 Potential changes to rubbish and recycling collections
We're looking at changing the way your rubbish and recycling is collected to drive up the borough’s recycling rate by 10 per cent and save more than £1 million per year within two years.
The proposed changes will be discussed by our decision-making Executive at its meeting on Tuesday 21 March. They include:
- Moving general rubbish and recycling collections from weekly to alternate weekly, meaning general rubbish will be collected one week and recycling will be collected the next
- Introducing wheeled-bins for general rubbish, instead of using current plastic bags
Food waste collections would continue to be weekly, and the subscription garden waste collection service fortnightly.
These changes, if approved, would help us meet the government’s new recycling target for local authorities and our own climate emergency goal, while the savings would enable us to protect our vital services and help our residents during this tough time.
If approved, alternate weekly collections would start in late summer 2024 and delivery of wheeled-bins to residents would be before then. Flats and properties with narrow access are excluded from the changes.
 Free road closures for King's Coronation parties
We're making it easier to celebrate His Majesty King Charles III's upcoming coronation by waiving our usual road closure charges during this year's additional Bank Holiday weekend of 6, 7 and 8 May.
Residents typically have to pay a fee which covers costs like signs, diversion routes and basic administration, but we want to support you and your neighbours if you've got a street party lined up on these dates.
We know many of you can't wait to break out the bunting, cook up your finest cakes and make the most of this momentous occasion, which we're encouraging.
Whether you live in a road or cul-de-sac, you'll need to apply to us before 16 April - please press the blue button below to get started. We look forward to hearing from you and wish you all the best for your festivities.
 Innovative way to increase biodiversity and protect our green spaces
Biodiversity in the borough is set to improve if a new biodiversity net gain pilot scheme is approved by our decision-making Executive on Tuesday 21 March, which would see new woodland and wildflower meadows created and existing woodlands improved at Ashenbury Park in Woodley. If successful, the pilot could lead to further enhancement of the borough’s green spaces.
Biodiversity net gain (BNG) is the process of increasing the amount of natural habitats and wildlife within an area, by creating new habitats and restoring and improving existing habitats.
BNG ensures that any development puts more back into the environment than it takes out. The Environment Act 2021 will require developers to improve the biodiversity of development sites by 10 per cent from later this year. If a developer can’t meet this requirement on site, they will need to buy biodiversity net gain units nearby.
The pilot scheme at Ashenbury Park would see improvements to most of the park, except the children’s play area and the events field which would remain as they currently are. The BNG pilot project would enrich the park’s biodiversity and protect it for 30 years.
Local residents, park users, Woodley Town Council and other interested parties will be able to give their views on the designs in a consultation in early summer, with the planting and seeding intended to be complete by March 2024.
 Celebrating our differences for Neurodiversity Week
This week is Neurodiversity Celebration Week (13 to 19 March), a worldwide initiative that aims to challenge stereotypes and misconceptions about neurological differences such as autism, dyslexia and ADHD.
Neurodiversity refers to a world where neurological differences are recognised and respected, with as much as one fifth of the population believed to have such a difference.
To celebrate, two of our councillors have shared their personal experiences of what neurodiversity means to them. Cllr Imogen Shepherd-Dubey is proudly autistic herself, while Cllr Jackie Rance has several family members with autism, or with ADHD.
We are developing our strategy to improve people’s opportunities and experiences locally. To find out more, email autismstrategy@wokingham.gov.uk.
 Nesting boxes bring owls back to borough
Barn owls are on the rise in Wokingham Borough after decades of decline, thanks to a long-running conservation scheme which we support.
In the 20 years since the Wokingham Borough Barn Owl Project was launched, the number of local breeding pairs is thought to have increased about four times to at least 20 – with 280 chicks fledged over the same period, typically 14 a year.
That’s a great sign for the environment as barn owls are a “key indicator” species, meaning their health reflects similar patterns in other animals, plants and fungi. It shows the borough is playing its part in an ongoing increase in barn owls nationally.
The project, run in partnership with the Barn Owl Conservation Network, Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership (BVCP) and others, has successfully aimed to grow the local population by setting up nest boxes and keeping an eye on numbers.
The boxes are surveyed annually and the data is shared with national charities to help them see the bigger picture. (Photo credit, above: Chris Bean)
 Council Tax: go digital, save time and effort
We've posted Council Tax bills to households across the borough and want to make it as quick and simple as possible for everyone to pay.
Being registered for online services lets you see your bill without waiting for the paper version and reduces the number of letters we send out, which is better for the environment. You'll also get an email whenever you have a new bill.
If you have a Council Tax account, you can also switch to paperless billing.
Paying by direct debit is our preferred method of payment as it keeps costs down for residents and the council. It is safe, simple and quick and you don’t have to remember to pay your bill each month as payments are made automatically.
If you have any questions, you can email the team or call (0118) 974 6000.
 A feast of Easter fun for all ages
There are plenty of opportunities to go outside and get active over the upcoming Easter holidays - and it's a good idea to book now, as places are going fast!
We're offering the popular Wild Days Holiday Club for children aged eight to 13 at Dinton Pastures Country Park, with activities including climbing, archery, fencing, raft building, kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding.
Sessions cost £30 per person and can be booked on the Dinton Pastures website. Dinton is also hosting Junior Sailing Weeks and the Royal Yachting Association Youth Sailing Scheme as well as archery taster sessions for all ages, including adults, with professional guidance on hand.
Meanwhile, children aged five to 15 can attend Reading FC's series of football camps at Cantley Park in Wokingham, which will also be returning in the May half-term holidays. Dates, times, prices and booking forms can be found on the club's website.
And if you just fancy a stroll around our beautiful countryside, check out our interactive map of the borough's rights of way which we produced with the Loddon Valley Ramblers' help.
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