A presentation by Festival Republic.

James Crosbie, Assistant Director of Planning, Transport and Regulatory Services, introduced Claire Armstrong, Victoria Chapman, Charlotte Oliver and Noel Painting of Festival Republic who gave a presentation on the 2023 Reading Festival.  The presentation set out some of the successful initiatives which included the Assistance, Information and Response (AIR) Hubs, a ban on campfires, the Ask for Angela and Challenge 25 schemes, relocation of the silent discos to a single venue and the larger eco-campsite.  The organisers had also ensured that festival goers were well informed about sustainability issues, and this was reflected in the 31% decrease in greenhouse gas emissions from the 2019 baseline, 77% of waste being sent for recycling and zero waste being sent to landfill.  There had been a 28 tonne decrease in abandoned tents, disposable vapes had been banned from the site, and a three- bin waste disposal scheme had been put in place to help people to sort waste. £1 from each parking fee would be donated to Trees for Cities: the donations from the 2022 event had provided 22 mature tress which had been planted in Spencer Road, Reading, and it was hoped that a similar number would be planted following this year's event.  Festival Republic were still finalizing exact figures for the event, and would make these available once they had been completed.  Planning for the 2024 event would start in December 2023 and would build on this year's successes.

The Committee discussed the presentation and took the opportunity to ask further questions of Festival Republic including:

• There had been fewer noise complaints this year;
• Further work would be needed to address attendees arriving before the festival site had officially opened;
• Security staff would continue to be trained to ensure that certain groups were not disproportionally stopped and searched when entering the site;
• The lack of smoke from campfires had been positively noted by local residents;
• There had been a reduction in numbers seen by the major safeguarding partners, as a result of people being helped at or directed straight to the appropriate partner by the staff at the AIR Hubs;
• Thames Valley Police had provided an additional police boat on the Thames, and their work with the Environment Agency and other partners had reduced problems such as illegal water taxis on the river;
• Plans for 2024 included working with Brighter Futures for Children to get involved with schools before the Festival, promoting public health messages and further expansion of the eco campsites.

Resolved -   That Festival Republic be thanked for an interesting and informative presentation.