Full council to consider Community Poll on devolution path for Barnsley

Latest news in Yorkshire: October 30, 11:27:18 AM

Local people could be asked for their views on Barnsley’s future devolution deal direction.

A proposal to hold a community poll in December is to be discussed at a special full council meeting next Thursday (November 9).

The proposed Community Poll would ask every voter in the borough to say which devolution deal they want to see Barnsley become part of – either the current Sheffield City Region deal or a wider Yorkshire deal.

The proposal to hold a poll has come from recent developments around devolution in Yorkshire with 15 councils saying they would support a wider deal – one of which is Barnsley. Doncaster has also said it would support a Yorkshire deal.

The community poll would be a public consultation where people who are registered to vote would be asked a proposed single question of which deal they would prefer Barnsley to part of.

Cllr Sir Steve Houghton (CBE), Leader of Barnsley Council, has stated his own position on devolution and which he believes would be a better deal for Barnsley. However, he wants to hear local people’s views on which path Barnsley should take.

“Over the last month, I have made it clear that I personally believe a wider Yorkshire deal is the better solution for Barnsley, its people, communities and businesses.

“Devolution is a major decision that affects us for the next 30 years. The debate has been going on for many months and it’s clear that there are different perspectives across the city region and a difference of opinion with central government.

“While this decision is not legally binding on the council, I want to give the residents of Barnsley an opportunity to have their say on what would be a generation changing decision on devolution. If the proposal for a community poll is approved at full council on the 9 November 2017, we will do our best to respect the outcome and do all we can to make sure that it’s achieved.

Read Full Report: http://barnsleymbc.moderngov.co.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=133&MId=4847

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