Work on introducing doorstep glass recycling and determining the future of getting about in Bracknell are among the key projects the council has been doing over the last few months.
Bracknell Forest Council’s Labour cabinet approved a kerbside glass recycling scheme, which will see glass collected from people’s homes for the first time in the area.
Glass is currently recycled at bottle banks in various locations, which can sometimes become focal points for fly-tipping and other anti-social behaviour.
The decision was made by the cabinet this June, with a view to introducing the service in autumn next year.
A plan is now being developed to provide all households with a slim-line wheelie bin, whilst flats will be provided with larger communal bins.
The cabinet also approved the local transport strategy for 2025-2037, which lays out how driving, walking, cycling and public transport will function over the next 12 years.
While it expresses a desire for more bus and active travel use, it acknowledges that car use is still an important transport method, with the council investing £5 million in the road network over four years.
To that end, the 157, 158, 598, X94 bus routes have been extended.
Bracknell was also the only council in Berkshire to declare an underspend against its approved budget for the 2024/25 financial year.
On ethics, the council adopted the Unison Anti-Racism Charter at a launch event on June 23, which binds it to being “anti-racist, not just non-racist” in all it does.
The council also adopted its climate strategy for the next five years, and established the Communities Partnership Delivery Group, with representation from more than 20 organisations, focused on building strong, connected and cohesive communities.
These achievements feature in a report by Catalin Bogos, the council’s head of performance, policy and partnerships, which will be presented at a meeting of its overview and scrutiny commission.
However, there have been challenges. The delivery of a special school for autistic children at the Buckler’s Park development in Crowthorne has been put on hold pending an update from the Department of Education.
Concern has also been expressed about the council’s financial performance.
Early monitoring indicates a predicted underspend of £2.275 million that becomes a potential overspend of £410,00 once emerging issues and risks are added.
The report, covering Quarter 1 of 2025/26 from April to June, will be discussed at the meeting of the council’s overview and scrutiny commission on Thursday, September 4.
The committee is made up of six Labour councillors, three Conservatives, two Liberal Democrats and cllr Adrian Haffegee (Green, Binfield North & Warfield West).
