“Show you take people seriously.” That’s the warning the Labour Party has sent to Wokingham Borough Council leaders over “badly handled” proposals to reduce litter bins and grass mowing.

The council this week unveiled a list of the 150 litter bins it proposes to get rid of across the borough, in a consultation on the changes.

Liberal Democrat council leaders say they need to make the cuts as part of cost-saving measures designed to protect services for more vulnerable residents. But the Labour Party group has warned that councillors need to work hard to win backing for the proposals.

Labour councillor Andy Croy said: “If the consultation is written in the wrong way there’s a vast danger that people will feel that what they have to say is ignored.”

READ MORE: Wokingham council unveils plans to scrap 150 litter bins

His warning comes after a bodged attempt to bring the changes in last month resulted in outrage from some residents, with pictures of overflowing bins appearing on social media.

Wokingham Borough Council then had to reverse the move, admitting that it should have consulted residents first before approving the changes with a vote by its leading councillors.

Councillor Croy said: “One of the biggest concerns is the way this was communicated – the initial communication was absolutely terrible.

“If you don’t get the public support then the risk is that the backlash means it’s impossible to do the things which might be necessary. This was about political management.”

Explaining the proposals this week, council leader Stephen Conway said finding savings was vital to protect other frontline services in the face of the cost of living crisis and rising demand.

He said: “We can’t overstate the severity of the risk to our finances, nor the dire need to make efficiencies. Other councils have effectively gone bankrupt in this harsh climate and we must not let that happen here.”

READ MORE: Wokingham council leader admits “error” over bin closures

He added: “Our consultation is a genuine listening exercise and we urge people to take part, although we're being honest from the outset – we can look at alternative ideas, but these savings must and will be made somehow.”

Councillor Croy said Labour accepted the need for cuts as the council is “under a lot of financial pressure.” But he warned the council now had a harder job to convince its residents.

He said: “I suspect because it’s been so badly handled up to now people will have already made their minds up.

“If the council engages people properly it can change their minds. My worry is the damage has been done.”

The survey is being run on the Wokingham Borough Council website. Results will be reported to the council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee on October 2, before a final decision by its ruling Executive Committee on October 26.