ROSSENDALE Council is set to reverse its decision to cancel doorstep bin collections for rural 368 households.

Coun Alyson Barnes, leader of the council told angry residents at the council’s Cabinet meeting that she would be recommending that they scrapped the policy because of concern at the strength of public feeling.

She said: “Unlike the previous Conservative council, we are determined to be a listening council.

“The incompetence of the previous administration meant we were left with this policy, which had already been forced through despite the fact no proper consultation had been held.

“These savings had already been taken out of the budget but I will be asking council officers to look again at where we can save this money.”

But campaigning residents - who have dubbed themselves DIY Binmen - said they would not celebrate until the matter was formally resolved for all 668 households.

Campaigner Lesley Ham, 57, of Crawshaw Farm, Whitworth who plans to present the council with a 2,000 signature petition on Monday, said: “We are not treating this as a victory as yet but we welcome the sentiments from Alyson Barnes.

“We held a public meeting on Wednesday night and around 150 people turned up, proving this is still an issue close to people’s hearts.

"We will not settle until an adequate result is reached for all rural properties.

"We understand a number of residents have felt coerced into agreeing to communal collections so we will be standing together until we are all happy.”

Council officers are exploring new ways of making savings.

Coun Barnes said: “In the end this policy just felt wrong. We will be looking at alternative ways to save money and the 368 properties will continue to have doorstep collections.”

The decision will be formally made by full council on September 28 and consultation will continue until September 16.