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× A BOROUGH-WIDE campaign which aims to stamp out online abuse was launched this week in the hope that it can make social media a more friendly place - and to help curb ‘vile’ comments made about councillors.
The No Place For Hate campaign was formally approved at last week’s cabinet meeting after a six-month planning process.
It hopes highlight online abuse and hate comments in the attempt to eradicate hate speech from social media platforms.
The idea was championed following a series of reports made by Barnsley Council employees who revealed the abuse they had received online.
Most notably is former mayor, Coun Pauline Markham, when she was physically assaulted and had her car’s tyres slashed following her work campaigning against off-road bikers.
× ORGANISATIONS across Barnsley have sent out a warning to residents - in particular young people - to not swim in open water following recent deaths.
A man was found in nearby Pugneys Water Park, in Wakefield, and in Crookes Valley Park in Sheffield - and now Barnsley Council, South Yorkshire Police and South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue are appealing for people to stay out of lakes, quarries and reservoirs.
The Chronicle understands youngsters were found swimming again in Stairfoot Quarry this week, despite constant reminders that the water is not safe.
A spokesperson for South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue said: “We know some people love open water swimming.
× LEADERS in Barnsley joined their northern counterparts to launch a fresh campaign to force the government’s hand into ‘levelling up’ the north amid claims of ‘deep-seated inequality’ impacting the borough’s communities.
A report - dubbed Plan for the North - has been backed by more than 40 council leaders and mayors and sets out the scale of the challenge required to deliver on the government’s commitment to boost deprived communities.
Dan Jarvis, South Yorkshire Mayor and Barnsley Central MP, attended Wednesday’s launch.
He told the Chronicle: “If you live in Barnsley, you’re much more likely to be hungrier, poorer and sicker than someone living in Belgravia.
× PLANS to build a new fast-food restaurant near a busy roundabout and have a 230-home estate a stone’s throw away will cause further traffic chaos, according to a fed-up councillor.
Burger King’s bid for the former Black Bull pub site, on Grange Lane, is currently under consideration with Barnsley Council’s planning board.
The housing estate - off Bleachcroft Way - has been approved, leading Coun Andrew Gillis to raise his concerns with the impact both will have on nearby Stairfoot roundabout.
“Most - if not all - vehicles that pass through will have to transverse the roundabout,” he added.