The festival ought not to be moved from the town
The organisers, principally Chris Wade, who I think does a great job, should be supported in that endeavour if that is her stated intention.

Perhaps EYCC should be encouraged to engage in a feasibility study which will enable it to reflect on the economic and social benefits which a cultural event of this kind brings to region enhancing its reputation and so forth. Such dialogue may well be convincing – maybe not.

Maybe the festival committee ought to reflect on scaling down the number of headline acts for a couple of years.
Clearly, it ought to make a ROI but that is not the sole reason for its existence.
Cheers
Ged