Example of cross-party working

I am not a councillor, nor am I a member of any political party.

I am, however, interested in the workings of Barnsley Council and the impact its decisions have on the people of Barnsley, my home town.

Having watched the webcast of full council last Thursday, I find it irresponsible that the Liberal Democrat councillors, having put forward a motion on Community Warm Spaces were, in my opinion, seeking to dismiss an amendment, put forward by the Labour Party, which goes far and beyond their motion.

An amendment which promises action and money now to help those individuals, groups and organisations, through times which have been thrust upon everyone but which will be particularly difficult for those most vulnerable.

The Liberal Democrats spoke of cross-party working.

Words are cheap and their words in response to the amendment were, in my opinion, insulting, disparaging and without substance.

The Conservative councillors, however, in supporting the amendment and the £6 million spend committed by Barnsley Labour Council, demonstrated true cross-party working principles at the first time of asking and in doing so put the vulnerable people of Barnsley before party politics.