A LABOUR MP has sent an open letter to Barnsley Council’s new Reform leadership in the hope of sitting down to discuss their future priorities.
Marie Tidball, who represents Penistone and Stocksbridge, contacted new council leader William Brown and his deputy, Edward Dillingham, following their successful local election campaign which saw them oust Labour earlier this month.
Reform bagged 42 seats to Labour’s 11, ending the latter’s 50-year reign at the town hall.
Whilst a ruling cabinet is yet to be formed, the MP opted to write to the pair to insist on retaining the matters which were high on the previous council’s agenda.
Tackling the cost of living, boosting the NHS, guaranteeing safer communities, improving public transport across the town and continuing the success of the regeneration all formed key parts of Marie’s letter.
She said: “It is a great privilege to get to run such a successful council and serve our Barnsley communities.
“I look forward to working constructively in the interests of all residents across Barnsley and I hope that we can build a productive working relationship in the months and years ahead.
“Barnsley communities continue to face real financial pressure I would ask for assurance that vital support schemes, including the MiCard scheme, school uniform vouchers, as well as the Crisis and Resilience Fund, will be maintained for residents who encounter financial hardship.
I ask that the council supports the ongoing bus franchising process across South Yorkshire, led by Mayor Oliver Coppard, which will bring routes back into public hands and restore services that our communities desperately need.
“I also call on the council to back my campaign for two trains an hour on the Penistone Line, which would make an enormous difference to daily
life for thousands of my residents.
“Alongside my colleagues Dan Jarvis and Steph Peacock, I am also working to secure a direct rail service from Barnsley to London, and I hope this is a cause the council will champion alongside us.
“I am committed to working across party lines wherever it is in the best interests of the constituents I serve.”
Councillor Brown, who represents the North East ward, said he was aware of the public’s demands to hear more about Reform’s local plans.
“We’re now working to appoint a cabinet that will support us in taking Barnsley Council forward for the benefit of all residents in the borough, including those who voted for us and those who did not,” he added.
“We understand people are keen to hear our plans for Barnsley but it’s important we don’t rush into major decisions.
“We’re in a period of transition and we will have more to say in the coming weeks.”
