Eric Illsley

Barnsley Central is one of three constituencies which comprise the Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Area. After the recent Boundary changes the three constituencies will see major alterations but these do not take effect until the next General Election. Barnsley Central covers the areas of the Town Centre, Monk Bretton, Cudworth, Ardsley, Lundwood, Kendray, Royston, Carlton, Smithies, New Lodge, Athersley, Wilthorpe, and Pogmoor. However, the local Labour Party boundaries are already changed.
Located to the east of the Pennines and just north of Sheffield, Barnsley is a former mining community which suffered as a consequence of the run down of that industry. Other industries include glass and textiles. Barnsley is currently an European Objective One area which means it qualifies for financial assistance in view of its poor economic performance. However that scheme is due to expire by the end of this year and South Yorkshire MP's are currently looking at the proposed successor scheme which is of course affected by the recent enlargement of the European Union itself.
Although Regeneration is still a priority in Barnsley the town's economic prospects have improved dramatically over the last two or three years. The Remaking Barnsley Project will see the complete re-development of the town centre and work on building the new Transport Interchange is well underway.
The re-development of the Civic Hall has begun which will provide an Arts Centre and Theatre facilities and work has also started on the Digital Media Centre which will be a start up facility for new Companies in the Digital Sector. This is an exiting area and a priority for Yorkshire Forward. Digital Industries are flourishing in the South Yorkshire Area and we are at the absolute cutting edge of Digital Technology throughout the region.
On top of this the Town will see the rebuilding of nearly all our schools over the next few years. The town has benefited under the Government's "Building Schools for the Future " programme which will see a £300 million project to re-build every secondary school and an Academy. These schools will be known as Adult Learning Centres and will be open from early morning to late at night to benefit the whole of their communities.
This is an exciting time for Barnsley and also one of anticipation. Hopefully the next few years will see a huge transformation of the area and with it the increased prosperity which we are all working towards.