How Barnsley Residents Can Get Straight Answers Using Freedom of Information
Most people in Barnsley know when something does not feel right.
You see decisions being made, money being spent, projects changing direction, but the actual facts are hard to find. Press releases rarely tell the full story and social media arguments do not give answers.
What many residents do not realise is this.
You already have a legal right to ask the questions yourself.
It is called a Freedom of Information request.
A Freedom of Information request, often shortened to FOI, allows any resident to formally ask Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council for facts, figures, documents and records. You do not need to be a councillor, a journalist or part of any political group.
You do not even need to explain why you are asking.
By law, the council must confirm whether they hold the information and respond within 20 working days.
So what can you ask?
You can ask about things that are already on people’s minds, such as:
How many council homes are empty and for how long
How much money is spent on consultants
How much rent is lost due to empty properties
How much public money has gone into specific projects
How many complaints have been received about issues like damp, traffic or anti social behaviour
What reports, reviews or surveys were used to justify major decisions
If you have ever thought “someone must know this”, the answer is yes, and you are entitled to ask.
Making a Freedom of Information request is straightforward.
First, decide exactly what you want to know. Keep it clear and factual.
For example, instead of asking why something happened, ask for numbers, totals or documents.
Second, write your request in plain English. A simple opening such as
“Please provide the following information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000”
is enough.
Third, submit it online using the council’s official form.
You can do that here:
👉 https://www.barnsley.gov.uk/services/information-and-data/freedom-of-information/
All you need is an email address so they can reply. You do not need to justify your request.
Once submitted, the council has 20 working days to respond. If the answer feels incomplete or unclear, you are entitled to ask for an internal review.
Freedom of Information is not about confrontation. It is about transparency. It is about residents being able to see how decisions are made and how public money is used.
If more people asked clear, calm questions, we would all be better informed.
That is how accountability starts.
Making common sense, common again
One Page FOI Starter Template (Copy and Paste)
Title: Freedom of Information Request
To: Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council
Please provide the following information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
[Insert your first clear question here]
[Insert your second clear question here]
[Insert your third clear question here if needed]
If the information is held in an electronic format, I would prefer it to be provided electronically by email.
If any part of this request is unclear, please advise as required under Section 16 of the Freedom of Information Act.
Kind regards
[Your name]
[Your email address]
Submit your request here:
👉 https://www.barnsley.gov.uk/services/information-and-data/freedom-of-information/
Tip for residents:
Stick to facts, figures, totals and documents. You do not need to explain why you are asking.
Barnsley FOI Question Ideas Page (Residents Can Copy)
Title: FOI Questions Barnsley Residents Can Ask Today
If you are not sure what to ask, here are examples of Freedom of Information questions based on real concerns raised by residents across the borough.
You can copy and adapt any of these.
Housing and Council Homes
Please provide the number of council-owned homes that were empty for more than six months in each year since 2020.
Please provide the total amount of rent lost due to empty council homes for each year since 2020.
Please provide the number of complaints received relating to damp and mould in council properties since 2021.
Spending and Value for Money
Please provide total spending on external consultants for each financial year since 2019.
Please provide a breakdown of spending on town centre regeneration projects including design, consultancy and surveys.
Please provide details of any projects that were redesigned or reworked after initial completion, including costs.
Traffic and Infrastructure
Please provide copies of traffic surveys carried out for [insert road or junction] since 2018.
Please confirm whether road safety audits were completed for [insert scheme] and provide copies if held.
Please provide the total cost of [insert junction or scheme] including any revisions.
Community Safety and Enforcement
Please provide the number of complaints relating to anti social behaviour by ward since 2020.
Please provide the number of enforcement officers employed each year since 2019.
Please provide the number of enforcement actions taken for littering, fly tipping or nuisance behaviour.
Policies and External Advice
Please provide details of spending on consultants specialising in equality, diversity, or inclusion since 2019.
Please provide copies of policies introduced or amended following external consultancy advice.
Please confirm whether value for money assessments were carried out for these services.
Important reminder for residents
You are asking for information, not permission.
You do not need to justify your interest.
You are entitled to factual answers.
That is how transparency works.
