'Not feasibile to maintain status quo': Doncaster Council publishes recycling policies for the first time

Documents relating to the decision state that “to date there are no published documents in relation to established policies and procedures” and this can lead to “difficulties and / or confrontation when these requirements need to be implemented and enforced”.

The decision documents suggest these difficulties have arisen in relation to policies including “charges for new and replacement wheeled bins, or timescales for reporting missed collections”.

“Officers do not consider it feasible to maintain the status quo. In the modern digital age, established policies and procedures should be publicly available on the Council’s website (for residents and businesses to view),” the report said.

Doncaster Council did not respond when asked for a comment by the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS).

According to the published policies and procedures, which were included in the decision papers, missed collections must be reported within 48 hours of the scheduled time.

Return visits to collect the bin should then be scheduled for the next working day, the policy states.

The documents also explain that residents will be charged for the supply and delivery of new bins – excluding the blue and green recycling boxes.

It reads: “Officers have no discretion in the application of Council fees and charges policy. Residents will need to pay the applicable charge before the Council will deliver a new or replacement bin.”

Difficulties with residents may surround the circumstances from which a new bin has been requested.

The documents explain that charges will still be administered in the event a bin is lost or stolen and vandalised, including arson.