Unpopular plans to scrap 150 litter bins across the borough will now not go ahead, it has been confirmed – with a final decision now not likely until after council elections next year.

Wokingham Borough Council leaders have voted to look at other ways to save money on public litter bin collections, in a lengthy process that could take the best part of a year.

Liberal Democrat council leader Stephen Conway said he hoped this would "offer a way forward for the council" and "enable us to reach a satisfactory conclusion on this matter."

Wokingham Borough Council announced plans earlier this year to get rid of some public litter bins and empty others less often as part of cost-saving measures.

But an early move to cover up some bins in July resulted in others overflowing, causing anger and confusion among residents.

The council then reversed the move and launched a public consultation on the changes – which showed strong opposition to the plans. Some 1,800 people also signed a petition against the move, which was handed to council leaders in September.

Now Wokinghakm Borough Council leaders have voted not to go ahead with the plans, instead allowing a “task and finish group” of councillors to look at alternative options. These could include looking at ways to involve town and parish councils, as well as businesses, in running the litter bins.

READ MORE: Wokingham Borough Council litter bin petition defeated

Liberal Democrat councillor Chris Johnson brought this proposal to council leaders at a meeting on Thursday, October 26.

But he added this would go on long into 2024, and not be finished before May, which is when the next round of local elections is set to take place.

Councillor Johnson said: “This isn’t going to be a short three-month, two-month process– this is going to be quite a lengthy process because there is a lot to take on board. There are lots of options we want to explore.

“It’s going to be something I imagine that will go well into 2024. It’s not something that we will achieve before May.” He added it could take 'a good eight to 10 months or more'.

Councillor Johnson said the overview and scrutiny committee that he is chairman for – a group of councillors from all parties who scrutinise council decisions – had found 'the public would like better thoughts put around the waste bin collection and facilities'.

The committee had unanimously agreed not to endorse the bin closures, but to ask council leaders for the task and finish group instead. Other proposed changes – such as reducing the amount of times a year that grass verges will be cut – are to go ahead.

Councillor Ian Shenton – responsible for street maintenance – said the changes 'stem from the pressing need to making savings from the revenue budget'.