What is the Silkstone Neighbourhood Development Plan referendum?

A referendum asks you to vote ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to a question. For this referendum the a ballot paper asked the following question:

Do you want Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council to use the Neighbourhood Plan for Silkstone to help it decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area?

What is a neighbourhood area?

The neighbourhood area for Silkstone is shown on Map 1 in the Silkstone Neighbourhood Development Plan (referendum version). This document can be viewed above. It was designated by Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council on 3 May 2017 and covers the parish of Silkstone.

The Parish of Silkstone is located about four miles west of Barnsley and four miles northeast of Penistone. It is in the local authority area of Barnsley District Council, South Yorkshire. The Parish comprises the two villages of Silkstone to the north and Silkstone Common to the south.

Am I entitled to vote in the referendum?

You were entitled to vote in the referendum if on the 19 October 2023:

• You were entitled to vote in a local government election in the referendum area.
• Your qualifying address for the election is in the referendum area. A person’s qualifying address is in relation to a person registered in the register of electors. This is the address where he or she is entitled to be registered.

The referendum will be conducted based in accordance with procedures similar to those used at local government elections.

How do I vote in the referendum?

Registering to vote

• Applications to register to vote must reach the Electoral Registration Officer by 12 midnight on Tuesday 3 October 2023. You can also register to vote online.
• Applications, amendments or cancellations of postal votes must reach the Electoral Registration Officer by 5pm on Wednesday 4 October 2023.
• Applications to vote by proxy at this election must reach the Electoral Registration Officer by 5pm Wednesday 11 October 2023.
• Applications to vote by emergency proxy at this election can be made on the grounds of physical incapacity or for work/service reasons. Your application must reach the Electoral Registration Officer by 5pm on Thursday 19 October 2023. The physical incapacity must have occurred after 5pm on Wednesday 11 October 2023. To apply on the grounds of work/service, the person must have become aware that they cannot go to the polling station in person after 5pm on Wednesday 11 October 2023.

Applications to the Electoral Registration Officer should be sent to: Town Hall, Church Street, Barnsley, S70 2TA.

What happens when I vote?

You'll be given a ballot paper at the polling station. You can vote by putting a cross (X) in the ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ box on your ballot paper. You'll only be allowed to put a cross in one box or your vote will not be counted.

If more than 50% of individuals vote ‘yes’ in the referendum, then Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council will ‘make’ the Silkstone Neighbourhood Development Plan. If the Neighbourhood Plan is ‘made’ it will help determine planning applications in the Silkstone Neighbourhood Area. It will also form part of the statutory development plan for Barnsley Metropolitan.

If more people vote ‘no’ than ‘yes’ then the Neighbourhood Plan will not be made part of the statutory development plan for the local area.

Where can I view a hard copy of the referendum documents?

A hard copy of all of the above documents and this information statement can be inspected at:

• Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council, Town Hall, Church Street, Barnsley, S70 2TA Opening Times: 8:30am – 17:00 pm Mon – Thurs, 8:30am – 16:30pm Fri.
• Library at the Lightbox, 1 The Glass Works, Barnsley S70 1GW. Opening Times: Monday and Wednesday – 9am to 7pm, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9am to 5pm, Saturday 9.30am to 4pm.
• Penistone Library, High Street, Penistone, Sheffield, S36 6BR. Opening Times: Monday - 9am to 6pm. Tuesday - 9am to 5pm. Wednesday - 9am to 12pm. Thursday - 9am to 7pm. Friday - 9am to 5pm. Saturday - 9.30am to 12pm.

Referendum expenses

Expenses can be incurred by an individual or body during the period of the referendum for referendum purposes.

The referendum expenses limit that will apply (as at 1 September 2023) in relation to this referendum is £2,507.79 (£2,362 + £0.059 for each registered elector). The number of persons entitled to vote in the referendum is 2,471

How to find out more

Further general information on neighbourhood planning is available on our website.

For queries regarding the referendum please contact Electoral Services: electoralservices@barnsley.gov.uk or 01226 773070..