Barnsley Council – Stronger Communities

In 2013, Barnsley Council’s Stronger Communities programme shifted from traditional service delivery to a community partnership model. It actively involves communities and civil society organisations in designing, delivering and reviewing services through devolved decision making.

To target resources in the most cost-effective way to meet local needs, the council increased community involvement, moving from “doing things for” to “working with” residents and community groups.

There are six area councils in Barnsley supported by an Area Team, each made up of all elected councillors in that area. Each area council covers between two and five wards, and is chaired by one of the local councillors.

In addition, each ward has its own ward alliance, made up of the three elected councillors for that ward and around 15 local community members who have put themselves forward to help improve the area.

Each area council receives £100,000 per ward per year, while ward alliances receive an additional £10,000 each.

Additional funding is also available through council-wide grants such as the Better Barnsley Bond, which is funded by Barnsley-based construction companies, or the Unity and Inclusion Grant which is specifically focussed on community cohesion and bringing people together through Love Where You Live.

Each area has an Area Team to work alongside elected members, including an Area Manager. A Community Development Officer supports each ward alliance, acting as a vital link between the alliance and the wider community as well as driving forward the work of the alliance. Back-office support is provided by a dedicated team, including communications, performance monitoring, contract management, finance and grant funding.

Both the area councils and ward alliances operate through meetings, bringing in resident voices through ward alliance community members and working to co-produce services alongside different people and partners. Members of the public are also welcome to attend area council meetings, with all agendas and minutes published on the council website. The approach builds on an Asset Based Community Development (ABCD) model, building on the assets within the community and mobilising individuals, associations and institutions to come together to realise and develop their strengths.

The area councils consider data about the area as well as resident feedback to set priorities for the area through an area plan, which in turn contributes to the Barnsley 2030 priorities. All funding in the area should then align with those priorities, helping to ensure that funding directly addresses local needs and concerns, while contributing to the overall development of Barnsley being a place of possibilities.

Area councils are responsible for commissioning or grant funding work across the area, for example work around social isolation, emotional health and wellbeing, welfare advice and the environment. Much of this is provided by the local voluntary and community sector, recognising that they are well placed to support the local community and can be flexible to meet need.

Community groups are able to apply for ward alliance funding to support smaller projects in the area, with the ward alliance coming together to approve funding requests.

None of the decisions made by area councils or ward alliances require cabinet sign off; this responsibility is devolved to councillors and the other ward alliance members, recognising that they know their areas best. The council’s Stronger Communities Team provides support to ensure that funding is spent effectively, with all financial and audit controls adhered to.

Some of the achievements of the area councils and ward alliances in 2024-25 include:

• 2,317 adults benefitting from emotional and wellbeing support
• 17, 591 volunteering opportunities supported
• 1,925 new volunteers
• 1,119 community groups supported by area teams
• £497,253 external funding gained to support social and community action.

The model also supports borough-wide initiatives such as the Love Where You Live programme. First established in 2013, this campaign was relaunched and rebranded in 2025 in response to the violent disorder seen in Summer 2024. The re-launched campaign focuses on visibly improving local places, informing residents about what is happening in their communities and encouraging their involvement, improving community intelligence and increasing social connections between people from different backgrounds. Each ward has been allocated £25,000 to deliver a high-level local improvement project to ensure community ownership and involvement. The area working arrangements ensures that borough-wide initiatives can be locally targeted, and offers a way to keep local voices at the centre of Barnsley-wide activity.

The community impact delivered through the area working arrangements has contributed to Barnsley Council’s national recognition, winning both the Local Government Chronicle’s Council of the Year title and the Municipal Journal Local Authority of the Year award in 2023, the only council to win both awards in the same year.

• Commissioning predominantly through the VCS has proven extremely beneficial in providing responsive support that meets the community’s needs. This proved particularly valuable in Barnsley during the Covid-19 pandemic.
• Focus on sharing decision-making with communities, rather than a traditional model of “listen then respond”.
• Taking an asset-based approach helps communities to focus on solutions rather than problems. Retain flexibility to innovate, adapt and change what doesn’t work.
• Commission on quality and social value rather than on price. Micro-commissioning services at a local level ensures that residents receive the support they need, where they need it, including responding to hyperlocal issues that may otherwise be overlooked.

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