The Barnsley (Electoral Changes) Order 2025
The Barnsley (Electoral Changes) Order 2025 implements recommendations from the Local Government Boundary Commission for England, abolishing existing wards in the borough of Barnsley and establishing 21 new ones.
The order details the new ward boundaries, specifies that each ward will elect three councillors, and sets out the schedule for elections and councillor retirements, with staggered terms to avoid full council elections every year.
It also provides rules for resolving ties in elections.
Arguments For
Improved Representation: The restructuring of wards aims to create more equitable representation for the residents of Barnsley, potentially reflecting population shifts or changing community needs.
Enhanced Efficiency: Redistricting may streamline administrative processes related to elections and local governance within the borough.
Compliance with Legal Requirements: The Order fulfills the legal obligation of the Local Government Boundary Commission for England to regularly review and adjust electoral arrangements, ensuring compliance with statutory provisions.
Evidence-Based Decisions: The changes are a direct result of a comprehensive review and recommendations (documented in the December 2024 report) by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England, suggesting a data-driven approach to boundary adjustments.
Arguments Against
Disruption to Established Systems: Such significant changes to electoral wards might disrupt long-standing community connections and relationships within the borough.
Potential for Gerrymandering: Although unlikely given the Commission's process, the redrawing of boundaries raises a potential theoretical concern of manipulating district lines to favor particular political interests.
Limited Public Participation: Concerns could exist about the level of public engagement in the boundary review process prior to the order's implementation.
Transitional Challenges: The implementation of the new system may require significant adjustments to local government organizational processes and elections administration.
Citation, commencement, extent and application 1.
(1)
This Order may be cited as the Barnsley (Electoral Changes) Order 2025.
(2)
This article and article 2 come into force on the day after the day on which this Order is made.
(3)
Articles 3 and 4 come into force—
(a)
for the purpose of proceedings preliminary or relating to the election of councillors, on 15th October 2025;
(b)
for all other purposes, on the ordinary day of election of councillors in England in 2026.
(4)
This Order extends to England and Wales but applies in relation to England only.
This section provides the official title of the document (Barnsley (Electoral Changes) Order 2025) and outlines its effective dates.
Parts of the order come into force quickly (the next day, and October 15th, 2025), focusing on election preparations, while other parts take effect on the 2026 election day.
The order primarily applies to England despite extending legally to both England and Wales.
Interpretation 2.
(1)
In this Order, “the map” means the map marked “Map referred to in the Barnsley (Electoral Changes) Order 2025”, held by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England.
(2)
Where a boundary is shown on the map as running along a road, railway line, footway, watercourse or similar geographical feature, it is to be treated as running along the centre line of the feature.
This section defines key terms. "The map" refers to a specific map detailing the new ward boundaries, held by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England.
It clarifies that boundaries shown to follow geographical features like roads are interpreted as running along their centerlines.
Wards of the borough of Barnsley and number of councillors 3.
(1)
The existing wards of the borough of Barnsley are abolished.
(2)
The borough of Barnsley is divided into the 21 wards listed in the Schedule.
(3)
Each ward comprises the area identified on the map by reference to the name of the ward.
(4)
The number of councillors to be elected for each ward is three.
This section abolishes the existing ward structure of Barnsley and creates 21 new wards, detailed in the schedule.
Each ward's area is defined by the official map, and each will elect three councillors.
Elections of the borough of Barnsley 4.
(1)
Elections of all councillors for each ward of the borough of Barnsley are to be held simultaneously on the ordinary day of election of councillors in England in 2026.
(2)
The councillors holding office for any ward abolished by article 3(1) immediately before the fourth day after the ordinary day of election of councillors in 2026 are to retire on that fourth day, and the newly elected councillors are to come into office on that fourth day.
(3)
Of the councillors elected for a ward in 2026—
(a)
one is to retire on the fourth day after the ordinary day of election of councillors in England in 2027;
(b)
one is to retire on the fourth day after the ordinary day of election of councillors in England in 2028;
(c)
one is to retire on the fourth day after the ordinary day of election of councillors in England in 2030.
(4)
Of the councillors elected for a ward in 2026—
(a)
the first councillor for each ward to retire is to be the councillor elected by the smallest number of votes;
(b)
the second councillor for each ward to retire is to be the councillor elected by the next smallest number of votes.
(5)
In the case of an equality of votes between any persons elected which makes it uncertain which of them is to retire in any year, the person to retire in that year is to be determined by lot.
(6)
If an election of councillors for any ward is not contested, the person to retire in each year is to be determined by lot.
(7)
An election to replace a councillor who is to retire under paragraph (3) is to be held on the ordinary day of election of councillors in England in the year in which the retirement is due to take place, and any newly elected councillor is to come into office on the fourth day after that day.
(8)
Where under this article any question is to be determined by lot, the lot is to be drawn at the next practicable meeting of the council after the question has arisen and the drawing is to be conducted under the direction of the person presiding at the meeting.
This section details the election process.
A full council election occurs in 2026, establishing the new ward councillors.
Subsequent elections will be staggered, with one councillor from each ward retiring in 2027, 2028, and 2030, respectively.
The order of retirement is determined by the number of votes received, with ties broken by lot.
The same applies if an election is uncontested.
Schedule
Wards of the borough of Barnsley
Article 3(2)
1. Athersley & New Lodge
2. Central
3. Cudworth
4. Darfield & Great Houghton
5. Darton East
6. Darton West
7. Dearne North
8. Dearne South
9. Dodworth, Stainborough & Tankersley
10. Hoyland Milton
11. Kingstone
12. Monk Bretton
13. North East
14. Old Town
15. Penistone East
16. Penistone West
17. Rockingham
18. Royston
19. Stairfoot
20. Wombwell
21. Worsbrough
This schedule lists the 21 new wards created for the borough of Barnsley.
(This note is not part of the Order)
This Order makes changes to electoral arrangements for the borough of Barnsley following recommendations made by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England. This Order does not change the boundary of the borough itself.
Article 3 abolishes the existing wards of the borough of Barnsley and replaces them with the 21 new ones listed in the Schedule for the purpose of elections to be held on or after the ordinary day of election of councillors in England in 2026. It also establishes the names and areas of the new electoral wards and the number of councillors for each.
Article 4 makes provision for a whole council election in 2026. Subsequently, the council will revert to the existing system of election by thirds. That article also provides for the order of retirement of councillors in 2027, 2028 and 2030 and the election of their replacements.
A full impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no, or no significant, impact on the private, voluntary or public sectors is foreseen.
This explanatory note summarizes the order's purpose: to change the electoral arrangements in Barnsley based on the Local Government Boundary Commission's recommendations (without changing the borough's overall boundaries).
It highlights the key aspects of Articles 3 and 4 and explains that no significant impact assessment was deemed necessary.