!!??
07/08 The Caravan Park continues to provide the largest contribution in off-setting the overall Net Cost
of Services. A gross surplus of £259,691 was generated from the Caravan Sales activities. An
additional £65,000 surplus was gained in the final quarter, after the setting of a revised estimate.
Further surpluses were generated from the income from Grounds, totalling £440,514 in 2007/08
(inclusive of income from site fees). An allocation of £84,500 comprising of £67,500 and a special
levy of £17,000 respectively, has been made to an earmarked reserve to meet capital schemes
specific to the Caravan Park. Following the failure of the Bars & Catering contract, the Council
took this function back in-house, resulting in a part-year deficit of £15,118. The Council has been
required to meet the extraordinary costs of £52,000 (approx) in un-invoiced electricity costs backdated
over a period of 6 years. A further £18,000 (approx) has been charged to general operations.
Anyone understand?
No, dont understand at all, however its all serious stuff. I'm sure the auditor understands.
I'll tell you where £500,000 profit comes from, at £3200 site fees per van for 2008/09, times 290 vans, less running costs, it's easy. Where will the council recoup this amount from should the site be leased? Swanage residents be concerned.
Isn't that £500.000+. Shouldnt worry too much, Who would take this 'mess' on for a 15yr lease. What would be the long term gain, and there is too much going on.
Shorefields will. They own the site next door and are eyeing the whole complex. They will do it for 300k rent a year to STC. But they will demand a long lease - perhaps 99 years. And they will demand that STC cancel all existing caravan owners' licenses so that they can issue their own (which will allow them unfettered rights to increase site fees. Meanwhile STC will still be dealing with issues from the period 2002-8 which may prove to be costly). This is just a prediction but I'd wager a pint of Old Thumper it's not far off.....
Had heard this 'rumour' however I think it very likely that Shorefield is taking an interest, but would want a much longer lease than 15 yrs. Their site fees are more than SBV but caravans cost much less to buy. AND they do not have the problems that SBV owners are experiencing with the town council.
There is a meeting of the Caravan Committee at the Town Hall at 2.15 p.m. this Friday, 19th September. Public Participation time begins at 2.00 p.m. I encourage anyone with a view on this matter to attend, as the first 15 minutes will be given over to Public Participation. It may be the last chance to make your voice heard over this matter.
http://www.swanage.gov.uk/pdf/meetings/agenda-caravan_park-19_september_2008.pdf
Anyone know what happened at SBV committee mtg yesterday? It is quiet everywhere on this subject. However, I should think that any discussion concerning this important issue will be at a full council mtg. Held on last Monday of the month. Usual 15 min public time prior to mtg. Unless it is TOP SECRET and Swanage residents are banished from the chambers.
Earlier this summer SBVHP was reduced to a 3* rating from a 4* rating. Some loos need redecorating, apparently.
Seems this hasn't trickled down the High Street.....the Council's website still boasts, on its main page, this statement:
"Our holiday park has been accredited 4*
The park already offers a real home from home atmosphere and our staff are dedicated to making your stay as relaxed and enjoyable as possible. Whether you want to hire a static caravan or indeed buy now is the time to find out more about Swanage Bay View Holiday Park."
I am sure somebody in Town Hall knows where the delete button is? With all the hoo-hah going on between he Council and the District Auditor, the last thing the jolly old TC needs is a hassle over misleading advertising!
seems the Swanage Bay View Holiday Park saga go's on and on, seems Town Council have to get rid of it and the process to explore a lease option in respect of the future management and operation of the Swanage Bay View Holiday Park has to start all over again. any one know why it was not sorted at Mondays Council Meeting.
What a choice time to decide to get rid of the town's most lucrative asset! The failure of Iceland's banks may cost Dorset County Council 28.1 million, and Purbeck D.C. 1 million....this means rates will have to go up...the Gov't will not promise to bail these groups out....meanwhile the stock markets are plunging, credit has dried up, confidence is shot and a huge recession (with unemployment rates shooting up) is imminent. If they sell or lease SBVHP in the next six months the will get much less than ten months ago. A loss for Swanage???
seems STC as a Parish Council have been told by the District Auditor they must get rid of it or face prosecution.
I understood that it was only the caravan sales that the district auditor had a problem with as a conflict of interest. A council cannot be involved in a commercial enterprise. If the site is leased it will be a loss for Swanage residents. I beleived that the site could not be sold due to a covenant on the land when it was given to the town. Nothing can happen anyway without proper consultation and agreement with the caravan owners due to the terms of their licence agreements.
www.virtual-swanage.co.uk forums had a lively debate going about SBVHP. But suddenly the forums have been removed.
A case of censorship?
its been moved to www.swanageforum.co.uk
http://www.swanageforum.co.uk/viewforum.php?f=29
Look for your self at the advert for the site.
http://www.foxleisure.co.uk/latestnews.pdf
Renowned location on the Isle of Purbeck and Heritage Coast.
Licensed for 322 Static Holiday Caravans from 1st March to 16th January in the following year.
Well-established with 290 serviced static holiday pitches - mainly with private owner Homes subject to pitch agreements.
Core facilities include licensed Club, Indoor Pool, Gym, Reception/Offices and various areas sublet.
Consolidated gross pitch fee income 2009 in the region of £700,000 per annum.
Latent trading potential to enhance caravan sales and secondary spend.
In all, about 9.5 hectares/23.5 acres.
Substantial offers invited for 99 year leasehold interest. Proposals for rack rent and/or premium considered.
Full illustrated particulars and legal pack available on application.
For more pictures, go to the 'About Us' page and click on the link.
Print details Make an Enquiry
Great thoughts you got there, believe I may possibly try just some of it throughout my daily life.
caravan sales
Great thoughts you got there, believe I may possibly try just some of it throughout my daily life.
caravan for sales
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