Opposition councillors in Wokingham have expressed their frustration over the Liberal Democrats’ refusal to commit to kerbside glass collection – despite new government legislation requiring it to be introduced from April next year and the council receiving £2.9 million to support the transition.
The Simpler Recycling scheme forces English councils to unify kerbside collections and requires soft plastics such as bread bags to be recycled from April 2027.
Wokingham’s plans had been due to be approved at the July 24 meeting of the ruling Executive, but Labour councillors claim the decision was pulled from the agenda.
At a meeting of the council on Thursday, July 31, councillor Nagi Nagella (Labour, Norreys), questioned the Lib Dem administration’s commitment to improving residents’ recycling.
Cllr Nagella said: “From April next year, the government’s Simpler Recycling scheme requires local authorities to collect glass from residents’ doorsteps.
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“We’ve seen a newspaper article from the executive saying they are waiting for a three-year funding settlement before making any decision.”
He also highlighted long-standing Liberal Democrat support for kerbside glass collection while they were in the opposition.
Cllr Nagella asked: “Former Lib Dem leaders Clive Jones and Lyndsey Ferris repeatedly campaigned for kerbside glass collection. Were they wrong?”
His question was answered by Katrin Harding, executive member for environment and climate emergency.
She acknowledged the delay, saying Wokingham was one of 30 local authorities that still had to set up kerbside collections, and the council’s financial position meant the Lib Dems couldn’t commit to this next year.
Cllr Harding (Liberal Democrats, Thames) said: “I firstly want to acknowledge the fantastic efforts of our residents in achieving recycling rates already higher than the national average for glass despite us being one of only 30 local authorities who don’t currently collect it at kerbside.
“But as you know, we could do more to make it easier for everyone to be able to recycle as much as possible.
“There may be things we cannot do that we would have liked to do.”
She added that the council would review all options, including keeping bottle banks.
But Cllr Nagella was disappointed with this response, informing Cllr Harding that the government had allocated Wokingham £2.9m of a £1.1bn fund to help councils introduce kerbside recycling schemes, and changing rules so that packaging producers pay a fair share for the cost of collecting and recycling.
After the meeting, he said: “When it comes to recycling, Wokingham residents are doing their part, but the council is dragging its feet over the changes to kerbside collections.
“Other local authorities, including re3 partners Bracknell Forest and Reading, have announced their Simpler Recycling plans, so why can’t Wokingham?
“The money is there, the legislation is clear, and residents have waited long enough for a basic service that other councils introduced years ago.”