The council has defended its bin changes again – this time after one of the district’s MPs had a pop about it by publishing her ‘Bin Bodge Dossier’.
The council is sticking to its guns over the recent changes to bin collections, following criticism from local MP Olivia Bailey, who has published her 'Bin Bodge Dossier'.
Bailey, MP for Reading West and Mid Berkshire, has expressed the worries of residents regarding the shift from fortnightly to three-weekly black bin collections, which began on September 22. In her survey, over 700 residents responded, with a staggering 92% fearing that the new schedule will lead to more fly-tipping.
She stated, “Residents in West Berkshire who responded to my survey are overwhelmingly opposed to the change... I share their concerns, and will continue to urge the council to listen to my constituents.” Many respondents questioned whether the changes would really boost recycling, highlighting the need for support for those with unavoidable waste like nappies.
Concerns were also raised about the impact on families with young children and those with long-term medical issues, who may struggle with waste disposal under the new arrangement. Furthermore, residents without cars, often the most vulnerable, could feel the brunt of the reduced collection frequency.
In response, Stuart Gourley from West Berkshire Council acknowledged the concerns but reassured residents that support is available during this transition. He noted that the decision followed significant consultation, which attracted over 5,000 responses last autumn.
Gourley highlighted that nearly half of respondents indicated they had space left in their bins after two weeks. He added that the council has approved over 500 requests for extra capacity this year alone and continues to offer assisted collections for those in need.
He expressed confidence that the changes would lead to higher recycling rates and less waste, noting a 20-ton weekly increase in food waste collection since the new system began. “I want to thank residents for helping to make these changes,” he said, encouraging anyone with concerns to reach out to the council.
Niki Hinman, Local Democracy Reporter
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