14/10/2026
🏛️ YOUR LOCAL COUNCILLORS – WORKING TOGETHER FOR OUR COMMUNITIES
📍 HOYLAND MILTON & ROCKINGHAM WARDS
It's been another busy couple of weeks for your local councillors, with plenty happening both in our communities and behind the scenes at Barnsley Council.
From dealing with residents' concerns and supporting community organisations to attending council meetings, civic engagements and working with partner agencies, our focus remains on representing the people of Hoyland Milton and Rockingham.
We thought we'd share a round-up of what the team has been doing.
🤝 RESIDENT CASEWORK – GETTING THINGS DONE
A significant part of our work as councillors involves dealing with concerns raised by residents, and all members of the team continue to work on individual cases.
Cllrs Michael Davies, Rachael Kay, Brian Gregory, Pat Gregory and Chris Denton have been supporting residents and raising issues with council departments and partner organisations.
Some of the matters being dealt with include:
🚗 Parking and road safety – Concerns about pavement parking, obstructed footpaths, double parking and access for emergency and refuse vehicles.
🚧 Highways and roadworks – Following up issues involving Milton Road, Parkside Road and other local highways.
🌳 Environmental concerns – Overgrown vegetation, fencing repairs and neighbourhood maintenance, including work at Oaken Royd Croft.
🏘️ Housing issues – Supporting residents experiencing housing difficulties and liaising with the appropriate departments.
🚔 Antisocial behaviour – Raising concerns and working with relevant agencies to address issues affecting our communities.
Some cases have progressed, while others remain ongoing. We appreciate that residents want answers, and we will continue following up outstanding matters.
🏛️ COUNCIL MEETINGS & REPRESENTING RESIDENTS
Our responsibilities don't stop at ward boundaries. Councillors also serve on committees, attend meetings and contribute to decisions affecting the wider borough.
Cllr Rachael Kay has been particularly busy with her Cabinet responsibilities.
Rachael attended the Member Development Working Party, where discussions focused on the training programme for councillors between now and Christmas.
She is also working with Barnsley Council to help develop an improved online Member Reporting Portal, designed to make it easier for councillors to report, track and follow up residents' concerns.
Rachael also attended the monthly Cabinet Meeting and Cabinet Briefing.
Cllrs Rachael Kay and Michael Davies had a catch-up, where updates were shared on responsibilities, communications and wider community initiatives.
Although much of this work happens away from public view, it plays an important role in improving how councillors represent their communities.
🚔 PACT MEETING – WORKING WITH SOUTH YORKSHIRE POLICE
Cllrs Michael Davies, Pat Gregory and Chris Denton attended the local PACT (Partners and Communities Together) meeting.
These meetings bring together councillors, police officers, partner organisations and members of the community to discuss local priorities.
Issues can include:
🚗 Speeding and parking concerns
🚔 Crime and antisocial behaviour
🏘️ Neighbourhood safety
🌳 Environmental issues
🤝 Community priorities and partnership working
They provide an opportunity to raise concerns directly with the police and work together towards practical solutions.
Cllr Chris Denton attended the meeting before commencing his annual leave and is currently taking a well-earned break.
⛪ SUPPORTING OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS
Community organisations and volunteers play a huge role in making our area what it is, and we're always pleased to support their work.
Cllrs Pat Gregory and Michael Davies visited Faith Aglow Church on Hoyland High Street, formerly the John Knowles Church.
They received a warm welcome, enjoyed refreshments and were given a tour of the restored building, learning more about the church's activities and plans for the future.
The councillors also visited the Hoyland Community Shop and Community Fridge, meeting those involved and discussing the valuable support they provide to residents and families.
It's important that we continue building relationships with organisations working directly in our communities.
🌼 ST PETER'S CHURCH & COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
Cllr Pat Gregory has continued supporting activities at St Peter's Church.
Pat joined children from west meadows school at a daffodil planting event, helping brighten the area for residents to enjoy next spring.
Small community projects like these make a real difference to our neighbourhoods, and we're grateful to everyone who gives their time to organise them.
🎂 CELEBRATING A VERY SPECIAL 100TH BIRTHDAY!
One particularly lovely highlight was the opportunity for Cllrs Pat Gregory and Michael Davies to visit Phyllis, who celebrated her incredible 100th birthday!
It was a pleasure to help mark such a wonderful milestone.
🎉 Happy 100th Birthday, Phyllis, from all of us!
🇬🇧 SUPPORTING THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION & REMEMBRANCE
With Remembrance approaching, our team continues to support the important work of the Royal British Legion.
Cllr Michael Davies has delivered school poppy packs to local schools throughout both wards, helping pupils take part in this year's Poppy Appeal and Remembrance activities.
As Deputy Mayor, Michael and his wife Donna attended the Royal British Legion's Barnsley Branch Fish and Chip Supper on Saturday, representing the Mayor of Barnsley.
It was a lovely evening, with a warm welcome, excellent fish and chips and even a couple of games of bingo!
We would like to thank everyone involved in organising the evening and all those who continue supporting our Armed Forces community.
🎖️ REPRESENTING BARNSLEY AT CIVIC EVENTS
As Deputy Mayor of Barnsley, Cllr Michael Davies, accompanied by Donna, the Deputy Mayoress, attended the Installation of the Master Cutler at Cutlers' Hall in Sheffield on Tuesday 6 October.
The occasion brought together civic representatives and dignitaries from across South Yorkshire.
Civic responsibilities provide an opportunity to represent Barnsley, celebrate our region's heritage and strengthen relationships with neighbouring authorities and organisations.
📋 CONTINUING CASEWORK ACROSS BOTH WARDS
Cllr Brian Gregory has also been busy dealing with residents' enquiries and following up matters with the relevant council departments.
Much of this work takes place through telephone calls, emails, meetings and discussions with officers, and isn't always visible on social media.
All five councillors continue to contribute in different ways, and we recognise that effective representation involves both public engagement and the quieter work carried out behind the scenes.
📅 OUR NEXT COUNCILLOR SURGERIES
We want residents to know that we're accessible and available to listen.
Our next surgeries are:
🔴 HOYLAND MILTON WARD
📅 Saturday 24 October 2026
⏰ 10am – 12pm
📍 Hoyland Library
🔴 ROCKINGHAM WARD
📅 Thursday 29 October 2026
⏰ 11:30am – 1:30pm
📍 Birdwell Methodist Church
Whether you have a housing concern, highways issue, neighbourhood problem or simply want to discuss something affecting your community, you're welcome to come along.
You don't have to wait for a surgery either. Residents can contact their local councillors throughout the month.
❤️ WORKING TOGETHER FOR OUR COMMUNITIES
As councillors representing Hoyland Milton and Rockingham, we each have different responsibilities, commitments and areas of work, but we share the same aim: to represent residents, support our communities and help make our area a better place to live.
Some of our work involves attending meetings and making decisions. Other times it's a phone call, chasing up an outstanding issue, visiting a community organisation or simply taking the time to listen.
We won't always agree on everything, and not every problem can be resolved overnight, but we believe that by working together, sharing information and supporting one another, we can achieve more for our communities.
We'd also like to thank the many volunteers, community groups, council officers, local businesses and residents who continue to work alongside us.
YOUR LOCAL COUNCILLOR TEAM
🔴 Cllr Michael Davies – Hoyland Milton
🔴 Cllr Rachael Kay – Hoyland Milton
🔴 Cllr Brian Gregory – Hoyland Milton
🔴 Cllr Pat Gregory – Rockingham
🔴 Cllr Chris Denton – Rockingham
Five councillors, two wards, one shared commitment to our communities. ❤️
