BARNSLEY voters have overwhelmingly backed a 'One Yorkshire' devolution deal in a community poll, the Chronicle can confirm.
A massive 84.9 per cent of voters backed Wider Yorkshire compared to just 15.1 per cent voting for Sheffield City Region.
Turnout was 22.4 per cent - higher than recent council by-elections and Police and Crime Commissioner elections.
Barnsley had been due to join the Sheffield deal under a South Yorkshire Mayor - still due to be elected in May - which would bring £30m a year over the next 30 years.
But earlier this year Barnsley Council said it wanted to explore the options of a bigger, One Yorkshire devolution deal instead after smaller councils in Derbyshire pulled out of the Sheffield City Region deal.
The council sent ballot papers to all registered voters in the community poll to gauge the public's view, with One Yorkshire coming out on top. Doncaster has also voted in favour of One Yorkshire by a similar margin.
Full story and reaction in tomorrow's Barnsley Chronicle.
