A SENIOR councillor has hit back in the face of criticism about another Barnsley Council decision on bins which affects those over 80.

Last week the Chronicle reported that residents are to lose the automatic right to have their bins collected from outside their home when they pass their 80th birthday.

The decision was blasted ‘totally disgraceful’ among hundreds of comments on social media this week.

But Coun Roy Miller insisted there was no intention of removing the service from anyone who currently receives it, and furthermore, it will still be available to those who need it.

“Nobody is going to be losing this service,” said Coun Miller, a member of the council’s ruling cabinet.

“People who need the service will still be able to access the service.

“The issue is that people are living longer, there’s going to be a huge increase in the number of people over 80, and they are fitter.

“Until now people have been able to access this just because they’ve reached the age of 80, but not everybody needs it.

“It’s now going to be based on people’s individual needs, and we’re also making it even easier for those who need it to access it through work we’re doing with staff in public health.

“It’s important people realise we’re not taking it away from anyone and it will still be there to people who need it.”