Local Government Boundary Commission listens to the views of Silkstone Common residents
I know from speaking to local residents on the doorstep and from discussions with Silkstone Parish Council that many people have had concerns about Barnsley Council's proposal to move Silkstone Common into the Dodworth ward.
This would have involved splitting Silkstone and Silkstone Common between different wards, despite the fact they share many services and are closely linked communities. Silkstone Common belongs in a rural ward such as Penistone East, along with similar villages, whilst Dodworth is a more urban area that has closer ties to Barnsley itself.
All of these places benefit from having local representation that reflect and understand their different situations.
So, sharing concerns that many local people do not agree with the proposals and have not been consulted about them, I wrote to the Local Government Boundary Commission for England to raise our view that the Barnsley Council's proposal should not be imposed against the wishes of the community.
I'm delighted that the Local Government Boundary Commission has listened to the Parish Council, the residents of Silkstone and Silkstone Common, Cllr Robert Barnard and myself to agree that the two villages are intrinsically linked and are best served by remaining in the Penistone East ward.
To split the parish in half and include Silkstone Common in an urban ward with Dodworth would have been totally inappropriate for the needs of the local community.
Our rural villages need a clear focus on the issues that affect them, which is something I've been working with local councillors to address.
I'm pleased that I was able to help residents to fight the proposals to split the villages and that our arguments were accepted by the Commission.
