Council structure
We're a medium sized unitary council, with a wide range of responsibilities, delivering services ranging from education, social care and housing, to managing the highway, registering births and deaths, and keeping the borough clean, amongst many others.
Our business model for Future Council consists of five directorates that work together to deliver the council's key priorities.
| Directorate | Services |
| Place |
Regeneration and Culture Environment and Transport |
| People |
Education, Early Start and Prevention Children's Social Care and Safeguarding |
| Communities |
Stronger, Safer and Healthier Communities Customer, Information and Digital Services Adult Social Care and Health Provider Services |
| Public Health |
Public Health and Regulatory Services 0-19 Service |
| Core Services |
Human Resources Legal Business Improvement and Communications Finance Governance, Member and Business Support |
Our priorities
Thriving and vibrant economies
We’re investing to build Barnsley’s economy to achieve the following outcomes:
- create more and better jobs and good business growth
- increase skills to get more people working
- develop a vibrant town centre
- strengthen our visitor economy
- create more and better housing
People achieving their potential
We’re creating a healthier, safer and better educated population to achieve the following outcomes:
- every child attends a good school and is successful in learning and work
- reducing demand through access to early help
- children and adults are safe from harm
- people are healthier, happier, independent and active
Strong and resilient communities
We’re helping people to get the most out of where they live now and in the future to achieve the following outcomes:
- people volunteering and contributing towards stronger communities
- protecting the borough for future generations by recycling and using renewable energy
- customers can contact us easily and use more services online
Councillors and Cabinet
Barnsley has 63 councillors, elected in thirds every four years. They're democratically accountable, and have a duty to the whole community, including those who didn't vote for them. All councillors meet together as a council to set overall policy and budget.
The Cabinet is the main elected member decision-making body of the council. It's made up of the Leader of the Council, plus seven other members appointed by the leader, each with the title Cabinet Spokesperson.
Each spokesperson is responsible for several council services, known as their portfolio. As well as leading discussions in Cabinet about services in their portfolio, they have the power to take some routine decisions themselves.