BARNSLEY has been selected as one of just 75 areas across the United Kingdom to benefit from a £1.5bn pot to ‘fix the foundations of places most left behind’.

It was announced earlier this week that the programme, set up by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, would benefit Barnsley Council to the tune of up to £20m over the next decade.

The scheme, dubbed Plan for Neighbourhoods, will see the funding used to help revive high streets, youth clubs, parks and libraries.

Each council must create a ‘local board’ which will decide on how and where the money will be spent across the borough.

By April 22, Barnsley Council must confirm their finalised membership and any proposals that will alter the boundary.

Then the local board will have to submit their ‘regeneration plan’ to the government by winter.

They can choose from options ranging from repairs to pavements and high streets, to setting up low-cost community grocers providing low-cost alternatives when shopping for essentials, as well as co-operatives or even neighbourhood watches./

From April 2026 the funding will then be released to the council.

Ms Rayner said: “For years, too many neighbourhoods have been starved of investment, despite their potential to thrive and grow.

“Communities across the UK have so much to offer rich cultural capital, unique heritage but most of all, an understanding of their own neighbourhood.

“We will do things differently, our fully-funded Plan for Neighbourhoods puts local people in the driving seat of their potential, having control of where the Whitehall cash goes - what issues they want to tackle, where they want to regenerate and what growth they want turbocharge.”

Marie Tidball, MP for Penistone and Stocksbridge, praised the new scheme.

She added: “Barnsley Council will be getting up to £20m over the next decade as part of Angela Rayner’s Plan for Neighbourhoods.

“Both funding and control is being given to the neighbourhoods that will benefit.

“A local board will be set up - including residents - who will get to decide how the money is used.

“Restoring pride in our towns means helping to revive our high streets, youth clubs, parks and libraries so communities and businesses can thrive.

“This is what change looks like.”

Minister for Local Growth and Building Safety, Alex Norris MP, added: “When our local neighbourhoods thrive, the rest of the country thrives too.

“That’s why we are empowering communities to take control of their futures and create the regeneration and growth they want to see.

“Our Plan for Neighbourhoods we will deliver long-term funding that will bolster that inner community spirit in us all and relight the fires in corners of the UK that have for too long been left fighting for survival.

“This, along with our ambitious reforms to streamline the planning system, devolve powers and strengthen workers’ rights, will help get places and people thriving once again.”/

Coun Robin Franklin, cabinet spokesperson for regeeration and culture, told the Chronicle: “hilst this is not new money, we are pleased the UK government has renewed its commitment to provide up to £20m of funding for Barnsley as part of the Plan for Neighbourhoods, previously known as the Long Term Plan for Towns.

“This investment focuses on developing thriving places and stronger communities and will have a great impact in enhancing the quality of life for our residents.

“In line with government guidance, we have begun the process of putting plans in place to develop and submit a ten-year regeneration plan.

“We have already conducted considerable community engagement work that we strongly believe in the value of, and this will play a part in the plans we bring forward, while taking into account the renewed guidance from government.

“By drawing on this work, we hope to advance the delivery of this programme as soon as possible to begin making changes to benefit the people of Barnsley.

“We are confident that this investment will support our work to upgrade local infrastructure, support the development of community projects, and enhance our green spaces, making Barnsley an even better place to live, work, and thrive.”