 Covid Memorial Woodland - opening in 2026
We planted our Covid Memorial Woodland just north of California Country Park, with the help of many volunteers earlier this year.
We’re now planning to open the woodland in 2026, giving it the best possible start and ensuring it thrives for years to come. This year’s hot, dry weather made it especially difficult for young trees to establish, despite extra watering and care.
During the winter, our teams and contractors will replant trees where needed, sow more wildflowers and continue preparing the site. This extra time allows the woodland to grow into a healthy, resilient and peaceful space for reflection and remembrance.
We’ll share further updates next year as the woodland continues to take shape.
Sixth climate action progress report published
 We've published our , showing continued progress towards becoming a carbon neutral borough by 2030.
We were also recognised for the Most Improved Climate Action Plan for single tier authorities in this year’s Climate Action Scorecard process, an assessment that reviews all UK councils on the actions they’ve taken towards net zero.
The report covers April 2024 to March 2025 and outlines across nine priority areas.
This includes securing £750,000 Warm Homes government funding to improve the energy efficiency of social homes across the borough and the successful delivery of the Solar Together scheme, which has enabled more than 500 homes to install solar panels helping residents to reduce their energy bills.
 Maintaining public rights of way across the borough
We carry out two scheduled cuts to maintain 145 miles of public rights of way, including footpaths, bridleways and byways each year. This ensures they remain open, safe and accessible for all users.
The second cut of the year began earlier this month. So far, our team has completed work in Remenham Parish Council, including the Thames Towpath.
We are now progressing through paths in the Wargrave Parish Council and St Nicholas Hurst Parish Council areas.
Our two operatives cover a combined nine miles per day over 65 days, using a range of specialist equipment such as:
- Pedestrian brush cut mowers
- Ride-on mowers
- Strimmers
- Hedge cutters
- Chainsaws (for fallen trees)
We also work with local organisations and volunteers to help keep the network clear.
If you notice an issue on a public right of way, such as overgrown foliage, please report it.
To explore the borough’s rights of way network, visit our interactive map.
 Winter opening hours at re3 recycling centres
From 1 October to 31 March, re3 recycling centres in Reading and Bracknell are open from 8am to 6pm daily.
The change reflects quieter evenings and reduced visitor numbers during the winter months.
 Proposed solar canopies at Mereoak Park and Ride
We have submitted a proposal for installing solar canopies at Mereoak Park and Ride, near Junction 11 of the M4.
If approved, the project would generate around 1.2 million kWh of renewable electricity each year. That is enough to power more than 440 average UK homes or charge 150,000 electric vehicles for a whole year.
No decision has been made. The project is subject to the planning process and will only go ahead if approval is granted and the business case remains viable.
 Support our campaign to protect local services
The Government will soon make its final decision on the vital issue of how much money local councils will receive for the next three years – and we need you to support our calls for protection against significant real-term cuts.
Under the Government's initial proposals, we would be one of many councils facing very significant financial challenges, with an effective loss of real-term funding that would hit local services. We do not know exactly how we would make up for these losses but will have to consider all expenditure including on services such as waste and recycling, street cleansing and grass cutting.
Our call is for a minimum basic annual increase of four per cent per year to provide a safety net for all councils that would help us protect existing services.
We are working with other councils and MPs to put our case to the Government need residents to give their support and help us show the strength of local feeling.
If you support a minimum funding increase to protect vital services in top tier councils (those who are responsible for adults and children’s social care), we just want your agreement that you support our case by selecting the button below
 Toothpaste tubes can now go in your recycling
Good news for Wokingham borough residents, you can now recycle used toothpaste tubes with your regular recycling.
Thanks to new processes introduced by re3, items like toothpaste tubes can be placed in your recycling bag at home or dropped into the recycling bin at any re3 recycling centre.
It’s all co-mingled, so there’s no need to separate. Just pop it in and you’re done. This simple change helps reduce waste and supports a more sustainable borough.
Check what else you can recycle and find your nearest re3 recycling centre.
 Get better energy tariffs by switching
Join more than 2,000 Wokingham borough residents who have registered to explore better energy tariffs.
Thousands of residents have already registered for the Big Community Switch. Don’t miss your chance to see if you could save on your energy bills.
The scheme is free, quick to join and gives you access to competitive tariffs from trusted suppliers, including 100 per cent renewable energy options. There’s no pressure to switch.
Registration closes at the end of the month, on Friday 31 October. Join your neighbours and take control of your energy costs.
 Help with energy bills and keeping your home warm
As the weather gets colder and energy use increases, you may be thinking about how to stay warm and reduce your bills.
Our team is running Warm Homes drop-in sessions at local libraries this autumn and winter. These are free, informal events where you can speak to someone in person about:
- Ways to lower your energy bills at home
- Thermal imaging camera loan scheme and demos
- DIY tips to insulate your home
- The Big Community Switch for competitive energy tariffs
You don’t need to book, just drop in and say hello.
We’ll soon be sharing more practical tips on home insulation upgrades you can do yourself - helping you stay warm in winter, cool in summer and save money all year round.
 How do you get to work?
If you live or work in Wokingham Borough, we’d like to hear about your commute to work.
How do you get to work typically? Where do you commute to and from? What might encourage you to change your habits and potentially travel to work more sustainably? We’d like you to tell us in our annual survey.
Your answers will help us identify where we could improve the borough’s transport network – so that it’s easier for you to get to work.
The survey is open until 21 October. After taking it, you can enter a prize draw and be in with a chance of winning one of three £100 Love2shop vouchers.
|
