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
Adults and Communities

Adult and Wellbeing

Stronger, Safer, Healthier Communities
Children’s Services

Education, Early Start and Prevention

Children’s Social Care and Safeguarding
Place

Regeneration and Culture

Environment and Transport
Public Health

Public Health

0-19 Service
Core Services

Legal Services

Business Improvement, Human Resources and Communications

Finance

Governance, Member Services and Business Support

Customer, Information and Digital Services

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. 

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