The Full Council of Barnsley Council met on Thursday 25 September 2025, to discuss a range of issues including a protocol on member/officer relations, the allocation of seats on committees, and an overview and scrutiny annual report. Councillors were also scheduled to consider questions from elected members and a motion on fly-tipping.

Member/Officer Protocol

The council was to consider a recommendation to approve a Protocol on Member-Officer Relations. According to the report, since the Local Government Act 2000, it has been standard practice for councils to have a protocol within their constitution to provide guidance on the relationships between councillors and council employees, emphasising respect, objectivity, impartiality, and honesty. The protocol was said to align with the Nolan principles¹ and Barnsley Council's codes of conduct. The report stated that adopting the protocol would establish a clear and professional framework for interactions, prevent misunderstandings, provide a reference point for resolving disputes, and support good governance.

Allocation of Seats on Committees and Regulatory Boards

The council was to review the allocation of seats on the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and regulatory boards. The Council Proportionality Report Sept 2025 noted that Section 15 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 requires the council to undertake this review at each annual council meeting, and when the political balance changes.

Following resignations from the Labour Party, the proposed allocation of the 63 seats was:

• Labour Group: 46 seats
• Liberal Democrat Group: 12 seats
• Conservative Party: 1 seat
• Independent Councillors: 4 seats

The report stated that the legislation does not require the review of the allocation of seats to political groups on the Cabinet, the Area Councils and Ward Alliances, or the Audit and Governance Committee.

Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report

The council was scheduled to consider the Overview and Scrutiny Committee's (OSC) annual report for 2024-25. The OSC Annual Report 2024-25 Cover Report stated that the report provided a comprehensive account of the committee's activities and demonstrates transparency and accountability. The report also highlighted how the local authority and its partner agencies have been held to account.

The OSC Annual Report 2024-25 FINAL outlined the work of the committee and its three task and finish groups, and demonstrates how this work contributes to the priorities of the council, thereby improving outcomes for the residents of Barnsley.

The report also highlighted the findings from surveys completed by committee members and expert witnesses and this feedback will be used to drive improvements within the overview and scrutiny function.

Questions from Elected Members

Councillors were scheduled to answer questions that had been received from elected members. The questions covered a range of local issues, including:

• The impact of a £5 million package of measures injected into the retail, hospitality, and leisure sectors. Councillor O'Donoghue asked if the cabinet member agreed with comments from Carrie Sudbury, Chief Executive of the Barnsley and Rotherham Chamber of Commerce, regarding the positive impact of the support.
• Allotment waiting lists. Councillor Bullcock asked why waiting lists for allotments are closed when there are vacant allotments across the borough.
• Tree maintenance in Worsbrough. Councillor Lodge asked for action to be taken on repeated requests for tree maintenance.
• S278 works on Dearne Hall Lane. Councillor T Cave asked for an update on these works.
• Progress on the Safer Roads Strategy. Councillor Hunt asked for an outline of the progress being made to reach the strategy's ambition to reduce the number of people killed and seriously injured on the roads by at least 50% by 2030.
• Funding for senior concessionary bus passes. Councillor Lodge asked if the cabinet member would raise with the Mayor of South Yorkshire the need for funding to keep the senior concessionary bus pass eligibility at current ages.
• Road conditions on Cross Street, Monk Bretton. Councillor Richardson asked for an update on any planned repair works.
• Cost of roadside signs. Councillor Bullcock asked if the cabinet member believed £115,500 was an acceptable cost for twelve roadside signs for an advisory traffic scheme in Kingstone.
• Road safety improvements on Station Road, Worsbrough Dale. Councillor Lodge asked for consideration of road safety improvements to help reduce the impact of the volume and size of vehicles on residents.
• Flooding on Lang Avenue, Lundwood. Councillor Green asked for an update on the work that Barnsley Council and partners are doing to address this issue.
• Safety at the Network Rail crossing at Wilthorpe. Councillor Lofts asked for an update on the latest position and the steps taken to ensure the safety of those using the crossing and associated public rights of way.
• Removal of replacement charge for wheelie bins. Councillor Dyson asked the cabinet member to explain why this step was taken and what the intended outcomes of the change are expected to be.
• Drought situation in the Barnsley Borough. Councillor Markham asked for an update on the latest situation and what steps have been taken by the council to play its part in conserving water.
• Take-up of the Mi-Card scheme. Councillor Bellamy asked for an update on the take up of the Mi-Card, the scheme allowing free travel for Children and Young People in Barnsley.
• Council debt reduction. Councillor Roberts asked what factors have contributed to the reduction in borrowing over the last year.

The Questions from Elected Members with Responses Thursday 25-Sep-2025 10.00 Full Council.pdf document also included the proposed responses to these questions.

Motion on Fly-Tipping

Councillor Chris Wray was scheduled to propose a motion, seconded by Councillor Bullcock, on pre-emptive tackling of fly-tipping through free bulky waste collection. The motion noted that fly-tipping is a blight on the local environment, a persistent and worsening issue, and a financial burden on the council. The council was asked to resolve to:

• Undertake a cost-benefit analysis comparing potential savings from reduced fly-tipping against the reduced income from introducing a free two-item bulky-waste collection service.
• Explore potential external funding to support such a model.
• Explore potential communication measures to highlight the service and further reduce fly-tipping by encouraging its use.
• Request that the cabinet member for Environment and Transport report back to full council within four months on the potential financial impact of such a policy change.

Public Questions

The council was scheduled to receive questions submitted by members of the public, together with responses. The 2025 09 25 Public Questions to Council.pdf document contained one question from a member of the public, regarding council tax concessions for terminally ill residents.