CLACKS councillors last week sought to dispel myths around bin collections as they approved a waste and recycling policy in the wake of complaints.

A policy paper detailed the level of service people in Clackmannanshire should expect, following a motion by Councillor Craig Holden in April.

In summarising the document tabled at last Thursday's, August 19 meeting, Cllr Craig Holden said: "There are clear statements regarding the level of service householders can expect from council staff, guidelines on what materials are to be deposited in bins, improvements to the qualifying criteria for larger bins which will ensure that larger families, those with healthcare and medical needs and where two or more young children are in the household.

"Bins must now be returned by operatives to the place where householders put them.
"If bins are not uplifted householders must be provided with a tag, explaining why it's not been uplifted.

"Householders will have a contact number to call if their bin has not been uplifted, a record will now be kept of issue and complaints.

"People who put things in bins that are not uplifted will now be given a warning, the bin must be picked up within five working days as opposed to the three weeks which was the case previously.

"A waste service review group is to be established, which will monitor complaints received.

"Councillors will oversee this to ensure people's bins are not being unfairly uncollected."
A code of conduct is also being introduced for staff along with training in the handling of conflicts and customer service.

People will also be able to use black bags for bulky uplifts to prevent rubbish being strewn around, Cllr Holden explained.

He added: "Householders are now able to use vans and cars of any size to deposit their waste at the recycling centre and this was not allowed before.

"Measures will be introduced to ensure commercial users are not exploiting the system to the detriment of non-commercial users and the arrangements for the disposal of soil and rubble from householders is to be reviewed in order to make the process easier and to make the process safer.

"In addition to the aforementioned policy proposals a number of existing practices are retained."

This includes bins not being collected if the lid is open or bins deemed excessively heavy.
As highlighted in the Advertiser last week, the reason for the latter practice is rooted in health and safety, where the council has a legal requirement.

Council papers also revealed that the waste service "currently has a high proportion of absence related to musculoskeletal injuries".

The paper was supported in all corners of the virtual Kilncraigs chamber and councillors also called for civility in the wake of attacks on social media.

Cllr Jane McTaggart, who was later selected as older people's champion, said: "The council has a commitment to its employees as well as to its customers.

"Suggestions are being made on social media that bins are just wheeled from the pavement to the motor and the motor lifts them – but if you're doing that repeatedly hundreds of times a day, thousands of times a week, it's realistic to assume there would be resulting health risks."