Mayor of Barnsley

Mayor’s biography

Councillor Liam Hardcastle is the official Mayor of Barnsley for 2026 to 2027. He was formally elected to serve as the Civic Mayor of Barnsley in May 2026.

Cllr Hardcastle is the elected member for the Stairfoot ward. He said: “I’m absolutely delighted to have been chosen to serve as Mayor of Barnsley. To represent our ‘tarn’ is one of the greatest honours I could imagine.

"Barnsley has always been my home. It’s a place built on strong communities, kindness, and resilience. I look forward to giving something back to the place and the people who have shaped me.

"I’m a proud family man with two children, aged 15 and 8, and in 2023 I met my partner, Natalie. I’m excited for us to represent Barnsley together as Mayor and Mayoress. We’re looking forward to meeting people of all ages, celebrating everything that makes Barnsley special, and bringing communities together in support of good causes.

"For more than 22 years, I’ve worked in the private security industry, supporting the public in a wide range of settings including stadiums, shopping centres, nightclubs, festivals, the rail network, and national infrastructure. That experience has given me a strong sense of public service and an understanding of people from all walks of life.

"In 2010 I started my career in K9 security and went on to learn my current trade. I trained to handle dogs of various disciplines, from guarding to search work. I achieved my search qualifications and went on to use search dogs to find narcotics and pyrotechnics. In 2021, I focused on guarding with my K9, which I still currently do.

"In 2020, I was honoured to receive a Proud of Barnsley Award for helping underprivileged children across the borough during the COVID period. Through that initiative, we collected thousands of toys to bring some much-needed joy to families during a very difficult time. It was a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when Barnsley comes together to help those who need it most.”

Mayor's charities

Each year, the incoming mayor chooses their mayoral charity or charities for the year ahead. All money raised throughout the year from mayoral fundraising activities and charity work is presented to the chosen charity at the end of the mayoral year.

Their chosen charity is always local to Barnsley, and the mayor usually chooses a charity that is close to their hearts or of meaning to them in some way. Through the years, mayoral fundraising activities have ranged from the Mayor’s Ball and golf day to karaoke, auctions and sponsored walks.

The mayoral charities for 2026 to 2027 are BIADS and Barnsley Hospital Charity.

Mayoral theme

Each year the mayor chooses a theme which summarises their ethos or focus for the borough and its communities during their mayoral year. It is usually something that resonates with or means something personally to the mayor and their family.

The mayor’s chosen theme for 2025-26 is Family and Community.

“Family is where we first learn love, trust, kindness, and the importance of standing by one another. It is the foundation that shapes our values and teaches us how to care for others. Community takes those same lessons and expands them beyond our homes, connecting us with people from different backgrounds who share common hopes and goals.

"Together, family and community create a sense of belonging and strength. In times of joy, they celebrate with us, and in times of difficulty, they remind us that we are never alone. They teach us the importance of respect, cooperation, and compassion. When families support each other, communities become stronger, safer, and more united.

"A loving family builds confident individuals, and a united community creates opportunities for everyone to grow and succeed. No matter where we come from, we all need connection, encouragement, and support. By caring for our families and contributing positively to our communities, we help create a world where people feel valued, accepted, and inspired to help one another.”

Deputy mayor

The Deputy Mayor of Barnsley for 2026 to 2027 is Cllr Michael Davies, who will assist the Mayor during the year and stand in at engagements where necessary.

Cllr Davies is the Deputy Mayor of Barnsley and elected member for Hoyland Milton Ward. He said: “I’m a proud local resident, passionate about supporting communities, local charities, and bringing people together across the borough.

"I founded MyHoyland community platform and have spent many years supporting local residents, businesses, and community groups. Before entering local government, I served as an Officer with South Yorkshire Police, worked as a publican for over a decade, and worked as a first responder with Yorkshire Ambulance Service. I currently work as an Oxygen Technician supporting the NHS.

"As Deputy Mayor, I’m committed to representing Barnsley with pride and continuing to support the communities I serve.”