Your local area and ward

One of our key priorities is to work with you to build communities that we can all be proud of.

We value any contributions that you make in your local area. Whether it's some kind of volunteer work or being involved in decision making, it makes a real difference for people who live there.

Find out more about how you can volunteer in your local area.

Ward alliances

Ward alliances are groups of people who have put themselves forward to help improve the communities they live in. They work with local councillors to determine what the priorities are for the area. You can apply to be part of a ward alliance if you're already involved with a local group or are active in your community.

Each ward alliance will develop a community plan which helps them to measure their progress in delivering their priorities. Each has a small budget called the ward alliance fund.

Find out more about our ward alliances in the video below.

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Funding

Ward alliance funding

Community groups can apply for ward alliance funding to help with projects that support their priorities. 

If you'd like to apply for funding email areateamsupport@barnsley.gov.uk for more details and an application form.  

Better Barnsley Bond funding

The Better Barnsley Bond (BBB) is a community-focused funding initiative designed to support local projects that align with the Barnsley 2030 vision. It aims to strengthen communities by investing in initiatives that promote health, learning, sustainability, and economic growth across the borough. The scheme encourages collaboration, inclusion, and long-term impact, offering grants of up to £5,000 to eligible groups. Applications are reviewed by a dedicated panel, and successful projects are expected to demonstrate clear community benefits and sustainability plans.

For more information, you can email areasupportteam@barnsley.gov.uk.

Area councils

There are six area councils in Barnsley, each made up of the locally elected councillors who support your ward alliances. They use information that you tell them about where you live to help them set the priorities for your area. They also take into account national sources of information such as the census.

These priorities make up the area plan. This outlines what needs to happen, how it can be done, who'll do it, and what it might cost. We use the plan to measure whether what's been done has made a difference.

You can ask your local councillor for more information about area councils. If you want to find out first hand, why not go to an area council meeting, or you can read the minutes of the meetings.