I hope you get the chance over Christmas to relax and enjoy time with friends and family. It has been a busy year and I want to thank everyone for their support.

I am grateful to those who are supporting our communities over the festive season, often sacrificing time at home to ensure that our public services are still running.

Christmas can also be difficult for those who are living on or below the bread line. I have recently been working on a draft report (which you can read here) which highlights that one in five children in Barnsley are living in poverty. That’s one in five children living in sub-standard homes, or suffering from chronic health problems, or living with parents who can hardly pay the bills – let alone afford Christmas presents.

No child should have to grow up in such desperate conditions. That is why one of my priorities for the New Year is to find a way to work with local stakeholders to further tackle this important issue. Every child in Barnsley should have the right to grow up in a safe, healthy, supported environment – with the chance to get out there in the world and really make something of themselves.

If you want to get involved and contribute to my work on child poverty, please do get in touch.

A new year means new opportunities and I am determined to seize every one that comes along. I will continue to work very hard for the people of Barnsley, doing all I can to promote and support the town.

I wish you and your family a happy and peaceful Christmas.