Business boss appointed to oversee £20m Barnsley investment

The investment must by spent in the town centre and some surrounding residential areas

A man has been appointed to oversee how £20m of government funding will be spent in Barnsley over the next decade.

The investment is part of the government's Long-Term plan for Towns announced in October.

The council said Edward Naylor, of Barnsley-based manufacturing business Naylor Industries, would lead the board which will plan how the cash is spent.

The investment must be spent in the town centre and some surrounding residential areas.

Plans have to be drawn up by the summer and the new board is being developed to steer the work.

The money must be focused on three areas: Improving safety and security, high streets, heritage and regeneration, and improving transport and connectivity.

The council said the board will also include other local business leaders, as well as representatives from local charities and community groups.

Edward Naylor will lead the board deciding how the money will be spent

Barnsley Council's leader Sir Steve Houghton said: "Government has decided where this latest investment can be spent, and through this new board we'll make sure that it helps us continue to grow opportunities for local people in Barnsley, particularly in our town centre and in the local communities who live in and around it."

Mr Naylor's company, founded in 1890, employs 400 people and is a leading provider of plastic and concrete products.

He said he had been "delighted" to be leading the board to deliver the investment.

"We have got a tremendous opportunity to bring together local leaders, business people and community groups and to get input from local people to create the best possible plan we can to make the most of this investment for the people of Barnsley."