Further to Minute 4 of meeting held on 11 July 2024, the Committee considered a report recommending the adoption of a Guide for Busking and Street Performance in Reading following the completion of the public consultation exercise on the proposals. The following documents were appended to the report:

·                Appendix 1 - Consultation Responses

·                Appendix 2 - Guide for Busking and Street Performance in Reading;

·                Climate Impact Assessment; and

·                Equality Impact Assessment.

The Guide had been produced as a joint initiative between Reading Borough Council and Reading Business Improvement District (BID) using best practice examples which had been adopted by towns and cities across the country. The Guide set expectations for performers and encouraged good practice and explained that non-compliance could result in enforcement action being taken. The Guide had been designed to balance the interests of buskers and street entertainers with those who lived, worked and visited Reading’s streets and shared public spaces by promoting the best of busking and street entertainment and by supporting performers to integrate into the community. The Guide also took into consideration street preachers and faith groups operating in the town centre. It was anticipated the Guide would help to reduce complaints and resolve disputes amicably.

Following the meeting held on 11 July 2024 a consultation on a draft version of the Guide had taken place between 25 July 2024 and 15 September 2024. The consultation identified a number of key themes that were set out in the report. The report also listed the Council’s and Reading BID’s responses to consultees’ comments and highlighted the changes that had been made to the Guide as a result of the consultation process.

Resolved:

(1)           That the results of the public consultation exercise on the draft Guide for Busking and Street Performance in Reading be noted;

(2)           That the Guide for Busking and Street Performance in Reading, as attached at Appendix 2, be adopted;

(3)           That the Assistant Director of Planning Transport and Public Protection be delegated authority to make changes to the Guide for Busking and Street Performance in Reading, in consultation with Reading BID and the Lead Councillor for Environmental Services and Community Safety;

(4)           That a report be submitted to a future meeting to review the success of the Guide for Busking and Street Performance in Reading.