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New loyalty scheme for sport and leisure for #rdg #Olympic year

Money saving incentives for Reading residents could be introduced if a new reward and loyalty scheme gets the go-ahead from councillors.

Savings and rewards will be available in all Reading sport and leisure centres, libraries and arts and entertainment venues – including The Hexagon and South Street - if proposals are agreed by the Council's Cabinet on Monday, November 28.

The reward and loyalty scheme works by collecting points on the Your Reading Passport when you take part in particular culture and leisure activities. The more people who participate in particular activities, the more points they will earn, resulting in bigger discounts for future use.

As part of the proposals, which follow a detailed review of the scheme, free swimming in the school holidays for under 16s with a YRP card would be continued and concessionary rates for the Council's pest control service and bulky waste collection service would be reintroduced.

Marian Livingston, Lead Councillor for Culture and Sport, said: 'I am delighted that we have been able to propose even more benefits with the Your Reading Passport Scheme. The changes being proposed provide some great opportunities for residents to utilise these benefits right across Reading. As well as maintaining existing savings, we have been able to extend the concessions to bring back savings on bulky waste and pest control services."

Paul Gittings, Lead Councillor for Environment and Climate Change, said: 'With the Olympic and Paralympic Games coming to the country next year and also the Olympic torch coming to Reading borough in July, there has never been a better time for people of all ages to take part in cultural and sporting activities in Reading. These proposals will provide an added incentive for people to get involved.'

The Your Reading Passport scheme was launched in 2004, updating and replacing the Passport to Leisure scheme which had been running since 1987. It is a combined discount and library card, available free and exclusively to residents of Reading borough. It is used on the spot at ten locations around Reading.

There are two categories available through Your Reading Passport membership:

- YRP general membership: for residents of Reading and those aged 3 years and over

- YRP concessionary membership: for residents of Reading and either: aged 60 years or over, people who have a disability or be permanently incapacitated by ill health, or on low income/unemployed.

The Council's Cabinet meeting will take place in the Kennet Room of the Civic Offices, and starts at 6.30pm.