Public transport a priority to boost trade

Members of Barnsley Council’s cabinet committee have responded to a report produced by the council’s Economy and Skills Scrutiny Commission on growing Barnsley’s economy.

A spokesman for Barnsley Council said yesterday: “In its February meeting, the commission called for action to get more people into employment, saying Barnsley needs better public transport links to help get young people and the long-term unemployed into work.

“It also heard from four local business people about the challenges they faced running their enterprises in Barnsley.”

In a report published yesterday, cabinet members said they “remain committed to both city regions.”

They also said that the council intended to “work closely with South Yorkshire Integrated Transport Authority and public transport providers to review existing and identify possible new routes”, in order to break down the barriers created by public transport in getting people to work.

Cabinet members, however, have advised against giving businesses further relief from empty property business rates, which was one of the recommendations of the commission.

Their report states: “Consideration should be given that if relief against empty property charges is increased or given for a longer period, it could encourage owners to leave properties empty as there would be no cost to them.

“If they don’t get any relief it should encourage them to get tenants.”

The report adds that, from October, new buildings will be exempt from empty property rates for up to 18 months.