The Annual General Meeting (AGM)

The Club is already trialling a small number of Electric Vehicle charging points on selected sites, which are currently under evaluation. In addition, there is the facility to charge EV's through a 13amp plug lead through your outfit for a small fee. It is not expected that the Club will provide dedicated EV chargers at each pitch, however, it is our ambition over time, and as demand grows, that there will be a small number of chargers with a minimum of 7.4Kw in common areas for members use which are paid for separately.

Question by Clive Mark

Members often write in with the reverse view that some sites in sensitive areas are not brightly enough lit. We are using low energy lighting and will try to get the right balance. It is also important that we keep members safe and avoid any trips, slips or falls.

Question by Graham McKay

A valid point; there are some indications that sites without facilities are becoming more popular but the Club needs to meet the requirements of all members. The availability of toilets and showers is preferred by many. Using self-contained facilities for getting a large family ready is not always easy or convenient for long holidays.

During the Covid pandemic the majority of members said they would not tour unless facilities were available. Many members are also choosing smaller pod caravans and using campervans which do not always have spacious self-contained facilities. We continue, therefore, to offer a choice of sites to accommodate their requirements.

Question by Richard Gibbons

We are working with Green Tourism to achieve an environmental accreditation which will be rolled out to each individual site on the network during 2022. The Club's Head Office will also receive an accreditation from Green Tourism. The Club's Sustainability Policy is now available for all members to access on the Club website - caravanclub.co.uk/sustainability-statement

Question by Laurie Clark

The Club has installed charging points at Brighton and Cayton Village (in the car park and on some pitches) to test demand.

There is no particular concern with charging a hybrid or electric car in this fashion. It is no different to doing so from a domestic electrical installation, given that the requirements for such installation in houses and leisure vehicles are largely identical. When charged in this manner, the power drawn by the car via the leisure vehicle socket is no more than 2.3kW (10A at 230V), limited by the Mode 2 charging cable.

Many cars are able to dial down their demand to lower power ratings too. That provides better compatibility with other power usage in the leisure vehicle, particularly during the peak evening period. It's worth noting that many leisure vehicles are fitted with significantly more powerful electric heating systems capable of running at 3kW and that these operate without concern.

Clearly there is a need for owners to balance the power demands that they have within their outfit to accommodate EV charging such that the maximum power draw does not exceed the supply rating (which will otherwise trip the supply). However, this is no different to the situation which has existed ever since EHUs were introduced to caravan sites.

Question by Richard Hordle

Read all our Q&As from the 2021 AGM