UPDATE: Council responds to concerns over waste collection in West Berkshire Isolating collection staff and post-Christmas demand take toll on local services Charlie Masters '); Households across the district can expect later than usual waste and recycling collections this week, as West Berkshire Council struggles to keep up with post-Christmas demand. Fewer staff are available at present for waste pickups. This, coupled with a seasonal surge in the volume of waste, has put stress on council services. Newbury Weekly News photographer Phil Cannings captured scenes from Newbury's streets, where large quantities of waste have been left uncollected. In a message addressed to local parish councils, the WBC's waste officer Lisa Vine said: "Unfortunately we are having some issues with rubbish and recycling collections, due to volume of waste after Christmas and a number of collection staff isolating.