Labour retains control of Barnsley

Council leader Sir Steve Houghton said cost-of-living concerns had been factor on the doorstep during campaigning

Labour has retained overall control over Barnsley Council winning 17 seats, a gain of one seat.

The party took back the Penistone East seat after it had been out of their hands for 26 years.

The ward was taken by John Roberts from Conservative Peter Miller. Labour took 1,533 votes, with the Conservatives in second place on 1,377.

Barnsley council leader, Sir Steve Houghton, said the result would move the borough forward.

"Whether it's the town centre, new jobs, new houses for people, there's a lot to be optimistic about in Barnsley," he said.

Barnsley Labour MP, Stephanie Peacock, said the result was "incredibly encouraging" ahead of the next general election.

The Liberal Democrats took a technically vacant seat in the Kingstone ward, following the resignation of the sitting Labour councillor in December 2023.

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