The beaches are both private and public. Some areas are closed off so you pay a fee to use the sun lounges, umbrellas etc as we imagine the council rents an area to a business and they then charge a nominal fee for the equipment they supply. Usually these are run by a restaurant and they can also provide drinks and meals etc. Many of the beaches in Europe are run this way so it is quite the norm here. If you don't want to pay you wander along a bit further to where it is not blocked off. Everyone seems happy so It seems to work OK.