VOTING packs are being sent out asking residents to have their say on devolution.
The landmark community poll is being run by the council to gauge public opinion on the best way forward for the town.
Voters will be asked to choose between the current Sheffield City Region deal or a proposed wider Yorkshire agreement. Doncaster Council is also asking its residents to do the same.
Both Barnsley and Doncaster were due to be part of the £900m Sheffield City Region devolution deal which would have brought money and powers to be administered locally under a directly elected Mayor for South Yorkshire.
But that deal stumbled when the two councils pulled out, opting to pursue a wider Yorkshire deal, arguing the Sheffield City Region option was too small after the earlier withdrawal of councils from North Derbyshire.
Despite this setback, an election, thought to be costing in the region of £2m, is still planned for May 2018 to elect a South Yorkshire mayor.
The community poll for Barnsley was agreed by full council last month, receiving unanimous support from councillors across all parties.
A council statement said while the poll results are not legally binding the local authority ‘will do its best to respect the outcome and make sure that the devolution deal that Barnsley votes for is achieved’.
The voting packs, with information about both options, are being sent out to every registered voter.
Council leader Sir Steve Houghton said the council will listen to the people and follow their wishes even if the outcome is not the one he favours.
Barnsley Central MP Dan Jarvis hailed it a historic moment for Barnsley folk and urged people to support the wider Yorkshire deal.
He told the Chronicle: “This community poll is an important opportunity for Barnsley to take the lead in the Yorkshire devolution debate. Council leaders, businesses, and trade unions have all had their say on this issue and now it is time for people locally to make their voices heard.
“I would urge everyone to support a wider Yorkshire deal. It will give us the collective clout that we need to co-operate and compete with other areas of the country.
“If decisions on economic regeneration, infrastructure investment and transport, housing and skills are taken here in Yorkshire, people in Barnsley will be better off as a result.
“There is no doubt that a wider Yorkshire settlement would offer the better deal for Barnsley, for Yorkshire and the north in general.”
The poll closes on December 20 and the results will be announced on December 21. For more information visit: www.barnsley.gov.uk/devolution
