Metropolitan Borough of Barnsley

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The Metropolitan Borough of Barnsley is a local government area in South Yorkshire, England. The main town is Barnsley, with other towns including Wombwell, Worsbrough, Penistone and Hoyland.

Geography and land
The borough is mostly east of the M1 motorway, where areas are urban and industrial, while the west is more rural. About 16% of the area is urban overall, 68% is green belt, and 9% is national park land (mostly west of the M1).

Population and size
The borough covers about 127 square miles (329 square kilometers) and has a population of around 251,800 people (2024). The population density is roughly 1,980 people per square mile.

History and government
Barnsley was created as a metropolitan borough on 1 April 1974. It brought together 12 former districts. Since 1986, Barnsley Council has run all local government services. The borough is part of the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority. The council is led by the Labour Party, with one councillor serving as mayor each year. Elections are held three years out of every four for a total of 63 councillors.

Parliamentary representation
As of 2024, the borough is represented by three Labour MPs: Dan Jarvis (Barnsley North), Marie Tidball (Penistone & Stocksbridge), and Stephanie Peacock (Barnsley South).

communities and connections
Many places with historical ties to Barnsley lie outside the current borough, while the area includes villages and suburbs such as Hoyland and Hoylandswaine. The borough contains more than 100 schools, with about 14 secondary schools and around 80 primary schools.

Education and institutions
Post-16 education is provided by Barnsley College and the sixth form at Penistone Grammar School. Northern College, an adult education college, is at Wentworth Castle. The University of Huddersfield has a campus in Barnsley town centre.

Media and local services
Television for the area comes from BBC Yorkshire and ITV Yorkshire, broadcasting via Emley Moor. Local radio stations serve the community, and the Barnsley Chronicle is the local newspaper.

Overall, the Metropolitan Borough of Barnsley combines a historic industrial area with significant green space, hosting a large network of schools, colleges and a growing range of services managed by the local council.