To receive information from Andrew Durrant, Executive Director of Place on the plans and events that shall be taking place in the build-up and on the day of the Coronation of King Charles III. 

Andrew Durrant presented an overview of the plans of the Coronation for King Charles III. He mentioned that he would act as “gold command” for RBWM as part of the command structure alongside multi-agency partners for the events. 

Andrew Durrant first gave a summary of Coronation Day on Saturday 6^th May 2023, whereby King Charles would be crowned at Westminster Abbey and all the events would be live on all major channels. 

On Sunday 7^th May, Andrew Durrant explained, over 20 street parties were approved through an application process. He pointed out the weblinks (TNL Community Fund, coronation.gov.uk/events, coronation.gov.uk/toolkit) and email address (communications@rbwm.gov.uk) on the presentation slide where residents could get in touch with the Communications Team and notify what they were planning to do. He also stated that on Monday 8 May, there was the Big Help Out event which encouraged residents and community groups to organise and get involved in volunteering activities. There would also be lottery awards for Big Help Out schemes. He also stated that applications for some funding for Monday activities needed to be made by Friday 24^th March.  

The Coronation Concert would take place on the East Lawn at Windsor Castle, which would be managed by the BBC. The Borough was working in partnership with the BBC, Thames Valley Police and DCMS (Department for Culture, Media and Sport) amongst many other partners to ensure the event took place safely, was accessible and coordinate transportation as 20,000 people were expected to attend the Concert. The Concert would be broadcasted on BBC television and radio services. 

Andrew Durrant explained that social media and other comms channels would continue to publish information on getting involve and what to do during the Coronation weekend. Pubs and clubs would be allowed to stay open until 1am between Friday 5^th and Sunday 7^th March. He also pointed to the weblink (RBWM Coronation of King Charles III) on the presentation slide with further information on Coronation plans. 

Claire asked if there were any arrangements for dealing with the expected high turnout of people arriving to the Long Walk. Andrew Durrant answered the information regarding this would be out in due course. He also stated that the Borough was not promoting anything in Windsor as a national event; rather the national event would be the concert at Windsor Castle. 

Councillor Wisdom Da Costa asked if there were any more grants available for local parties and whether this would be given on certain days. He also asked about the status of public toilets in Windsor, namely whether they were being maintained. Andrew Durrant replied that residents could take part in the national lottery if they wished to acquire funding for community events or Big Help Out activities (with the deadline being 24^th March to apply). On toilet provisions, Andrew Durrant explained that there were no particular issues in which he was aware of. Alysse Strachan, Head of Neighbourhood Services, explained that she had not heard anything about public toilets not being functional, but requested for issues with any public toilets to be reported. She also stated that two items of growth were added to the budget: one on cleansing, and another on maintenance of public toilets. From this, the aesthetics (e.g., tiles) would be investigated. 

Councillor Price raised that the local rotary was promoting the Windsor community shows for the third year in, she believed, Windsor Yards. She also hoped that the toilets would be repaired before the Coronation. 

Councillor Davey asked which musicians would be performing at the Coronation Concert. Andrew Durrant replied that he was not involved with those discussions. 

Councillor Sharpe asked what would be happening in Ascot during the Coronation. Andrew Durrant responded that there were discussions amongst officers to ensure there was activity in Ascot as well as Windsor and Maidenhead, such as bunting. 

Councillor Knowles asked if certain roads could be closed to control parking, particularly in residential areas. Andrew Durrant replied that the Borough was seeking to keep road closures at a minimum for the Coronation. He also stated that it was not expected for there to be high number of people compared to Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral. He stated he would take this away to ensure this was covered. Alysse Strachan confirmed that this was being highlighted. 

Mr Wilson raised a couple of points. He commented that the public facilities around Windsor were a “disgrace”, and that the Council should resolve this, especially as the Coronation was approaching. He also raised that there was litter and unkept plants around St Leonard’s Road, and therefore asked if these would be cleared up. The Chair replied that she had recently contacted Alysse Strachan regarding the issue at St. Leonard’s Road. Alysse Strachan added that two of the roads in area had been sorted but requested for any other issues in the area to be reported to her or online.