10 May 2019
Dear Member
ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTIONS NOTICE – 1 June 2019 to 31 May 2020
The Clubs’ Financial Year End will be on us shortly, and this entails important processes of review, budgeting and planning in all sporting codes, within the Executive Committee portfolios and by our Management team and staff.
The Pakistan and Sri Lankan cricket teams visited South Africa during the season. Unfortunately, it is becoming increasingly apparent that – from a financial performance perspective – inbound tours by teams other than England, Australia and India provide muted results. This has a significant impact on the overall financial performance of the Club, as the cricket season at Newlands is a significant component of the overall financial performance of the Club, via the Long Room and the Oaks Bar. The Mzansi Super League provided some respite, but this has been outweighed by disappointing attendance for the domestic one-day and T20 competitions. This is not Cape Town specific, but has been seen throughout the country.
England is due to visit our shores at the end of this year, and we look forward to the New Year’s Test with anticipation. Despite the general disappointment of the inbound cricket season, we have had a successful year in most other aspects of the Club’s finances. The installation of the water de-ironising system has been completed, and occurred just before significant increases in water rates were implemented by the City. We now run de-ironised water for the showers and toilets throughout the Club, as well as for the watering systems on the astros. We continue to use potable water for the kitchens and water fountains.
The Notice of the AGM, scheduled for Thursday, 29 August 2019 and the Annual Report for 2018/2019 will be distributed by the end of July 2019, detailing the Clubs’ financial position and current business strategies.
We had strong performances from both the Bowls and the Sports Centre bar, which offset the muted Long Room and Oaks Bar performance. Sports Sections have come in slightly ahead of budget. The Mzansi Super League provided some unbudgeted income through Ground Rental income, which was welcomed. Members Income from subscriptions was slightly under budget, but this was tempered by tight Central Services expenditure. We have also changed our security company and our Sports Centre caterers in the financial year under review, and we have received favourable feedback regarding both service providers. Cash flow management continues to be tightly controlled which will continue into the new financial year. WPCC is a complex Club, with a large number of moving parts. The budget process is a complex process, with a diversified revenue and expenditure profile. Membership fees are an important component of the budget, accounting for roughly 32% of our revenue. With the above in mind, your Committee hereby gives notice of the annual subscription increase to be effective 1st June 2019. The by-category detail of the new subscription rates are detailed hereinafter. The increase is necessary to help meet the Club’s budgeted income requirements for the coming year, and on average represents a 7% increase on the previous year’s subscriptions. This is down from last year’s increase of 9%.
Your committee spends a significant portion of their time endeavouring to increase the value of your membership. To this extent, we are looking to remove the additional gym membership charge and include the gym membership in to your general membership subscription.
Members are reminded that the gym is a basic gym, with relatively limited space and limited equipment. However, we feel that access to the gym – as part of your general membership fees – will provide additional benefit to your membership. Members are advised that we are currently investigating material improvements to the gym and dependent on the extent, cost and general improvement of the gym space, we may be required to reinstitute this gym levy. However, in the interim, the gym access will be included in your general membership subscription.
Members are reminded that subscriptions fall due on the 1st June 2019. A statement of account will reach you by this date. A penalty of 10% will apply to late payment of annual fees. All sports playing members who no longer wish to participate in a particular section must please notify the Club, in writing, as soon as possible but no later than 31st May 2019. Active sports categories will be invoiced as at 1 June 2019.
The Club’s preferred method of contact is by email. Regular communication is distributed by email, posted on all Club notice boards and is available on the Club website. Please keep the Club Office informed of any changes to your personal details.
Members are reminded that an additional payment method is available via the MyClub Account app, available online. The Club encourages members to use this option, as this reduces the time spent on reconciling and allocating funds, as the payment will instantaneously be allocated to your membership profile.
We hope that you have had an enjoyable year at the Club and we thank you for your continued support.
Yours sincerely,
Duncan de Groot
CLUB CHAIRMAN
Click HERE to view the 2019/2020 Subscriptions and Sports Levies Table.
