Article: Information on parish and town councils Article Body Parish and town councils are the most local democratically elected bodies within the English system of local government. In the Barnsley borough, there are 17 parish and town councils, with High Hoyland having a parish meeting. Parish and town councils represent our smaller communities in the more rural areas in the east and west of the borough. Each parish or town council varies in the facilities it provides, although most provide and maintain at least some recreational facilities. They are also closely involved in organising many local events in their areas. All have the power to raise money for these activities by way of a precept, which is an additional amount of council tax paid by people within the area of the parish or town. The boundaries of each parish or town area can be found on the map of parish and town council boundaries. Parish and town councils provide a focus for local activity in their communities. They encourage local people to make their views known, particularly on issues about maintaining the character of the local area. A key role of parish and town councils is to express those views to other public bodies, such as Barnsley Council, particularly on planning applications and other concerns about the environment or quality of life. Parish and town councils also provide an opportunity for members of the public become more involved in local affairs. Local people can get involved in the activities or campaigns they organise or seek election to their local parish or town council. Barnsley Council seeks to work closely with the parish and town councils so that it takes account of particular local concerns. The councils have agreed a Parish and Town Councils Charter for Barnsley, setting out how they want to work together in cooperation on issues of mutual concern to improve services for local people. Where available, details for each of the parish and town councils and the High Hoyland parish meeting are set out below, with more information available in some cases by following the links on this page. Please note that Barnsley Council is not responsible for the contents of parish or town council minutes or other documents on their pages and does not necessarily endorse the views expressed within them. If you would like more information on your local parish or town council, please get in touch with the relevant clerk to the council using the contact information given below. Where a Parish Council doesn't have its own website, links to webpages are set out on this page Parish or town council clerks wanting to up-date their council's information should contact the Council Governance Unit, Tel: 01226 773421, E-mail the Council Governance Unit Billingley Parish Council: There is currently a vacancy for the post of Clerk to Billingley Parish Council. In the meantime, please contact the Chair of the Council, Brian Moore, The Crofts, High Street, Billingley, Barnsley, S72 0HY, Telephone: (01709) 898686 Brierley Town Council: Mike Gibbs, Acting Clerk, The Acorn Centre, Grimethorpe S72 7BB Telephone: (01226) 714681; email Brierley Town Council More information is available on the Brierley Town Council website Cawthorne Parish Council: Mr. F. Johnston LL.B (Hons), 23 Hall Farm Grove, Hoylandswaine, Sheffield S36 7LJ Telephone: (01226) 765569, Email Cawthorne Parish Council More information is available on the Cawthorne Parish Council website. Download: Cawthorne Parish Council Annual Report 2009/10 Dunford Parish Council: Elizabeth Barnard, 3 Cliff Hill Court, Holmfirth, Hudderfield HD9 1JF Telephone 01484 680818, Email Dunford Parish Council Great Houghton Parish Council: Mr. B. Housley, 10 Baslow Crescent, Dodworth, Barnsley S75 3SG Telephone: (01226) 248486, Email Great Houghton Parish Council Gunthwaite and Ingbirchworth Parish Council: Mrs. J. Methley, 4 Fir Tree Estate, Thurgoland, Sheffield S35 7BG Telephone: (0114) 288 8485 High Hoyland Parish Meeting: Mrs. J. M. Roberts 3 Church Lane, High Hoyland, Barnsley S75 4BJ Telephone: (01226) 385030, Email High Hoyland Parish Meeting Hunshelf Parish Council: David B Horsfall MSc BSc, Oberwald, Forge Lane, Wortley Sheffield S35 7DN Telephone: (0114) 288 3684, Email Hunshelf Parish Council Langsett Parish Council: Jayne Venables, The Barn, Lower Belle Clive Farm, Hartcliff Road, Penistone S36 9FE, telephone: 01226 763594 Email Langsett Parish Council Little Houghton Parish Council: Mrs. J. James, 14 Wharncliffe Close, Hoyland, Barnsley S74 0HP Telephone: (01226) 745910, The parish council doesn't currently have an e-mail address More information is available on the Little Houghton Parish Council webpage Oxspring Parish Council: Mrs Stephanie Tolson, 43, Nether Royd View, Silkstone Common, Barnsley S75 4QQ Telephone: (01226) 792657, Email Oxspring Parish Council More information is available on the Oxspring Parish Council website. Penistone Town Council: Keith Coulton, Town Clerk, Penistone Town Council, St. John's Community Centre, Church St, Penistone, Sheffield S36 6AR Telephone: (01226) 370088 (General Office); (01226) 370857 (Clerk's Office) Email Penistone Town Council More information is available on the Penistone Town Council website. Shafton Parish Council: Mr. D. Booker, 18 Shafton Hall Drive, Shafton, Barnsley S72 8NY Telephone: (01226) 712529 Silkstone Parish Council: Mrs Karen Canadine, 40, St Andrew's Drive, Darton, Barnsley S75 5LX Telephone: (01226) 391343, Email Silkstone Parish Council More information is available on the Silkstone Parish Council website. Stainborough Parish Council: Brian Moss, 17 Castle Drive, Hood Green, Barnsley S75 3EY Telephone: (01226) 792119, Email Stainborough Parish Council Tankersley Parish Council: Mrs. Helen Charlesworth, The Croft, 1 Worsbrough Village, Barnsley. S70 5LW Telephone: (01226) 321295, Email Tankersley Parish Council More information is available on the Tankersley Parish Council website Thurgoland Parish Council: Ruth Pearson, 15 Talbot Road, Penistone, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S36 9ED Tel: (01226) 765020, Email Thurgoland Parish Council More information is available on the Thurgoland Parish Council website. Wortley Parish Council: Frank Sheldon, 7 Hawksley Rise, Oughtibridge, Sheffield S35 0JB Telephone: (0114) 286 2791, Email Wortley Parish Council This page is maintained by: Council Governance Unit Telephone: 01226 773421 Email the Council Governance Unit