The cost of living crisis is hitting people hard in Barnsley and many will increasingly view the Government as a ship without a sail, but there’s lots locally that we can be proud and positive about. This is in no small part down to the hard work of brilliant local people and organisations who, despite hardships, are really delivering for our Town.

Take Barnsley Council. They’ve recently done the double, becoming the first council to win Local Authority of the Year at the esteemed MJ and LGC Awards. This success is, in part, down to the outstanding leadership and vision of those who have overseen the transformation of our Town Centre.

There’s Barnsley College which, thanks to the excellent and dedicated team of staff, has maintained its outstanding Ofsted rating and continues to provide a first-rate education for our young people. Thanks to their passion for education, our students continue to have the support they need to get on in life.

Another great example is Barnsley Hospice. Local people can be secure in the knowledge that if they or their loved ones need specialist care, they would be able to receive it surrounded by compassionate and experienced staff in a caring environment.

There’s also Barnsley Youth Choir. Last weekend’s spellbinding concerts remind us just what a force for good they are and how fortunate our Town is to have them. The work that the volunteers do to encourage and support our young people is inspiring.

There are so many reasons to be proud of the brilliant people and organisations who work in our Town, but we need to keep marching forward, and the next two things on my wish list to propel us onwards are: an ambitious and reforming Labour government, and Barnsley FC competing at the top of the Championship! Fingers crossed!