Open door 14 - Barnsley Council Online

Changes to your green bin
this winter Page 4
Adult learning Page 8 and 9
Service cuts and you
Page 12 and 13
BARNSLEY
Metropolitan Borough Council

Welcome
What’s inside...
Reminder to parents
Admission to school
Was your child born between 1/9/07 - 31/8/08?
The closing date for applications for the academic year 2012/13 is:
MONDAY 16 JANUARY 2012
On-line admissions: You can now submit your preferences on-line. Simply log on
to: www.barnsley.gov.uk/schooladmissions and click on the apply on-line link
2 0 1 2 / 1 3
In a recent survey into readers’ views
on open door, although the number of
responses was low, the majority
wanted to hear more about the cuts to
council services. Pages 12/13 outline
how, while we have made £22.5m
cuts in the first year, we still need to
find some £24m over the next three
years. It continues to be a challenge
for both the council and our service
users but one we all have to address.
Despite these difficult times for many
people, on page 17 we highlight how
some people are actually paying too
much council tax and explain where
they can go for advice.
On page 19 we explain how the 'Right
to Control' pilot programme aims to
give both disabled people and people
with long term health or mental
conditions more choice and control
over the services they use.
Finally, we would like to endorse the
sentiments clearly expressed by the
Mayor in her message on page 10 -
'Merry Christmas everyone'.
12 Service cuts and you
5
History in
5 Wet your appetite 14 the making
Also in this issue...
• First time buyers
• Democracy in action
• Keep safe this Christmas
10
Your comments and views are welcome.
Contact Bob Williams,
Head of Corporate Communications,
GatewayPlaza, Level 9
Barnsley S70 9GG Tel: 01226 774586
Email: bobwilliams@barnsley.gov.uk
open door is published by Barnsley
Council and is also available on line at
barnsley.gov.uk
Flying
the flag
18 Fostering
8 Adult learning
14
• What’s on
• Changes to your green bin
• We are the champions
If you need help understanding this
document please contact Corporate
Communications on 01226 773443.
Lost your application form or booklet? For another copy...
Tel: 773689/773677/773588
Don’t forget to hand in your pink common application form to your first preference school by the closing date.
BARNSLEY
Metropolitan Borough Council
Cllr Steve Houghton, Leader
Phil Coppard, Chief Executive
Front cover: School children go back in
time in Cannon Hall’s Victorian kitchens
Follow barnsleycouncil on
Facebook and Twitter
All content is correct at time of going to print.
3

Changes to your
green bin this winter
Wet your
appetite
We are asking you to change what you put in your green bin this winter. From 6 December to
29 February, we are asking householders across the borough to put only clean cardboard in their
green bin.
Why are we introducing
this change?
Well, we’ve noticed there is a significant
reduction in the amount of garden waste
we collect from green bins during the
winter months. During this period up to
90 percent of the waste in green bins is
cardboard.
Throughout the rest of year, the
cardboard and green waste are more in
proportion with one another, which
means they can be easily composted.
However, during the winter when most of
the content collected is cardboard, from
which tape, plastic inserts, polystyrene
fillers has not been removed by the
householder prior to disposal, it raises
environmental concerns about the suitability
of turning it into compost. Keeping our
environment a priority, it makes sense for
us to stop collecting green waste during
this period in favour of clean cardboard
only, which we can recycle.
Therefore, from the beginning of
December to the end of February, only
green bins containing clean cardboard,
which are free from contamination will
be collected.
This winter please don’t put the
following items in your green bin:
Garden waste
Household waste
Tape
Plastic inserts
Polystyrene filler
What should I do with my
green waste?
•Use a home compostor, available from
most DIY stores, garden centres and
Yorkshire Water by calling 08444
721889 or visit
www.yorkshire.savewater.co.uk
•Or take it to your nearest
household waste recycling
centre.
Further information
If you have any queries or require further
information please contact us by email at
wastemanagement@barnsley.gov.uk or
call 01226 772045. Alternatively, visit
our website where you can apply, report
and pay for a range of waste and
recycling services at
www.barnsley.gov.uk/waste
December, January
and February ...
Cardboard ONLY
March to November ...
Cardboard AND
Garden Waste
This walk starts at Old Moor
Wetlands carpark and covers a
distance of 5km. Some sections
have uneven grass and stone
surfaces whilst short sections
may be wet and muddy.
Leave the carpark over the small bridge
and turn left onto the Trans Pennine Trail.
The underpass murals are by Dearne
Valley College students and Spearfish.
Keep left along the trail as it starts to
climb through the wooded section of
Manvers restoration site.
As the path descends out of the trees
and close to the river, leave the TPT and
turn left, crossing the former railway
bridge over the River Dearne and follow
the dismantled railway line. On your left
is Old Moor Wetlands and on your right
is Bolton Ings. Watch local wildlife from
the cormorant bird hide.
At the end of the railway line, cross the
bridge, bear left along the field edge
beside River Dearne and under the main
road.
Turn left onto the old road and to
Broomhill village then bear left down
Highgate out of the village. Rather than
walking on the pavement you could
wander through Broomhill Park on
your left enjoying the
pond, seats and
children's
play area.
To Barnsley
BROOMHILL
P ont ef rac t Road
Broom h i ll
Lane
D earne V alley P ark w ay
P
At the small carpark for Broom Hill Park
cross over the road and down the slope
or steps onto Gypsy Marsh. This small
wetland is managed by RSPB and
grazed by cattle for part of the year to
help the local plants thrive.
Cross over the stile and turn left back
onto the TPT. Go under Gypsy Marsh
underpass. The wonderful community
artwork was carried out in 2010 as part
of the TPT 21st Anniversary celebrations.
Follow the TPT back to Old Moor,
carefully crossing Pontefract Road. If you
have time or need to warm up visit
the RSPB centre and Old
Moor Café (open
10am to 4pm).
Trans P enni ne Trai l
N
Manv ers W ay
Barnsley Road
To W at h u p on D earne
4
© Crown copyright, Barnsley Metropolitan
Borough Council, Licence No. LA10002264
5

Democracy
in action
Using scrutiny to have your say
The job of the council’s four scrutiny commissions – Community
Wellbeing, Economy and Skills, Personal and Family
Wellbeing, and Physical Sustainability - is to get under the skin
of what the council and other organisations are doing.
They check if they are working well, delivering value for
money and, most important of all, achieving what they said
they were going to achieve. If they are not, then they tell them
and make often hard hitting recommendations about how they
should make things better.
This year, the scrutiny commissions have been focusing on the
impact of financial reductions and nationally-driven policies on
Barnsley’s different communities. For instance they have looked
at what will happen to crime as a result of the police and
council budget cuts. They have also looked at the impact on
Barnsley’s housing and whether some Barnsley homes will no
longer be properly maintained.
Barnsley’s scrutiny commissions are there to speak up for our
Barnsley people and ask the questions you might like to, but
don’t know how to, in order to get your voice heard. Let us
know what matters to you – be it a big issue or a small one –
and if the commission agrees to look at it, you could well be
asked to come to the meeting and put your own questions to
those in charge.
Since Barnsley first set up its scrutiny commissions they have
carried out a huge amount of work on behalf of Barnsley
people and many of the ideas and recommendations which
have come up with have been accepted.
If you would like to get involved in the scrutiny commissions, or
want to find out more then contact scrutiny@barnsley.gov.uk.
Alternatively, ring the Democratic and Member Engagement
Team on 01226 773004
The white
stuff
How we are preparing for snowy weather
Barnsley Council, as highway authority, is responsible for the
maintenance of all roads in its area, with the exception of some
private roads and all motorways and trunk roads, which are the
responsibility of the Highways Agency.
The council's approach to winter maintenance follows the
National Code of Practice, this means we focus on keeping
major and strategic routes (known as primary routes) clear of ice
by carrying out precautionary gritting and snow clearing of
these routes when necessary.
Grit bins are also provided at strategic locations on non-primary
routes to allow self-help by motorists and pedestrians who
encounter difficulties in adverse weather conditions.
In times of extreme measures a contingency plan is brought into
action whereby non-highways and engineering personnel assist
the service with snow clearing duties.
For more information on gritting and grit bins please visit:
www.barnsley.gov.uk/roads-gritting You will also be able to get
information about footpath gritting which is detailed in the Snow Plan.
The council homepage www.barnsley.gov.uk will be kept updated
with the latest news on adverse weather so please check it daily.
Barnsley Connects will be open throughout the Christmas and
New Year period, although in times of heavy snow some office
locations may not open until 9.30am. However, there will
always be someone answering the phone so please call 01226
775656 to speak to a Barnsley Connects Service Operator who
will deal with your enquiry.
Christmas is coming -
a time for family get togethers,
trimming up the house and sharing gifts.
To help you have a safe and
successful celebration, our Trading
Standards officers have put
together the following advice.
Decorations
Traditionally, many of us like to decorate
our homes for Christmas. However, more
people die from house fires over
Christmas and New Year than at any
other time.
Fairy lights, Christmas tree lights,
multiple sets of lights and other kinds of
decorative lights get used less often than
your everyday lights, and they need
more care. Here's a guide to using tree
lights safely and follow some useful tips:
Do:
Check lights are fitted with an
approved plug with a three amp
fuse or mains transformer,
use a three-pin plug that conforms
to British Standards,
make sure wires are double
insulated and firmly attached to the
plug by the cord restraint,
check for exposed wires,
particularly at the bulb holders,
use the correct spare bulbs and
ensure a fuse bulb (normally painted
white) is fitted,
remove the plug from the mains
before checking bulbs,
position the tree carefully to avoid
blocking exits.
Don't:
Use lights designed for indoors use
outdoors,
overload electrical sockets,
leave lights on unattended,
run cords for long distances that may
cause a tripping hazard,
allow children to play with Christmas
tree lights.
Christmas Shopping
While enjoying your Christmas
shopping, make sure you know your
consumer rights and keep safety in
mind.
Do not buy cheap imports or second
hand goods if they do not conform to
product safety standards - they could
be a serious safety hazard to you or
your children. Be particularly careful
buying toys and clothes for children.
If anything you buy - from gifts to a
new set of fairy lights - turns out to be
faulty you have a right to claim a
repair, replacement or refund. If an
item is faulty, it is up to the retailer you
bought the goods from to sort the
matter out - not the manufacturer.
Keep all your receipts in case you
need to return any purchases.
For more information or enquiries
please call Consumer Direct on
08454 040506.
6
7

“Achieving my English qualification has given
me lots of other opportunities.” Bev from Wombwell.
New year
new opportunities
a focus on adult learning
Taming toddlers, brushing up English or maths skills, getting childcare
qualifications, using Facebook safely, preparing for employment,
expressing your artistic side through stained glass-making ...
Whatever your goals and aspirations, tutors from Barnsley's Adult
and Family Learning Service are available to discuss how you can
achieve them from the range of courses run regularly at venues
around the borough.
As the main provider of adult and
community learning in Barnsley, the
service provides courses to suit a wide
range of needs and interests in resource
centres, Advanced Learning Centres and
community venues.
Classes are made as accessible as
possible to meet people's circumstances,
with daytime and twilight sessions
offered. Course lengths vary from just a
few weeks to 36 or 48 weeks where
higher level qualifications are gained.
All courses are taught by tutors
employed by the council who are fully
qualified and experienced in teaching
their subjects.
In its last inspection, education standards
body Ofsted reported that Barnsley
Council is a good provider of adult
learning.
"Teaching and learning are good and
some sessions are outstanding," Ofsted
said. "Managers understand what local
people need to help them improve their
basic skills, employability, health and
fitness and general well being," the
inspectors added.
Course fees are set out in the leaflet
Course List 2011-2012, see
www.barnsley.gov.uk/adult-learningenrolment-information
Some, including
adult literacy, numeracy and family
learning are free. A £5 registration fee
applies.
So if you fancy sewing, whether
introductory or advanced level, gaining
the European Computer Driving Licence
qualification or enhancing your camera
skills through a digital photography
course, get in touch with the Adult and
Family Learning Service.
They can even show you how to put
together a healthy lunchbox!
Find out more by visiting the Eldon
Centre at Eldon Street North (S71 1LQ),
call 01226 775270/1, or email
adultlearning@barnsley.gov.uk See also
www.barnsley.gov.uk/adultlearning
“The tutor explains
things very well
and she is very
patient.”
Jane, student at a
children’s centre
Vocationally-related courses are
available in
• maths and English
• IT and office skills
• childcare
• teaching assistants
• health and safety
• sign language
• food hygiene
• shorthand
• tailoring.
Courses are also offered in
• digital photography
• family learning
• stained glasswork
• foreign languages
• cookery
• cake decorating
• arts and crafts
• soft furnishing
• garment making
• health and fitness.
8
'At the start of the course Microsoft
Excel was completely alien to me. Now
I enjoy working on the programme.”
Ben from Redbrook.
9

Flying the flag
Ever seen the Union Flag flying from
Barnsley Town Hall and wondered
what the special occasion is?
The Government's Department for
Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS)
provides guidance for hoisting the
Union Flag on UK government
buildings.
Barnsley Council has the freedom to
fly the Union Flag on its buildings
whenever it wishes beyond the
designated fixed flag flying days.
DCMS will inform departments of any
other occasions when Her Majesty
has given a special command.
Country flags
• on St George’s Day, the Cross of
St George may be flown from UK
Government buildings in England
with two or more flagpoles.
How should the Union
Flag be flown?
The Union Flag must be flown the
correct way up. This is with the wider
diagonal white stripe above the red
diagonal stripe in the half nearest to
the flag pole. The wider diagonal
white stripe should be above the red
diagonal stripe at the top left hand
side of the Flag nearest the flag pole:
Fixed Union Flag flying
dates
For those UK Government
Departments not wishing to fly the
Union Flag daily on their buildings,
the relevant designated fixed flag
flying days each year on which the
Union Flag is to be flown remain.
The Union Flag is flown from 8am
until sunset.
Dates for Hoisting Flags on UK
Government Buildings 2012
JANUARY
9
Birthday of HRH Duchess of
Cambridge
20
Birthday of The Countess of Wessex
FEBRUARY
6
Her Majesty's Accession
19
Birthday of The Duke of York
MARCH
12
Commonwealth Day
(second Monday in March)
10
Birthday of The Earl of Wessex
APRIL
21
Birthday of Her Majesty The Queen
23
St George’s Day
MAY
9
Europe Day
JUNE
2
Coronation Day
10
Birthday of The Duke of Edinburgh
11
Official Celebration of
Her Majesty’s Birthday
21
Birthday of HRH The Duke of Cambridge
JULY
17
Birthday of The Duchess of Cornwall
AUGUST
15
Birthday of The Princess Royal
SEPTEMBER
15
Birthday of HRH The Prince Harry
NOVEMBER
11
Remembrance Day (second Sunday)
14
Birthday of The Prince of Wales
20
Her Majesty’s Wedding Day
A leg up...
Helping house buyers onto the property ladder
10
Merry Christmas everyone
Christmas is a special time for all of us, a time to
This year has proven to be a challenge for people
get together with family and friends, and reflect on
of Barnsley and across the country, with the
the year that is about to pass and the New Year
increase in daily bills and rising unemployment.
ahead. Since proudly becoming Mayor in May,
Unfortunately, there is no getting away from the fact
along with my consort and husband Cllr Martin
that these challenges will continue in the New Year
Dyson, I have been overwhelmed by the warmth,
and beyond. However, I am also confident that the
generosity and friendship extended to us by the
year ahead will also bring new opportunities for the
people of Barnsley.
borough and a better
future for everyone.
“Everyone Counts” is not only the theme for my
mayoral year, but something I strongly believe in. It
Wishing you all a
has been my privilege to go out across the borough
joyous Christmas,
and meet so many people, from all sections of the
health and happiness in
community. I hope to meet even more during 2012.
the New Year.
I have also been busy supporting fund-raising
Cllr Karen Dyson
activities for three good causes – and my three
Mayor of Barnsley
charities - the Barnsley branches of Arthritis Care,
Multiple Sclerosis Society and Hearing Dogs for the
Deaf.
First-time buyers in Barnsley are
being offered a route to home
ownership at the lowest possible
cost.
Shrinkage of the mortgage market in
recent years has seen the number of
loans approved for first-time buyers
decrease sharply as lenders require
larger deposits.
As a result, first-time buyers have
found it increasingly difficult to get a
foot on the housing ladder, but now
much-needed help is at hand
through the government’s new
FirstBuy scheme.
FirstBuy offers first-time buyers of
newly built homes an equity loan of
up to 20 per cent of the property
price, funded jointly by the
government's Homes and
Communities Agency and the house
building company.
This equity loan reduces the deposit
required from the buyer to as low as
4 per cent, making home-ownership
easier.
Nationally, £180 million has been
allocated to the scheme, and more
than 100 house-builders are taking
part. Increasing the amount of
affordable housing in Barnsley is
also a priority for the council, as it
will boost regeneration and
economic growth in the borough, as
well as meeting housing needs.
Nearly 400 homes in 17 housing
developments in Barnsley are
eligible for purchase by first time
buyers through FirstBuy.
These include Bretton Park in Monk
Bretton (Barratt Homes), Saunderson
Gardens in Penistone (Barratt
Homes), Herons Reach at Wombwell
(Bellway), The Ridge at Jump
(Persimmon), Time at Longcar Lane
(Strata) and Little Wellthorne at
Ingbirchworth (Bovis Homes).
Prospective first-time buyers should
register their interest in purchasing a
new home through FirstBuy by
contacting Plumlife, the not-for-profit
company administering the scheme.
Visit www.plumlife.co.uk or call
0161 446 5050.
11

£22.5 million saved
£24 million
It's just over 12 months ago that open door
first highlighted how, due to the significant
reduction in government funding to local
authorities, the council would need to reduce
its spending over the four years from 2011 to
2015 by some £46.5 million.
still to find
During the same time period we've also urged
readers to tell us their 'ideas to save', and
once again we thank those who sent their
ideas in.
Those ideas, linked to significant changes in
structures and changes and reductions in
some services, along with some 432 posts
(including vacancies, early retirements) lost
across the council, contributed to us making
savings and efficiencies of £22.5 million in the
first year.
Before we looked at any changes in
services and how we deliver them,
we looked at how we manage
our services. This involved
some considerable
restructuring and the
deletion of a number of
senior posts. At the same
time we also looked closely
at our administration
arrangements across
the council which in itself
delivered both change and
savings amounting to £6.5
million. In addition, following
discussion with, and the agreement
of, employees we also looked at terms
and conditions and this resulted in future
savings of £2.7 million.
SERVICE
CUTS
Even with those savings and changes,
however, we still had no alternative but
to look at services. As a result, by
Directorate, that's seeing some £4.6
million come from Children, Young
People and Families (with a further £2
million loss from the reduction in grants),
£5.6 million from Adult Social Services
and £3.1 million from Development,
Environment and Culture.
As mentioned it is simply not possible to
reduce the council’s budget by this
amount, and so fast, without affecting
some frontline services. Examples of
some of the difficult savings we have
had to make include:
A reduction in the contribution to
neighbourhood policing by reducing
the number of community safety
wardens and the amount the council
contributes to South Yorkshire Police.
• Reviewing the way we meet adults’
individual social care needs,
including an increase in charges.
• Introduction of charges for the
'Passport to leisure' scheme.
• Reduction in non staffingresources to
give priority to children's centres and
front line services.
• Reduction in youth projects and
activities in order to retain youth
centres and on-street youth workers.
We have also been able to make
savings which don’t directly affect
service users, including:
• Activity to increase income
generation within waste
management.
• Reduced frequency of cleaning in
non public buildings.
• Transfer of cleaning, catering and
courier services to the council’s
property partner, NPS Barnsley.
Despite the above activity, the council is
still faced with the challenge of a further
£8 million (approx) of savings to be
identified each year through to 2015 -
making some £24 million in total over
the next three years. Although the annual
saving over the next three years is lower
than in the first year, it is recognised that
the cuts will be harder to find and result
in even greater effects on services.
Work is therefore already underway to
consider savings proposals for the next
financial year (2012- 2013). It has to be
stressed that at this stage these proposals
are just that - proposals. All are being
discussed and considered by councillors
in the run up to a Full Council meeting in
January 2012, when the final decisions
will be made and those proposals will
become reality. However, the savings still
need to be found and so any of the
current proposals that are not agreed
will need to be replaced by something
else.
As mentioned
earlier, since
we began this
programme of
service cuts and
efficiencies we
have encouraged service user comment
and that is still the case - in fact your
thoughts and views are becoming more
critical by the year.
As open door went to print, consultation
is either taking place, or being planned,
with service users and special interest
groups. Generally, once again, we
would encourage you to continue to tell
us what you think. You can do this by:
emailing Bob Williams Head of
Corporate Communications at
bobwilliams@barnsley.gov.uk,writing to
Bob at Gateway Plaza, Level 9, Barnsley
S70 9GG or via
http://www.Facebook/BarnsleyCouncil.
12
13

History in the
making
A day in the life of an archivist
14
Barnsley Archives and Local Studies is housed on the top floor of the Central Library
on Shambles Street and its purpose is to collect items of local historical interest and
make them available to members of the public for research.
The Archives team collects items from all
over the borough in a variety of different
formats - paper documents, photographs,
sound and video clips. They come from a
number of sources as the team has strong
links with parish councils, businesses,
churches, local groups and societies.
As part of the Experience Barnsley project,
hundreds of people have added collections
with their own wonderful donations.
The items are stabilised - which involves
cleaning, preserving and conservation
work - and then made available to the
public in the search room.
A large percentage of people use archives
for family history research but also to
find out about their village, house,
school, or organisation. There have been
many family history success stories, with
ancestors discovered as being anything
from royalty to highwaymen.
It's also a valuable resource for students
and school pupils too - in fact, anyone
who wants to find out about Barnsley,
past or present.
The extent of the collections is astounding,
with the earliest document being a title
deed from 1180, relating to a plot of
land owned by a Penistone family.
Another gem is a 1392 document
written in medieval Latin, complete with
a seal from Richard II, revealing a
fascinating insight of Monk Bretton Priory
and the power and wealth of the
monastery at the time.
Other items include Barnsley
Constabulary papers dating back to the
1800s which contain early criminal
registers and portraits; hospital records;
and motor vehicle licensing ledgers from
1913 to 1977.
These licensing records show how cars
went from being the privilege of the
gentry in 1913 when there were only
about 30 cars registered per year in the
borough, to an essential part of life, with
thousands being registered each year by
the 1970s. One ledger includes the
iconic THE1 and THE 2 which are
registered to "Barnsley Corporation".
Many items give glimpses into the
personal lives of Barnsley people over
the centuries, from letters of the heart
and seaside postcards to powerful
correspondence from the trenches.
The latest big donation is an official
Barnsley Football Club Collectionaround
20 boxes of programmes,
photographs and other memorabilia.
Parts of the new museum will be devoted
to the club.
On the day Open Door visited, the
department was a hive of activity,
including the weekly meeting of the
Archives Project Group.
The group started as a local history class
who were inspired to work on the archives
collections for future generations to enjoy.
Monica Galvin is updating a database
detailing court sessions from the 1800s.
A huge leather-bound book is filled with
beautiful copperplate writing, detailing
the scandalous misdemeanours of
Barnsley's residents who strayed onto the
wrong side of the law.
Other members of the group are busy
with online research, deciphering text
from old documents and helping visitors
with work.
Gerald Alliott, a passionate Barnsley
historian, said: "We are proud to have
the opportunity to do this for Barnsley
and its history."
He can't wait to see the new dedicated
Archives Centre in Barnsley Museum.
Almost 13,000 boxes worth of historical
treasures, a new film and sound archive
and lots of activities and events will be
available.
“Another gem is a 1392 document written in
medieval Latin, complete with a seal from Richard
II, revealing a fascinating insight of Monk Bretton
Priory and the power and wealth
of the monastery at the time”
If you want to uncover Barnsley's varied
history, the Archives department is open
Monday to Saturday. Opening times
vary - please call (01226) 773950.
“The group started as a local history
class who were inspired to work on the
archives collections for future generations to enjoy”
Experience Barnsley, the creation of the new Barnsley
Museum & Archives Centre, is supported by the Heritage
Lottery Fund.
Barnsley Council has secured a £2.5m investment from the
European Regional Development Fund for its Barnsley
Cultural Infrastructure programme, which supports
Experience Barnsley. The European Regional Development
Fund in Yorkshire and The Humber is managed by the
Department for Communities and Local Government to
support the region’s economic development.
Project Part-Financed
by the European Union
European Regional
Development Fund
15

We are
the champions
Local people spread the ‘eco’
word in the Dearne Valley
Residents with an interest in shaping the
future of their community are getting
involved in an ambitious project aimed
at changing the way people think about
the Dearne Valley.
The Dearne Valley Eco Vision has
gathered a 12-strong team of community
champions – local people enthusiastic
about their area and with a passionate
interest in environmental issues.
Community champions give as much or
as little time as they can and receive
support from Eco Vision officers to help
them spread the word in their
neighbourhoods. Regular briefing
meetings cover topics such as recycling
waste, public transport information,
home energy efficiency and the natural
environment of the Dearne Valley.
In Thurnscoe, residents Anne Lee and
Mick Bennett have accepted the
challenge of passing on to friends and
neighbours environmental messages
about how to live a more sustainable
lifestyle.
"We've got to recycle more," says Anne.
"There's a very good recycling centre in
Thurnscoe which takes everything from
wood and cardboard to garden waste
and cooking oil. We've had problems
with fly-tipping around this area,
particularly of car tyres, so anything that
discourages selfish people from spoiling
the environment has my backing."
Mick has a long-standing interest in the
environment and history of his
community. He was on the steering
committee that helped establish the
village's Phoenix Park amenity and, with
Anne, is a member of Thurnscoe's local
history group.
He wants to see the creation of new
industries in the Dearne which would
exploit the developing sector of
renewable energy products, such as
solar panels and wind turbines. "For the
sake of job creation and our local
economies we need to make sure this
country is a key player alongside major
European manufacturers in Holland and
Germany," he says.
The Eco Vision is a long-term project
which aims to create a low carbon
community in the Dearne and its
principal communities of Thurnscoe,
Goldthorpe and Bolton-upon-Dearne.
The ambition is to make this former coal
mining area a showcase for low carbon
living and green technology. This will
mean more energy efficient homes,
better transport links, equipping people
for new jobs created in the Dearne
based around environmental
technologies.
People interested in becoming a
community champions for the Dearne
Valley should contact Joanne Wehrle on
0114 263 5681 or Alex Benson on
01226 740077, email
dearnevalley@sheffieldcityregion.org.uk
Further information can be found at
www.sheffieldcityregion.org.uk/dearnevalley-eco-vision
If you were told that hundreds, possibly
thousands, of people in Barnsley are
willingly paying more council tax than
they have to would you believe it?
Unfortunately, the truth of the matter is
that they are and pensioners are among
the worst affected.
The reason for this is that many people
are failing to claim legitimate rebates, in
the form of council tax benefit, to reduce
the amount that they have to pay. The
Department of Works and Pensions says
that nationally, between 36 and 44
percent of pensioners are failing to claim
council tax benefit. For a Band A house
in Barnsley this can be worth up to
£17.86 per week and a band D house
£26.79 per week.
Paying too much
council tax?
Anyone, not only pensioners, wanting to
know whether or not they qualify for
council tax benefit is urged to contact the
council so that appropriate advice can
be given. The general helpline number
for council tax benefit is 01226
774743. If you would prefer to see
someone face-to-face in your own home,
call 01226 774842.
Peter Francis, head of the council’s
Welfare Rights Service says: "Council
tax benefit isn’t the only benefit
pensioners are failing to claim. They are
also failing to claim pension credit to top
up their retirement pensions. The basic
pension of £102.15 per week for a
single pensioner can be topped up to
£137.35 per week for a single person
and £209.70 for a couple. The rules
concerning who can get what can seem
very complicated but the advisors on our
advice line can sort all this out for you.
Any pensioner not currently claiming
Pension Credit can phone our advice
line on 772360 and within a few
minutes will be told if they qualify and
how to claim. Advisors can also check if
other benefits may be suitable.”
He added: "As a service, Welfare Rights
cannot guarantee that you will get extra
benefits when you phone us, but will
make sure that you are not missing out
on what you are entitled to."
Your points
of view
We always welcome views and
comments on open door. That’s why in
the last edition we invited readers to
take part in our open door online
survey.
Whilst the number of responses were
disappointingly low they still gave us a
valuable insight into the opinions of
some of our readers. The good news is
that most felt open door kept them
informed about the work of the
council. However, the majority wanted
to hear even more about the cuts to
council services – with this in mind we
hope you find the article on pages 12
and 13 of interest.
A few readers commented on the cost
of producing open door and if it is
justifiable in light of the well publicised
cuts. We strongly feel that open door is
an important way of keeping people
across the borough informed about
council services, how they can access
them and, of course, those all
important cuts. However, we have
reduced the number of issues from six
to four a year, saving over £40K and
this has been part of an overall £600K
reduction in promotional spend across
the council.
Incidentally, if you didn’t have chance
to complete the survey and would like
to share your views and comments on
open door please send them in – see
details on page 3 - your views are
always welcome.
ARTHRITIS CARE
BARNSLEY
Arthritis Care Barnsley are a support group open for all who live with arthritis.
We meet on the 1st Wednesday of every month, 6.30pm-8.30pm at Silverdale
Community Centre, Silverdale Drive, Monk Bretton. Contact Jude Oxley
07912508100 or email judeelisabeth@talktalk.net
16
17

Right to Control
Special reasons
to foster
Since March, disabled people in Barnsley have benefited from the new
Right to Control Legislation that is being tested in the borough.
Shafton couple Tina and Chris are a
good example. They are experienced
foster carers, and often look after
children with autism - a condition
characterised by impaired social
interaction and communication skills.
Tina worked in special schools for 10
years, with seven years in a unit for
autistic children. She uses this
experience in her foster care role. Chris
worked as a gas engineer before
rethinking his life plans two years ago.
Tina and Chris decided to foster full-time
professionally through the fee-paying
Care Plus scheme.
Drawing on her background, one of the
tools Tina uses with autistic children is
the Picture Exchange Communication
System. Pictures are attached to a piece
of card which is shown to the child. The
card represents their schedule for the
day, and each picture shows an activity
in the order it will happen; for example
wash, breakfast, shopping, lunch, car
journey, playground, tea-time.
“Some children with autism can become
anxious and this tool helps alleviate that
by communicating the order in which
things will happen,” explains Tina. “It
also helps to reinforce positive behaviour
as the child learns if they do this action,
then that event will happen.”
Chris adds: “We also use simple
techniques like praising positive
behaviour and not acknowledging
negative. You can work with the child’s
family to enable them to use these
techniques when the child returns home.
Barnsley Council currently has more than 100 foster carers who
look after 130 children. Increasingly seen as childcare
professionals, foster carers include people whose skills and
experience make them specially suited to caring for children
with additional needs, such as autism and learning disabilities.
“The aim is to help the child improve life
skills to become more self-reliant and
socially integrated.”
As Tina and Chris suggest, foster care
gives young people a pathway for
personal development as well as giving
parents under pressure a break.
Tina says: “We’d recommend fostering
to anyone, especially people who have
worked in schools or childcare settings.
Payment via Care Plus means fostering
professionally can be an alternative form
of full-time employment.
For more information about fostering
in Barnsley, including Care Plus fees
and fostering allowances, please visit
www.barnsley.gov.uk/fostering-inbarnsley,
call 01226 775876 or
email fostering@barnsley.gov.uk
The Right to Control is a partnership
between the council and Job Centre
Plus, which aims to provide disabled
people with more flexibility by
combining the support they receive
across a range of funding sources.
This makes it easier for people to
access different services.
It's a pilot that aims to give both
disabled people and people with
long-term health or mental conditions
more choice and control. It includes
social care, housing related support
and employment support services. It
recognises that the individual is the
expert in their own life and know
what support they need to meet their
needs and achieve their ambitions.
5 Easy Steps to your Right to Control
STEP 1
Contact the funding
stream you would
like to apply for.
They will assess
your needs.
STEP 2
They will tell you
about Right to Control
and the options it
gives you. They will
also ask you some
questions about the
other funding streams.
Who can get Right to Control?
You may be able to benefit from Right to
Control if you’re 18 or over, live in Barnsley
and are disabled or have a long-term health or
mental health condition.
Right to Control covers many different services.
• Access to Work, could help you travel to and
from work and support you at work.
• Adult Social Care, could support you if you
have difficulty managing everyday tasks.
• Disabled Facilities Grants, could help you
adapt your home to meet your needs.
• Supporting People, could help you stay in
your own home.
• Independent Living Fund, is no longer open
to new applicants, but provides support
people with personal care or domestic tasks.
• Work Choice, could help you get or keep a job.
You may find that you’re entitled to more
support than you originally thought.
STEP 3
Adult Social Services
Supporting People
Disabled Facilities Grant
Work Choice
Access to Work
Independent Living Fund
STEP 4
Where possible
you’ll have one
point of contact
STEP 5
How will this work for me if
I have one of these services?
You’ll have the choice of whether to
• Continue to use support services
in the way that you’re doing now
• Ask either adult social care
services or Job Centre Plus to
arrange a different support service
for you
• Where possible, buy your own
support using money from your
Individual Budget
• Have a mix of these.
For more information contact Dial
Barnsley on 01226 240273, email
info@dialbarnsley.org.uk or visit
www.dialbarnsley.org.uk/
If you’re entitled to
some support they’ll
offer you:
• Help with the
support plan
• Support or
equipment you need
FINISH
If you’re not entitled to
support they’ll explain
the reasons for this,
and help you find
other services which
you may benefit from.
18
Thanks Tina and Chris for their contribution to this story
19

20
What’s on
To book your place or for more information contact the individual venues.
A Christmas Carol
Piaf: The Songs
The Civic
Box Office and enquiries: 01226 327000
enquiries@barnsleycivic.co.uk
www.barnsleycivic.co.uk
Daily until Friday, 20 January. Lab Craft.
Work by 26 experimental names in craft and
design, including textiles, ceramics, furniture,
jewellery, glass, lighting. Free
admission.
Saturday, 10 December, 8pm. Steve
Hall’s Very Still Life. A show about
achieving things. If he can be bothered
to write it. Adults £12, no concessions.
Thursday, 15 December , 7.30pm. A
Beryl full of Life, Love and Laughter.
Chaos, comedy and clowning in a
celebration of the late, great British
comedy actress. Adults £12, concessions
£10.
Friday, 16 December, 8pm. Mark Steel's in
Town. Writer and stand-up comedian. Mark’s
material sheds light on the quirkiness and
interesting aspects of every place he visits
Adults £15, concessions £14.
Saturday, 17 December,
8pm. Piaf: The Songs.
Edith Piaf remains
France’s most popular
singer. Enjoy a powerful
celebration of her music.
Adults £15, concessions
£13.
Wednesday, 28
December, 7.30pm. A
Christmas Carol. Told from the perspective of
Scrooge's partner Jacob Marley, this
adaptation promises chills and excitement for
all ages. Adults £14, concessions £12.
Thursday, 29 December, 2.30pm. The Very
Snowy Christmas. Live music, puppets and a
stunning snowy set: this festive tale will
warm even the coldest heart. Adults
£10, children £6, concessions £8.
Thursday, 12 January, 7.30pm. The
Tempest by William Shakespeare.
Adults £12, concessions: £10.
Sunday, 22 (2.30pm) and Monday, 23
January (10.30am and 1.30pm). Red Riding
Hood. Exquisite visuals, pantomime-style
silliness and spooky moments. Adults £7,
concessions £6, children £5.
Recommended for 4+.
Thursday, 2 February, 7.30pm.
Simon Callow: Charles Dickens
and the Great Theatre of the
World. One of the UK's finest and
best-loved actors. Adults £16,
concessions £14.
Simon Callow Thursday, 2 February to 18
March. The Royal Photographic
Society 154th International Print
Exhibition. Showcasing a wide range of
genres and styles of photography, from cutting
edge to traditional work.
Thursday, 2 February to 18 March. Julie
Newton - Persona Revisited. Photographic
work by Barnsley artist Julie Newton,
concentrating on the association between
home and identity, and the role of family life.
Friday, 10 February, 7.30pm. Macbeth. A
bold and exciting performance of
Shakespeare’s most bloody and fear-filled
tragedy. Adults £12, concessions £10.
Saturday, 11 February, 8pm. Steve Hughes.
Inimitable Australian comic and ex-heavy
metal drummer. Adults £13, no concessions.
Sunday, 12 February, 1pm and 3pm. The
Owl and the Pussycat. Edward Lear’s classic
poem. Follow Owl and Pussycat as they set
out on the high seas. Adults £7,
concessions £6, children £5.
Saturday, 18 February,
8pm. An Evening with
Andy Kershaw. Roadie,
Whistle Test presenter,
world music pioneer,
and journalist. Adults
£15, no concessions.
Mark Steel
Red Riding Hood
Barnsley Metrodome
www.bpl.org.uk
Friday, 16 December, 7.30pm. Christmas
Party Night – Take That meets Westlife.
Live tribute show, three-course meal, disco
and bar. Tickets £24.95. Box office 0191
419 1818.
Friday, 16 December, 7.30pm. Christmas
Dinner Dance. Three-course festive meal and
live band. Tickets £26. Box office 0845 838
4519.
Saturday, 17 December, 7.30pm. Christmas
Party Night – 80’S Flashback Tribute.
Boogie the night away! Tickets £24.95. Box
office 0191 419 1818.
Saturday, 31 December, 7.30pm. New Year's
Eve Party. Live bands Adrenaline Brother and
2Real, DJ and disco. Tickets £13. Box office
0845 838 4519.
Saturday, 28 January. American Wrestling.
Tickets £8. Box office 01226 730060.
Sunday, 12 February. Wedding show.
Friday, 10 February, 7.30pm. An Evening
with Ricky Hatton. Tickets £25, VIP £50.
Box office 07912 983671 or 01226
730060.
Elsecar Heritage Centre
01226 740203
elsecarheritagecentre@barnsley.gov.uk
Tuesday, 13 December, 7pm to 9pm. Toy
train and doll fair. Adults £1.25,
concessions £1, children 50p. Information
01226 744425.
Tuesday, 27 December. Antiques and
collectables fair. £1.50, concessions £1.
Information 01226 744425.
Barnsley Town Centre
Wednesday, 14 December. Christmas latenight
shopping (until 7.30pm), with
specialist gift market at Cheapside and
Queen Street.
Worsbrough Mill Museum
Sunday 18 December - 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm.
2011 Christmas Carol Concert. Free
Admission - Mulled wine - Tea/Coffee - Mince
Pies - Raffle and Craft Stalls. Music
performed by Worsbrough Brass Band.
Cannon Hall Museum
01226 790270
cannonhall@barnsley.gov.uk
Friday, 16 December, 12noon. Christmas
lunch.
Friday, 16 December. Christmas supper.
Sunday, 18 December, 11am to 4pm. Father
Christmas.
Sunday, 18 December, 11am to 4pm. Craft
fair. Free admission.
Wentworth Castle Gardens
and Stainborough Park
01226 776040
www.wentworthcastle.org
Saturday, 17 to 24 December, 10am to 4pm.
Christmas at the Castle. Tickets £5.75
include a gift from Santa. Booking advised.
Saturday, 17 to
24 December,
1pm to 1.30pm.
Deer Feeding.
Normal garden
admission
applies, no
additional
charge.
Wednesday,
14 and 21 December.
Wentworth Castle House Tour. Tickets £2.75
plus normal garden admission. Booking
advised.
Sunday, 18 December, 4.30pm to 7pm.
Christmas Family Disco. £5 per person, all
over 3 years of age to pay (includes a gift
from Santa). Booking advised.
Tuesday, 20 December. Traditional
Christmas Lunch at the Castle. Two-course
lunch. Ticket £9.95 each. Booking advised.
All December. Café festive specials.
Available throughout the month.
Deer Feeding
Cooper Gallery 01226 242905
coopergallery@barnsley.gov.uk
Until Saturday, 21 January, Monday to Friday,
10am to 4pm, Saturday, 10am to 3pm.
Creation, Beauty, Hope. Exhibition looking at
how faith and beauty have inspired artists.
Free admission.
Until Saturday, 24 December (opening hours
as above). Christmas at the Cooper. Popular
selling exhibition, showcasing local and
national crafts with prices to suit all budgets.
Free admission.
Saturday, 14 January to 17 March (opening
hours as above). Creative Connections. Local
art societies showcase work on the theme of
sport and movement for the Olympic year.
Free admission.
Experience Barnsley
Barnsley is Making History in 2012, across
the borough from Thurlstone to Thurnscoe.
Family events, talks, shows, quiz nights,
fantastic school projects, sneak previews of
treasures from the new museum and much
more. Look out for us in your area from
January to May.
To find out more about Experience Barnsley
events see www.barnsleylive.co.uk follow us
on facebook
www.facebook.com/experiencebarnsley2012
or twitter/peoplesmuseum or call 01226
773950.
Lamproom Theatre
01226 200075
enquiries@barnsleylamproom.com
Until Friday, 30 December. Cinderella.
Traditional pantomime suitable for all the
family. Adults £14, concessions £13, family
ticket (2 adults, 2 children) £44, groups of 10
or more £11 each.
Friday, 13 and Saturday, 14 January. The
Maria Penrose School of Dance. Annual
dance show. Contact box office for ticket
prices and performance times.
Friday, 27 and Saturday, 28 January,
8.30pm. Toby Foster and Friends. Adult-only
stand-up comedy. All tickets £11.
Tuesday, 31 January to Friday, 3 February,
7.30 pm. Girls Night Too. Wakefield Little
Theatre. Toe-tapping songs and dancing in the
aisles. Adults £11, concessions £10.
Sunday, 5 February, 2pm and 6pm. The
Style Dance Academy. Annual dance show.
All tickets £10.
Friday 10 February Alvin Stardust. Backed
by a five piece band, the glam rock star of
the 60’s and 70’s, will be performing two
sets. All tickets £15.
Saturday, 11 February, 7.30pm. The Merry
Wives of Windsor. Oddsocks Theatre
Company. Laughter, surprises and fun for all
the family. Adults £16, concessions £14.
Sunday 12 February. An Evening with Ian
Lavendar. Star of 'Dad's Army', 'Pike' visits
The Lamproom to recall his life in theatre and
television. All tickets £12.
Wednesday, 15 February, 7.30pm. An
Evening with John Reilly. The voice of Boy
on a Dolphin and Acoustic Angels. All tickets
£11.
Saturday, 18 February, 8pm. The Velvet
Burlesque Cabaret Show. Contact box office
for ticket prices.
Sunday, 19 February, 7.30pm.
Sunday Bandstand at the
Lamproom. Join the Barnsley
Metropolitan Band to help
raise funds for the
theatre. All tickets £10.
John Reilly
21

Councillor Contacts - December 2011. Please refer to the latest open door edition for up to date contact details.
Central Ward
cllrdougbirkinshaw@barnsley.gov.uk Tel: 01226 243716
cllrmargaretbruff@barnsley.gov.uk Tel: 01226 388308
cllrmartindyson@barnsley.gov.uk Tel: 01226 287056
Cudworth Ward
cllrstephenhoughton@barnsley.gov.uk Tel: 01226 717348
cllrjoehayward@barnsley.gov.uk Tel: 01226 712443
cllrcharleswraith@barnsley.gov.uk Tel: 01226 712135
Darfield Ward
cllrronfisher@barnsley.gov.uk Tel: 01226 758266
cllrpaulinemarkham@barnsley.gov.uk Tel: 01226 757823
cllrbriankey@barnsley.gov.uk Tel: 01226 753741
Darton East Ward
cllrjohnparkinson@barnsley.gov.uk Tel: 01226 384496
cllrharryspence@barnsley.gov.uk Tel: 01226 381289
cllrroymiller@barnsley.gov.uk Tel: 01226 385064
Darton West Ward
cllralicecave@barnsley.gov.uk Tel: 01226 297021
cllrsharonhoward@barnsley.gov.uk Tel: 01226 743906
cllrlindaburgess@barnsley.gov.uk Tel: 07968 696321
Dearne North Ward
cllrjenniferworton@barnsley.gov.uk Tel: 01709 893036
cllrjanicehancock@barnsley.gov.uk Tel: 01709 889936
cllralangardiner@barnsley.gov.uk Tel: 01709 898266
Dearne South Ward
cllrsharronbrook@barnsley.gov.uk Tel: 01709 894315
cllrmaynoble@barnsley.gov.uk Tel: 01709 880577
cllrralphsixsmith@barnsley.gov.uk Tel: 01709 897949
22
Dodworth Ward
cllrphillipbirkinshaw@barnsley.gov.uk Tel: 01226 232404
cllrjackcarr@barnsley.gov.uk Tel: 01226 294235
cllrbrianperrin@barnsley.gov.uk Tel: 01226 246127
Hoyland Milton Ward
cllrmichaelbrankin@barnsley.gov.uk Tel: 01226 743727
cllrrobinfranklin@barnsley.gov.uk Tel: 07791 753550
cllrtimshepherd@barnsley.gov.uk Tel: 01226 740035
Kingstone Ward
cllrmalcolmprice@barnsley.gov.uk Tel: 01226 286892
cllrkathmitchell@barnsley.gov.uk Tel: 01226 291456
cllrtomsheard@barnsley.gov.uk Tel: 01226 283271
Monk Bretton Ward
cllrgracebrown@barnsley.gov.uk Tel: 01226 286923
cllrkenrichardson@barnsley.gov.uk Tel: 01226 206006
cllrmargaretsheard@barnsley.gov.uk Tel: 01226 283271
North East Ward
cllrdannygillespie@barnsley.gov.uk Tel: 01226 714126
cllrdorothyhigginbottom@barnsley.gov.uk Tel: 01226 758410
cllrdavenorth@barnsley.gov.uk Tel: 01226 712703
Old Town Ward
cllrbillgaunt@barnsley.gov.uk Tel: 01226 214003
cllrpennylofts@barnsley.gov.uk Tel: 07854 024029
cllranitacherryholme@barnsley.gov.uk Tel: 01226 770520
Penistone East Ward
cllrjohnwilson@barnsley.gov.uk Tel: 01226 243497
cllrrobertbarnard@barnsley.gov.uk Tel: 01226 382861
cllrpaulhand-davis@barnsley.gov.uk Tel: 01226 767968
WANT TO MEET YOUR COUNCILLOR?
Barnsley’s councillors hold regular advice sessions or ‘surgeries’. These sessions give you the chance to raise any problems or discuss
issues with them. If you want to find out when your councillor is next holding an advice session - ring: 01226 787890
Or go online at www.barnsley.gov.uk
You can now understand
what can be achieved to
tackle your neighbourhood
priorities and how quickly by
viewing your area delivery
plan.
Understanding what matters to you is
important to us. That’s why we’ve taken
time to find out your priorities by
listening to your views at community
events, what you’ve told your local
councillors and through surveys such as
the recent Think Local Act Local - where
over 3,000 Barnsley’s residents took
part. All this information has been used
to develop an area delivery plan - one
for each of the five Area Partnerships -
which outlines an agreed programme
of work for your area.
Ensuring the plan is delivered is the job of
your Area Partnership, which brings together
council services, local councillors and
partner agencies – such as police, health
and fire – to ensure we can minimise the
impact of government cuts, whilst continuing
to best meet the needs of your area.
The plans are also an opportunity for you
to find out what’s happening in your area
and see how you can get involved to make
a difference in your community.
Your Area Partnership will monitor and
review the plans every four months at
the Area Delivery Panels.
Copies of the plan and details of the
next panel meetings are available
on the council’s website
www.barnsley.gov.uk
or call 01226 787737.
Penistone West Ward
cllrstevewebber@barnsley.gov.uk Tel: 07890 313043
cllrandrewmillner@barnsley.gov.uk Tel: 01226 763772
cllrannrusby@barnsley.gov.uk Tel: 01226 763206
Rockingham Ward
cllrmarybrankin@barnsley.gov.uk Tel: 01226 743727
cllrjamesandrews@barnsley.gov.uk Tel: 01226 743906
cllrchrislamb@barnsley.gov.uk Tel: 01226 351723
Royston Ward
cllrgrahamkyte@barnsley.gov.uk Tel: 01226 726453
cllrtimcheetham@barnsley.gov.uk Tel: 01226 723159
cllrtraceycheetham@barnsley.gov.uk Tel: 07714 564866
St. Helens Ward
cllrlenpicken@barnsley.gov.uk Tel: 01226 200001
cllrdavidleech@barnsley.gov.uk Tel: 01226 245143
cllrjennyplatts@barnsley.gov.uk Tel: 01226 294690
Stairfoot Ward
cllrfredclowery@barnsley.gov.uk Tel: 01226 217150
cllrbrianmathers@barnsley.gov.uk Tel: 01226 200493
cllrkarendyson@barnsley.gov.uk Tel: 01226 287056
Wombwell Ward
cllrmargaretmorgan@barnsley.gov.uk Tel: 01226 753515
cllrdenisewilde@barnsley.gov.uk Tel: 01226 754259
cllrrichardwraith@barnsley.gov.uk Tel: 01226 755570
Worsbrough Ward
cllrgillcarr@barnsley.gov.uk Tel: 01226 294235
cllrjohnclarke@barnsley.gov.uk Tel: 01226 247828
cllrbettybarlow@barnsley.gov.uk Tel: 01226 297143
Or visit any Barnsley Connects office
Your priorities, your plan
You can also keep up-to-date by emailing:
• central@barnsley.gov.uk
• north@barnsley.gov.uk
• northeast@barnsley.gov.uk
• southeast@barnsley.gov.uk
• southwest@barnsley.gov.uk
A
A
B
C
Listed below are the main council numbers you are likely to need. If you can’t find the number you need, please call our main switchboard
Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm. Our staff will be happy to help.
Abandoned Vehicles. . . . . . (01226) 772468
Adaptations-Private Housing (01226) 772478
Adoptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . (01226) 775876
Adult Learning . . . . . . . . . (01226) 775270
Allotment Lettings . . . . . . . (01226) 774351
Barnsley Music Service - (PADS)(01226) 291525
Benefits
Fraud 24Hr hotline . . . . . . 0800 138 2940
(report a cheat)
Housing benefit Helpline
Private and Council . . . . . (01226) 774743
Building Control -
General enquiries . . . . . . (01226) 772678
Inspection (24 hrs) . . . . . (01226) 772699
Business Units for Rent
Athersley & Mount Osbourne. (01226) 732911
Kendray . . . . . . . . . . . . . (01226) 249894
Thurnscoe . . . . . . . . . . . . (01709) 881951
Bus Passes -
School pupils . . . . . . . . . . (01226) 773584
Disabled persons . . . . . . . (01226) 775656
Business Rates
(non domestic enquiries) . (01226) 774765
Car Parking . . . . . . . . . . . (01226) 773555
Cemeteries & Crematorium (01226) 206053
Central Call Unit - ‘in touch’
Community Alarm Service (01226) 775671
Cesspools, septic tanks. . . . (01226) 774118
Community Resources -
Athersley Roundhouse . . . (01226) 244528
Barnsley Youth Service . . (01226) 753406
Blackerhill Lifelong
Learning Centre . . . . . . (01226) 749543
Cudworth Centre . . . . . . . (01226) 717531
Dearne Enterprise Centre. (01226) 881181
Eldon Centre . . . . . . . . . . (01226) 775270
Grimethorpe Acorn Centre (01226) 712575
Worsbrough Common Centre (01226) 771099
Consumer Advice . . . . . . . . 0845 4040 506
Council Meetings
(including Cabinet) . . . . . (01226) 773420
Scrutiny Meetings . . . . . . (01226) 773066
Councillors . . . . . . . . . . . . (01226) 773055
Councillor Surgeries. . . . . . (01226) 787890
Council Tax Helpline . . . . . (01226) 774774
Country Parks -
Cannon Hall . . . . . . . . . . (01226) 790270
Carlton Marsh Nature Reserve(01226) 772646
Dearne Valley Park . . . . . (01226) 772646
Neverwood Country Park. (01226) 772646
Trans Pennine Trail (bsly) (01226) 772142
Trans Pennine Trail (outer)(01226) 772574
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Disabled People -
Bus Passes . . . . . . . . . . . (01226) 775656
Car badges (blue badges) (01226) 775656
Dog Fouling & Dog Warden(01226) 772468
Drains blocked
Public sewers - Yorkshire water 0845 124 2424
Flooded Roads (highways)(01226) 773555
Private (commercial service) . (01226) 774198
Dumping - illegal . . . . . . . (01226) 772468
Early Years & Childcare . . . (01226) 775977
Education - enquiries. . . . . (01226) 773500
Education premises
(out of hours) . . . . . . . . . (01709) 895517
Education Welfare Service . (01226) 773543
Election Office . . . . . . . . . (01226) 773070
Families Information Service0800 034 5340
flyposting . . . . . . . . . . . . . (01226) 775656
Food Hygiene/Health
and Safety . . . . . . . . . . . (01226) 772468
Footpaths (roadside) . . . . . (01226) 773555
Fostering . . . . . . . . . . . . . (01226) 775876
Golf Courses -
Barnsley Municipal . . . . . (01226) 380358
Wombwell . . . . . . . . . . . . (01226) 754433
Govenor Development
Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (01226) 772268
Graffiti . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (01226) 775656
Grants -
Further Education . . . . . . (01226) 773595
Higher Education. . . . . . . (01226) 773570
Renovation . . . . . . . . . . . (01226) 772478
Gritting/snow clearing. . . . (01226) 773555
Ground Maintenance
(grass cutting). . . . . . . . . (01226) 775656
Homecare Services . . . . . . (01226) 775858
Homelessness (daytime) . . (01226) 773870
(emergency/out of hours). 0844 984 1800
Housing – Berneslai Homes
General Enquiries . . . . . . (01226) 775555
Repairs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (01226) 787878
Job Vacancies (Council) . . . (01226) 772250
Land & Property enquiries
Except housing . . . . . . . . (01226) 774611
Leisure Centres
(operated by Barnsley Premier Leisure)
Dearneside . . . . . . . . . . . (01709) 880040
Dorothy Hyman, Cudworth. (01226) 710736
Hoyland . . . . . . . . . . . . . (01226) 744063
Metrodome . . . . . . . . . . . (01226) 730060
Royston. . . . . . . . . . . . . . (01226) 722991
Library - Central . . . . . . . . (01226) 773930
Licensing - taxis, raffles
Street collections . . . . . . . (01226) 772468
Litter – bins & street
Sweeping . . . . . . . . . . . . (01226) 775656
Longcar Professional
Development Centre . . . . (01226) 281961
MOT & Class VII test -
Station . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (01226) 774194
Moorland Plastics . . . . . . . (01226) 206886
Museum & Art Galleries
Cannon Hall Museum. . . . (01226) 790270
Worsbrough Mill Museum (01226) 774527
Cooper Gallery . . . . . . . . (01226) 242905
Noise/Pollution
Complaints . . . . . . . . . . . (01226) 772468
Neighbourhood Pride . . . . (01226) 775656
Parks, Open Spaces &
Playgrounds . . . . . . . . . . (01226) 774353
Pest Control . . . . . . . . . . . (01226) 772468
Planning -
General Enquiries . . . . . . (01226) 772000
Property & Procurement
- design & procurement. . (01226) 774300
Public Conveniences . . . . . (01226) 775656
Public Health . . . . . . . . . . (01226) 433747
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (01226) 773477
Public Rights of Way . . . . . (01226) 772142
Public Relations. . . . . . . . . (01226) 773442
Registrar of Births,
Deaths & Marriages. . . . . (01226) 773085
Road Repairs . . . . . . . . . . (01226) 773555
Road Sweeping . . . . . . . . . (01226) 773555
Safer Neighbourhood Teams -
(Golden Lines)
Central . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (01226) 736395
Cudworth . . . . . . . . . . . . (01226) 736592
Darton and Dodworth . . . (01226) 736395
Dearne . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (01709) 832138
Hoyland . . . . . . . . . . . . . (01226) 736457
Penistone, Stairfoot &
Worsbrough . . . . . . . . . . (01226) 736387
Royston. . . . . . . . . . . . . . (01226) 736361
Town Centre . . . . . . . . . . (01226) 736395
Schools - General Enquiries . (01226) 773500
Meals - free meals. . . . . . (01226) 773513
Places . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (01226) 773689
Transport. . . . . . . . . . . . . (01226) 773584
Smoky Diesel Hotline . . . . (01226) 772468
Social Services -
General Enquiries . . . . . . (01226) 775656
Emergencies/Out of hours. 0844 984 1800
South Yorkshire Mining
Advisory Service . . . . . . . (01226) 772689
Sports Pitches - Hire of . . . (01226) 774353
Street Lighting - 24 hr Service
Faults & Enquiries . . . . . . (01226) 774200
Substance Misuse . . . . . . . (01226) 787316
Sure Start Children’s Centres
All Saints - Darfield . . . . . (01226) 753366
Blacker Hill . . . . . . . . . . . (01226) 351210
Buddies - Burton Road. . . (01226) 320510
Buttercup - Cudworth. . . . (01226) 780105
Darton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (01226) 775525
Dearne - Bolton-on-Dearne(01709) 890303
Dodworth & Gilroyd . . . . (01226) 294584
Hoyland Common . . . . . . (01226) 352090
Hunni Bee - Stairfoot. . . . (01226) 287286
Jump Children’s & ICT Centre. (01226) 748805
Kings Oak- Ardsley . . . . . (01226) 273240
Lundwood . . . . . . . . . . . . (01226) 248564
Meadstead - Royston . . . . (01226) 722153
Milefield - Grimethorpe . . (01226) 715127
Penistone . . . . . . . . . . . . (01226) 761317
Rising Stars - Worsbrough (01226) 320513
Secret Garden - Athersley (01226) 296969
Sunnybank - Worsbrough (01226) 294604
The Embankment - Thurnscoe (01709) 899050
Wilthorpe . . . . . . . . . . . . (01226) 298642
Taxi Testing. . . . . . . . . . . . (01226) 774194
Tourist Information . . . . . . (01226) 787888
Trading Standards . . . . . . . (01226) 772468
Consumer Direct -
Quality, price & safety
Traffic Signals (static 24 hrs)(01226) 773555
Treework . . . . . . . . . . . . . (01226) 775656
Waste Disposal, Recycling,
collection & special collections. (01226) 772045
Commercial Waste . . . . . . (01226) 772050
Commercial Waste Finance . (01226) 774773
Household Recycling Centres. . (01226) 772045
Weighbridge, public. . . . . . (01226) 774138
Welfare Rights advice . . . . (01226) 772360
Youth Service . . . . . . . . . . (01226) 753406
December 2011. Please tear off and save for further use. Don’t forget to recycle open door when you have finished with it.
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The main council
switchboard number is
770770

A day to
remember
Barnsley has a range of unique venues for couples
looking for somewhere special for their wedding,
civil partnership or reception. Find out about the
choices available at Cannon Hall Museum, The
Cooper Gallery, Worsbrough Mill Country Park and
Building 21 at Elsecar, and how we can make your
day a day to remember. Call 01226 790270.
BARNSLEY
Metropolitan Borough Council