Wokingham Borough Council puts glass kerbside collection plans on hold amid calls for fairer funding

Under the Government’s Simpler Recycling initiative, councils across England are expected to introduce kerbside glass collections by April 2026 alongside the many other waste streams that are already collected here in Wokingham Borough.  

However, Wokingham Borough Council has decided to delay a final decision on implementing this service locally until further details of the Government’s three-year funding settlement are confirmed.  

The government is consulting on a new way of allocating money to local councils that would, if carried out, see Wokingham Borough facing millions of pounds of significant cuts phased in over the next three years, while effectively subsidising increased funding elsewhere.  

The latest changes come after years in which Wokingham Borough Council has been the lowest, or one of the lowest, funded unitary councils in the country.   

Cllr Stephen Conway, leader of the council and executive councillor for housing, partnerships and the local plan, said: “We’ve been clear in our calls for fairer funding that reflects the true cost of meeting our community’s needs.  

“As it stands, almost £50 million of Wokingham Borough’s council tax could effectively be distributed elsewhere over the next three years under proposals being considered by the government.  

“This potential significant loss of funding is the backdrop to our decision to pause. 

“Launching additional kerbside glass collections requires around £1.5 million for vehicles, containers and delivery, plus annual running costs of about £710,000.” 

Cllr Katrin Harding, executive member for environment and climate emergency said: “Thanks to our residents, we already recycle around 84 per cent of glass, so this significant financial outlay would result in only a modest increase in recycling, at a time when budgets are already under considerable pressure. 

“In our report to the Community and Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Monday 7 July we recommended delaying a final decision until we received details of the Government’s three-year funding settlement, expected later this year. The Committee Members agreed with this approach, and with continuing to engage with DEFRA to explore all options for implementation of the Simpler Recycling legislation to ensure best value for money for Wokingham residents. 

“We’re following the Committee’s feedback, working with partners and Government, while keeping residents informed as plans progress. 

“We’ve been sensible with our finances and are not in the dire situation faced by some councils, but it will come as no surprise that we are facing a difficult financial outlook.  

“While we’d prefer not to delay the introduction of kerbside glass collection, our future financial position remains uncertain until the Government settlement is confirmed. We currently propose starting monthly kerbside glass collections in February 2027, which is beyond the legislation’s April 2026 requirement. 

“We are also continuing to develop plans to collect flexible plastics for recycling at the kerbside, working with our re3 partners.”