To receive a presentation on the 2019 Reading Festival.

Further to Minute 23 of the meeting held on 13 March 2019, James Crosbie, Acting Head of Planning and Regulatory Services, introduced Noel Painting, Festival Republic who gave a presentation on the 2019 Reading Festival.  The presentation particularly focused on the issues of safeguarding and welfare and sustainability.

Noel explained that the changes that had been made for the 2019 festival had been successful.  They had included working with more agencies to promote safeguarding and wellbeing, new main stage barriers and line up gates for the pit, additional clean-up volunteers and greater use of car sharing.  Noel added that sustainability measures had also been successful with the following improvements on the previous year:

• 14% reduction in carbon footprint;
• 19% reduction in waste;
• 20% reduction in single-use plastic;
• 52% reduction in tents left on site;
• Increased use of biofuels.

Noel also gave an overview of Festival Republic’s proposals for the 2020 Festival, which included improving the plans and entertainment provision for those attendees who arrived on the Thursday evening whilst keeping noise levels low.  Other improvements would include improved arena flow, safety improvements to the bridge and improved water provision across the site.  There would also be increased safeguarding measures including new partner agencies and help maps throughout the site to advise people on where to go for help.  The Festival would also run a sustainable audience campaign which included:

• Zero-waste festival goer;
• Take your tent home;
• Recycling Champions;
• No single-use plastic in the arena or from bar and food outlets throughout the site.

Resolved -

That Noel Painting be thanked for his interesting and informative presentation.