Photo: Steve Fareham · CC BY-SA 2.0Reform UK holds a majority on Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council
Barnsley is run by Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council. Reform UK has a majority on Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council. Barnsley is split between 3 parliamentary constituencies.
£2,317
Band D, a year, the middle band every council sets its tax from.
Where it goes →How Barnsley’s politics has changed since 2021
A majority on Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council
Reform UK holds a majority on Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council: 42 of its 63 seats as elected. Labour holds 11, the Liberal Democrats 8 and independents 2. Who’s in charge ↓
Council tax
A Band D bill in Barnsley is £2,317 for 2026–27; Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council keeps 84% of it. The council area’s Band D has risen 53% in ten years, against England’s 56%. Council money ↓
Written from the data on this page: Democracy Club results since May 2021, the UK Parliament Members API and MHCLG council tax.
Who holds the seats
Seats by party as elected. A party needs 32 of Barnsley’s 63 seats to run the council alone.
- Reform UK42
- Labour11
- Liberal Democrat8
- Independent2
Latest election: May 2026.
Seats are counted from election results: each ward’s most recent winners until its seats are filled. Councillors who have since changed party or resigned aren’t reflected, and which parties lead the council, and who is leader, comes from the council itself.
Results: Democracy Club (CC BY 4.0), elections since May 2021; seats per ward from its EveryElection.
The councils that run Barnsley
One council runs every main service here.
Every main council service: schools, social care, roads, bins, planning, housing and libraries.
Website ↗Transport, skills and regeneration across several council areas.
Who to ask
From GOV.UK’s “Understand how your council works”: here one council runs every main service.
All of Barnsley is unparished: there is no parish or town council, so the council runs local matters itself and no parish precept is added to the bill.
Councils from ONS lookups (wards and councils May 2026, parishes 2025), names and websites from GOV.UK’s local council finder; parish councils from MHCLG’s 2026–27 list of precepting parishes.
From the council to Westminster
Every elected tier that speaks for Barnsley, from the most recent elections.
- 1Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council8 wards · 24 councillorsReform UK 12 · Labour 8 · Liberal Democrat 3 · Independent 1 · all 24
- 2Police and crime commissionerSouth Yorkshire Police · elected May 2021Alan Billings
- 3House of CommonsSplit between 3 constituencies
Party colours are neutral on purpose: they tell parties apart and aren’t the parties’ own. Tap an MP’s name for their contact page on parliament.uk.
24 councillors for 8 wards
Wards with at least 2% of the town’s residents, or half their own inside it. Each shows who won its most recent elections, newest first, until its seats are filled.
- Steve BullcockLiberal Democrat · May 2026
- Philip WrightLiberal Democrat · May 2026
- Ian GuestLiberal Democrat · May 2026
- Ian Paul EarpReform UK · May 2026
- Jayne HulmeReform UK · May 2026
- Rocky LaybournReform UK · May 2026
- Nicola SumnerLabour · May 2026
- Janine MoyesLabour · May 2026
- Martin Joseph O'DonoghueLabour · May 2026
- Edward DillinghamReform UK · May 2026
- Andrew GillisReform UK · May 2026
- Liam HardcastleReform UK · May 2026
- Phil LoftsLabour · May 2026
- Jo NewingLabour · May 2026
- Brandon James GreenLabour · May 2026
- Paul KellyReform UK · May 2026
- Kate MilnerReform UK · May 2026
- Alan ParkerReform UK · May 2026
- Jake Michael LodgeIndependent · May 2026
- Gill CarrReform UK · May 2026
- Mike LycettReform UK · May 2026
- Steve HoughtonLabour · May 2026
- Joe HaywardLabour · May 2026
- Stanley John BryanReform UK · May 2026
Show as a table
| Ward | Seats | Elected | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kingstoneall in Barnsley · 11,751 residents3 seats · May 2026 | 3 | Steve BullcockPhilip WrightIan Guest | May 2026 |
| Athersley & New Lodgeall in Barnsley · 11,680 residents3 seats · May 2026 | 3 | Ian Paul EarpJayne HulmeRocky Laybourn | May 2026 |
| Centralall in Barnsley · 11,400 residents3 seats · May 2026 | 3 | Nicola SumnerJanine MoyesMartin Joseph O'Donoghue | May 2026 |
| Stairfootmostly in Barnsley · 10,344 residents3 seats · May 2026 | 3 | Edward DillinghamAndrew GillisLiam Hardcastle | May 2026 |
| Old Townall in Barnsley · 10,269 residents3 seats · May 2026 | 3 | Phil LoftsJo NewingBrandon James Green | May 2026 |
| Monk Brettonmostly in Barnsley · 10,093 residents3 seats · May 2026 | 3 | Paul KellyKate MilnerAlan Parker | May 2026 |
| Worsbrough27% in Barnsley · 3,441 residents3 seats · May 2026 | 3 | Jake Michael LodgeGill CarrMike Lycett | May 2026 |
| Cudworth15% in Barnsley · 1,638 residents3 seats · May 2026 | 3 | Steve HoughtonJoe HaywardStanley John Bryan | May 2026 |
Councillors can resign, change party or sit as independents between elections; a by-election winner replaces someone not named here. Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council’s website lists who sits now.
Results from Democracy Club’s candidates database (CC BY 4.0; elections since May 2021) and ward seats from its EveryElection, matched to ONS wards (May 2026) and county divisions (May 2025).
Barnsley council election, May 2026
Results in the wards that make up Barnsley, as declared. Percentages are of votes cast for candidates in each ward; where a ward elects several councillors, each voter has that many votes.
8 wards voted. Every seat in the town’s wards was up.
No election is scheduled yet for Barnsley’s wards in Democracy Club’s list. Councils publish a notice of election about five weeks before polling day.
Who can I vote for? ↗9,403 votes for candidates · 3 seats, so 3 votes each
6,563 votes for candidates · 3 seats, so 3 votes each
8,111 votes for candidates · 3 seats, so 3 votes each
Every ward’s result (5 more)
7,851 votes for candidates · 3 seats, so 3 votes each
10,052 votes for candidates · 3 seats, so 3 votes each
9,299 votes for candidates · 3 seats, so 3 votes each
9,628 votes for candidates · 3 seats, so 3 votes each
8,389 votes for candidates · 3 seats, so 3 votes each
Candidates and results: Democracy Club (CC BY 4.0), from councils’ declared results; polling dates from Democracy Club’s EveryElection.
Barnsley is split between 3 constituencies
The constituencies’ MP and the 4 July 2024 general election, the whole constituency’s result.
Labour, MP since 3 March 2011
65% of Barnsley’s residents live in this constituency.
Turnout 47% (England 60%).
Majority 7,811 of 36,894 votes (21.2%): wider than in 69% of England’s 543 constituencies.
Labour, MP since 8 June 2017
31% of Barnsley’s residents live in this constituency.
Turnout 46% (England 60%).
Majority 4,748 of 35,082 votes (13.5%): the 264th-narrowest of 543 in England.
Labour, MP since 4 July 2024
5% of Barnsley’s residents live in this constituency.
Turnout 62% (England 60%).
Majority 8,739 of 43,965 votes (19.9%): wider than in 67% of England’s 543 constituencies.
36,894 votes for candidates · majority 7,811
Labour, MP since 3 March 2011.
turnout in July 2024: 36,894 votes from 78,274 registered voters. England: 60%.
Majority 7,811 of 36,894 votes (21.2%): wider than in 69% of England’s 543 constituencies.
Barnsley South
35,082 votes for candidates · majority 4,748
Labour, MP since 8 June 2017.
turnout in July 2024: 35,082 votes from 75,853 registered voters. England: 60%.
Majority 4,748 of 35,082 votes (13.5%): the 264th-narrowest of 543 in England.
Penistone and Stocksbridge
43,965 votes for candidates · majority 8,739
Labour, MP since 4 July 2024.
turnout in July 2024: 43,965 votes from 70,435 registered voters. England: 60%.
Majority 8,739 of 43,965 votes (19.9%): wider than in 67% of England’s 543 constituencies.
MPs and results: UK Parliament Members API (Open Parliament Licence v3.0); constituencies from ONS (2024 boundaries). Percentages are of valid votes; turnout is votes cast over the electorate.
Barnsley’s Band D council tax is £2,317 a year
Where a Band D bill goes, what it has cost over the years, and what the councils plan to spend per resident.
Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council keeps £1,942.29 of a Band D bill (84%); the rest goes to the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority and the South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority.
Band D since 1993
Barnsley’s Band D bill has risen 53% in ten years, from £1,522.37 in 2016–17, against England’s average (56%). It was £600.75 in 1993–94.
Your bill by band
A Band D home in the unparished part of Barnsley, 2026–27, before discounts. The Valuation Office Agency’s band search gives any home’s band.
South Yorkshire’s councils
Average Band D in each council area, 2026–27, parish precepts included. Bars start at £2,000.
Council budgets per resident, 2026–27
Show as a table, with South Yorkshire
| Barnsley | Barnsley’s councils | South Yorkshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult social care | £422 | £528 | £487 |
| Children’s social care | £407 | £333 | £290 |
| Roads and transport | £12 | £67 | £41 |
| Housing (not council homes’ rents) | £40 | £45 | £61 |
| Bins, street cleaning, environment | £141 | £120 | £119 |
| Libraries, leisure, culture | £53 | £51 | £44 |
| Planning and development | £45 | £37 | £26 |
| Public health | £103 | £94 | £78 |
| Running the council | £30 | £47 | £59 |
| Other | £0 | £2 | £19 |
| Total, schools apart | £1,252 | £1,323 | £1,234 |
Net budgeted service spending, MHCLG Revenue Account budget 2026–27, per resident (ONS mid-2025 estimates). Schools are left out: academies are paid for directly by government, so council school budgets depend on how many schools have converted. South Yorkshire and England: all their councils together. Police, fire and transport authorities aren’t included.
Band D: MHCLG Band D council tax 2026–27 (each authority’s own figure, excluding parish precepts) and Council Tax statistics for town and parish councils 2026–27; since 1993–94, MHCLG’s area averages including parishes.
Having a say in how Barnsley is run
It takes about five minutes online; the deadline is 12 working days before a poll.
gov.uk ↗Type a postcode to write to each of its councillors and its MP.
WriteToThem ↗GOV.UK sends the report to the council that looks after the road.
gov.uk ↗Council and committee meetings are open to the public, with agendas and minutes online.
barnsley.gov.uk ↗Anyone can comment while an application is open for consultation.
barnsley.gov.uk ↗The rules, nomination papers and guidance for council candidates.
Electoral Commission ↗Questions about how Barnsley is run
Does Barnsley have a town council?
No. Barnsley is unparished, so there is no town or parish council and no parish precept.
Who is the MP for Barnsley?
Barnsley is split between 3 constituencies: Barnsley North (Dan Jarvis, Labour), Barnsley South (Stephanie Peacock, Labour) and Penistone and Stocksbridge (Dr Marie Tidball, Labour). Parliament’s Find your MP service matches a postcode to its MP.
How many councillors does Barnsley have?
24 ward councillors represent Barnsley’s 8 wards.
When are the next elections in Barnsley?
No election is scheduled yet in Democracy Club’s list for Barnsley’s wards. The next UK general election must be held by August 2029.
How much is council tax in Barnsley?
Band D council tax in Barnsley is £2,317 for 2026–27. Your bill depends on your home’s band, from A (6/9 of Band D) to H (18/9).
Who controls Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council?
Reform UK has a majority: 42 of 63 seats as elected. The council’s website lists who leads it now.
Who won the 2026 council election in Barnsley?
In Barnsley’s wards on 7 May 2026, Reform UK 12 · Labour 8 · Liberal Democrat 3 · Independent 1 of the 24 seats up. Reform UK had the largest share of votes, 41.7%.
Sources: ONS ward, county division, parish, constituency lookups (Census 2021 output areas; Open Government Licence v3.0) · GOV.UK local council finder · Democracy Club candidates (CC BY 4.0) and EveryElection · UK Parliament Members API (Open Parliament Licence v3.0) · MHCLG Band D council tax, parish precepts and Revenue Account budgets 2026–27 (OGL v3.0) · ONS mid-2025 population estimates. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Contains HM Land Registry data © Crown copyright and database right 2026. Contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right 2026 (ONS boundaries). Northern Ireland: Source: NISRA; contains Land & Property Services data and Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland information, © Crown copyright, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Scotland: contains National Records of Scotland data, Registers of Scotland data and SEPA data, © Crown copyright / © SEPA 2025, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.