The City of London has agreed its proposed measures for charging and management of the Ponds for the winter season. (KLPA members have previously been sent a summary of these proposals.)
- Online pre-booking of swims, will end on 21 September 2020. The City argued it was necessary to control numbers during the summer season when the ponds re-opened following the COVID-19 lockdown. They believe the reduced swimmer numbers during winter will be easier to control on a one-in-one-out basis.
- The controversial “Option 3” to enforce charges will be introduced in full, collected either through season ticket payments or day charges (£4 full price and £2.40 concession). In addition to contactless payment cash payment is being maintained for the time being using the old contribution posts.
- Season tickets will take the form of electronic wristbands to be scanned on the way in. Existing season ticket holders will be sent their wristbands and sales of new season tickets will resume in time for the winter season until late October before handover to the Winter Swimmers’ Club.
- The telephone “support line” (020 7332 3779) will remain open 9 -11 am on weekdays for those who do not have internet access to purchase season tickets.
- The “Support Scheme”, replacing the planned Hardship Fund, was approved. There was some acknowledgement that the list of benefits for concessions was out of date.
Free swim sessions for under 16s and over 60s from 7.00-9.30 am were agreed, though there was some acknowledgement that the timings may be problematic e.g. pressure when other swimmers are heading for work, and it clashes with times for free travel for older swimmers.
Our campaign against the enforcement of inflated charges continues. The KLPA is liaising actively with several local MPs who are supportive and is working with solicitors Leigh Day to identify potential discrimination claims.
An excellent summary of our reasons for opposing the new charging regime can be seen here in an email exchange initiated by former KLPA Chair Nicky Mayhew, ahead of the Management Committee meeting.
On Monday 14 September 2020 at 5-6pm, local newspaper Ham & High is holding an online Question & Answer session with Anne Fairweather (Management Committee Chair) and City of London officers Colin Buttery and Bob Warnock. This will be about the new charging regime and management of the bathing ponds. Details of how to register and submit a question can be found here. Please contact Michael.Boniface@Archant.co.uk.