A LABOUR councillor has slammed the new leader of the council after she was ‘removed’ from the Barnsley Town Board and replaced by a Reform member.
The Barnsley Town Board strategically leads the development of the town centre, maintains oversight of the operational management of the town centre, and governs the Pride in Place programme focused on the Barnsley Urban Area, which includes the town centre and its surrounding districts.
Central ward councillor Janine Moyes was previously a member of the board but, after Reform won the local elections, she was replaced by Rockingham councillor Christopher Denton.
She has subsequently hit out at Reform and Barnsley Council leader William Brown who is also a new member of the board stating she does not understand why a councillor in another ward has been selected to oversee projects in the town centre.
In a letter to Coun Brown, she said: “I have been on Barnsley Town Board for approximately two years, and almost since the partnership was first formed.
“Ninety per cent of the £20m government funding which the Barnsley Town Board is to manage, will be spent in Central ward. I joined the board to contribute an understanding of the issues in my ward and to reflect the views of my residents.
“Following the investment at the SEAM, plans are being discussed for the Oakwell corridor.
“I was a member prior to May 2026, of the newly-established Dearne Valley Park and Barnsley Main working group.
“All of the sites are within Central ward, and as ward councillors, we already work with the Central ward community groups, and therefore well aware, from what we hear on the ground, what we should look to fix, or be mindful of, regarding any investment.
“With respect, I am not sure what the Rockingham councillor, who is to take my place, will understand about Oakwell, Dearne Valley Park and Barnsley Main, compared to the councillor who represents and has worked for Central ward residents for four years.
“It is essential that, as a Central ward councillor, I should be around the table and be involved in any plans that are to be drawn up for Central ward.
“I very much hope you will over-turn this decision, as this should not be about party politics, this should be about allowing me to do the job I was democratically elected to do, that is, representing the interests of the community and residents I serve.”
Barnsley’s Reform Group were contacted for a comment but did not provide one ahead of our deadline.
