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News » WAB Debate

HS2 - Is it worth it?
Is The HS2 Worth It? A WAB Debate 18
Thursday May 16 2013 HAVE you heard the latest news about the HS2 rail link? Is it worth the money? Have your say on our WAB Debate. The high-speed line, which will eventually run through South Yorkshire, has an estimated £3.3bn funding gap and…
What do you think to the town centre?
Barnsley Town Centre - A WAB Debate 27
Monday May 13 2013 WHAT do you think to Barnsley's town centre? What do you think to its shops? What would you change about it? There's a new questionnaire out for you to express your opinions. Barnsley Voice is made up of a group…
How did the council cope with this winter's weather?
WAB Debate - How Did The Council Cope With This Winter? 5
Friday April 26 2013 COUNCILLOR Roy Miller has thanked council staff for their efforts during this winter's bad weather. Do you think the council coped well? Have your say on our WAB Debate. Gritting began on November 1 2012 and the final grit of…
We Are Barnsley
Ikea Set For Sheffield - A WAB Debate 10
Thursday April 11 2013 LEADING furniture and homeware retailer Ikea is set to open a new store in Sheffield, which is to create around 700 jobs. What more could have been done to lure the investment to Barnsley? Would you have liked to seen…
We Are Barnsley
Half-Mast Flag For Thatcher - Yes Or No? 115
Tuesday April 9 2013 SEVERAL local councils are not flying the flag at half-mast in light of Margaret Thatcher's death. Do you think this is the right call, WABers? Many councils are, but we've been in contact with Barnsley, Sheffield and Doncaster and they're…
What do you think to the hospital?
Would You Recommend Barnsley Hospital? A WAB Debate 23
Thursday April 4 2013 WOULD you recommend Barnsley Hospital? Its patients are being asked whether or not they would recommend it to their friends and family as part of a new initiative. The hospital is taking part in the NHS-wide Friends and Family Test.…
We Are Barnsley
Schools In Barnsley - A WAB Debate 53
Wednesday April 3 2013 What do YOU think of Barnsley's schools? It's always a great point of debate on our Facebook page, so it's a natural choice to be our next topic for this month's WAB Debate. After writing numerous articles on schools' recent…
Are you happy with the Budget?
What Do You Think To The Budget? A WAB Debate! 5
Thursday March 21 2013 WEDNESDAY March 20 was Budget Day. Millions watched as Chancellor George Osborne revealed its details, and the reaction has been mixed in its aftermath. What do YOU think about it? What would you have done differently? Are you happy with…
Barnsley Town Hall
Council Announce Budget Proposals - Have Your Say! 56
Wednesday January 2 2013 FINING drivers who are incorrectly using bus lanes, closing youth clubs and cutting childcare offered in children's centres across the borough are some budget cut proposals being discussed by the council. The council is inviting locals to have their say…
Education and training
What Will The Education Changes Mean To You? A WAB Debate! 15
Wednesday December 5 2012 NEW government rules coming in to force next year will mean that children have to stay in education or training until they are 18. The government is raising the participation age for education - from next year all young people…
Should There Be A Review On Beer Tax? A WAB Debate! 7
Monday November 19 2012 A BARNSLEY MP is backing calls for a review on beer tax in a bid to help out local pubs. Dan Jarvis, MP, says he's been contacted by locals about their worries on the issue - especially since an increase…
What Would Make Your Neighbourhood Feel Safer? 3
Thursday November 1 2012 A CONSULTATION to find out how the public think their own neighbourhoods should be policed closes tomorrow. South Yorkshire Police Authority says the responses will help them formulate their priorities for policing over the next few years. Charles Perryman, chair…
Start Up A Business
What Would Encourage You To Start Up A Business? 7
Monday October 8 2012 FIGURES released last month have branded Barnsley as one of the most 'economically inactive' areas in the UK. Nearly 22 per cent of adults are claiming state benefits compared with 14.8 per cent nationally. And, according to the report, there…
Barnsley Hospital
What Do You Think Of Barnsley Hospital? A WAB Debate 84
Tuesday October 2 2012 Barnsley Hospital's NHS Trust is carrying out a survey to find out what patients think about the care they receive. It is contacting patients who have recently been treated at the hospital to ask for their views on everything from…
Cornish Pasty
The 'Pasty' Tax - What Do You Think? 16
Monday October 1 2012 NEW rules have come in today which will add 20 percent on to the cost of certain takeout foods like pasties and burgers. The so-called "pasty tax" will see VAT added on to food that is kept warm in hot…
What Would Make You Give Up Your Car? 11
Monday September 17 2012 LOCALS will be encouraged to use public transport, walking and cycling as part of World Car Free Day on Saturday. Travel South Yorkshire are promoting the scheme to encourage people to plan more journeys on buses and trains.  SYPTE director…
Barnsley Swimming Stats Decline For Children - Should All Children Be Able To Swim? 13
Monday September 10 2012 STATISTICS revealed by Barnsley Premier Leisure show that one in three children cannot swim the length of a swimming pool. The figures show that the Year 7 children cannot swim 25 metres, and four out of ten children have never…
Are You Fuel Poor? Energy Bills - The WAB Debate 14
Wednesday August 22 2012 STATISTICS have shown that some areas of Barnsley are amongst the worst hit areas in Yorkshire when it comes to people stuggling to pay their energy bills. Michael Dugher, MP for Barnsley East, says according to the fuel poverty figures,…
What Do You Think Would Deter Shoplifters? 6
Tuesday August 21 2012 We Are Barnsley has been following with interest the crackdown on shoplifting in Barnsley. We carried a story that prompted a spectucular response from locals last week - it can be found here if you missed it. Inspector Julie Mitchell…
Should Extended Sunday Shopping Hours Be Permanent? 39
Tuesday August 14 2012 SHOPS were given a temporary extension to their Sunday opening times during the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Many stayed open while as late as 8pm on Sundays, extending trading hours in some areas by up to four hours. The debate…
Do You Let Your Children Play Outdoors? 18
Wednesday August 1 2012 A NEW study has shown that half of parents don't let their children play outside because they are worried about them being kidnapped or injured. The study, released for Playday 2012, says half of parents say they are worried about…
Car Insurance Premiums Rocket For Speeders - What Do You Think? 9
Tuesday July 17 2012 RESEARCHERS have revealed the cost of being caught speeding is causing insurance premiums to rocket. The study - by Road Pilot - shows that drivers who have been hit by fines and penalty points had to pay almost 20 per…
Do You Think It's Hard To Be A Teenager Today? 14
Tuesday July 3 2012 RESEARCHERS claim that Barnsley is the hardest place in Yorkshire and the Humber to be a teenager. Education specialists Ambitious Minds has released a report that outlines the problems that teenagers face when they leave school. It measures education, employment,…
energy bill gas
Are You Being Hit By Rising Energy Costs? WAB Debate 4
Tuesday June 19 2012 A BARNSLEY MP says many local families are struggling to pay their energy bills amid rising costs. Michael Dugher, MP, says the Barnsley East constituency has the 10th highest percentage for people struggling to pay energy bills in Yorkshire and…
Should Low Income College Students Get Free Lunches? 19
Wednesday May 30 2012 Barnsley College is supporting a campaign that would give students who come from low income families free lunches. It comes after an e-petition was set up to appeal to the government for a change in policy - because at the…
Would Plain Cigarette Packaging Deter Youths From Smoking? 9
Monday May 28 2012 STUDENTS from Barnsley College have been working with NHS Barnsley on a project to promote plain packaging on cigarettes. The Government has launched a public consultation on whether the UK should adopt the plain packaging of tobacco products. The aim…
Do You Understand Healthy Eating? WAB Debate! 0
Friday May 25 2012 Do you understand the principles of healthy eating - and if you do how do you pass it on to your children? A recent survey has found that almost half of secondary school teachers claim to see pupils suffering from…
fizzy drink
Should A 'Fat' Tax Be Added To Fizzy Drinks? 17
Wednesday May 16 2012 HEALTH experts are asking the government to put a 20 per cent 'fat tax' on soft drinks and unhealthy food in a bid to cut obesity. Dr Oliver Mytton and Dr Mike Rayner of the Department of Public Health at…
What Do You Think To The 'Immoveable' Block? 106
Monday May 14 2012 A HUGE block with the word 'immoveable' carved into it has been placed on the centre of Kendray Street - blocking it to traffic. The stone-type square appeared overnight and bemused shoppers walking in to the town centre on Monday.…
copper 1 and 2p coin
Should The Penny Coin Be Abolished? 10
Thursday May 3 2012 Should the UK decide it is time to abolish the 1p coin? Canada has already done so - so has Australia and America is considering doing away with the 'cent' (penny equivalent). So should the UK do the same and…
What The Budget Means To You - A WAB GUIDE 9
Wednesday March 21 2012 The government has announced a raft of changes to the budget which will come in from April next year - we know budget stuff can be a bit 'bluergh' so we've done you a no-nonsense WAB Guide to explain it…
graham
Is It A Good Idea To Have Tolls On All Britain's Motorways? 7
Monday March 19 2012 We Are Barnsley's radio DJ Graham Stevens is on air tonight from 6pm with his regular chart and chat show. He will be considering whether its a good idea to have toll charges on all Britain's motorways? It comes after…
MP John Healey
Energy Prices - How Is It Affecting Barnsley? 1
Friday February 17 2012 BARNSLEY MP John Healey has been campaigning for fairer energy prices for months. Following a debate in the House of Commons, he wrote to energy regulator Ofgem calling for them to make gas and electricity prices fairer and clearer. He…
LOVE_NOTES
Love Notes: Leave A Message For Your Valentine! 25
Tuesday January 10 2012 We Are Barnsley is running a 'Love Notes' Radio Show especially for your Valentine messages. All you need to do is comment on this thread and request a song and leave a message for your Valentine and we will read…
Barnsley Town Hall
Where Do You Think The Council Could Save Money? 3
Thursday December 22 2011 BARNSLEY Council has asked residents to voice their opinions on how money could be saved from the budget next year. The council is running an online survey to ask what locals think could make the council save money - by…
nativity christmas
School Nativity: Did You Get Pictures/Video? 2
Friday December 16 2011 Many schools in Barnsley have wound up the school year for 2011 with some festive concerts and nativity plays. But it's been a regular debating point on We Are Barnsley's Facebook wall about whether or not parents are allowed to…
Supermarket Parking Fines: Who Has Had One? 22
Monday December 12 2011 Over the last few weeks on We Are Barnsley, we have noticed an increase in the number of people coming on reporting that they have been issued fines from Barnsley's biggest supermarkets for parking in the car park for longer…
MP John Healey
Do You Think The Internet Needs To Be Safer? 1
Tuesday November 29 2011 A BARNSLEY MP is backing a campaign to get increased internet safety for children. John Healey says statics show that 87 per cent of children use the internet at home and almost half have access in their bedroom. But almost…
Should MOTs Be Every Two Years? 5
Monday November 7 2011 THE government is exploring plans to change the rules for MoT tests which would see them switched to every two years instead of annually. Transport secretary Philip Hammond is considering whether MoT tests for new cards could be changed to…
gavel
Judge Bans 'Love' In Barnsley Court - What Do You Think? 7
Friday October 21 2011 It's hit the headlines this morning that judge in charge of Barnsley Magistrate's Court has banned the traditional term of endearment of 'Love.' Judge John Foster says that men appearing before him should refer to female court staff as ma'am…
Should Barnsley Help Police The Olympics? 1
Monday October 17 2011 Figures released this month show that Barnsley will have to contribute some of our police officers to help out in the Olympic Games next year. It is expected that - for a month - between seven and 14 local officers…
jail crime behind bars
Less Police On Streets - How Would You Tackle Crime? 5
Thursday October 6 2011 FEWER police and council support workers will be patrolling our streets from this time next year thanks to swathing budget cuts. Already, 20 per cent of the council's neighbourhood safety service has been cut - meaning projects like the Neighbourhood…
college grafitti
Barnsley's 'Banksy' - Should It Stay Or Go? 12
Monday October 3 2011 SPECULATION is rife as to who is responsible for the grafitti that has appeared on the new £50 million Barnsley College building over the weekend. The image of two policemen kissing – made famous by Banksy – has been drawn…
motorway
Should Motorway Speeds Be Increased to 80MPH? 11
Friday September 30 2011 THE government has announced plans today to introduce new speed limits on the motorway and increase the legal limit to 80 miles an hour. The Department of Transport is to discuss the proposals because, it claims, the current limit (introduced…
Cigarette Vending Machine Ban - Your Thoughts? 6
Monday September 26 2011 VENDING machines that sell cigarettes are to be banned under new legislation that comes into force on October 1. Barnsley businesses are being told the change in law is to help discourage youngsters from smoking and that the machines have…
Boundary Changes - Are They Necessary? Do You Care? 1
Wednesday September 14 2011 PROPOSALS to change the electoral boundary lines could see some Barnsley constituencies carved up with some places potentially getting represented by someone new. The changes mean that the MP that currently represents you in parliament could no longer be your…
I-Tea and Biscuits? What Gets Techno-Phobes Online? 1
Thursday September 8 2011 Barnsley Council has signed up to take part in a UK-wide drive to encourage people to get online. The Go On Barnsley project will be aimed at older users, those without much money, and those who aren't very tech-savvy in…
Street Art
Debate: Vandalism or Art? 9
Friday August 19 2011 An arts project created by recovering drug addicts and alcoholics has come to town - and this is one of the installations. It appeared on the wall at the side of Mad Mix and it's generating lots of debate -…
Council Debates Cutting Repairs To Its Houses - Your Thoughts? 9
Thursday July 28 2011 Barnsley Council has today launched an investigation to discover what impact it would have on its tenants if it did fewer repairs to its housing stock. The Scrutiny Commission will meet at 2pm today at Central Library, Shambles Street after…
Are there job opportunities in Barnsley? Join our debate! 4
Tuesday July 5 2011 Channel 4's The Fairy Jobmother wants to come to Barnsley to help unemployed people find jobs after an appeal from one WABer. On Friday, someone posted this message on Hayley Taylor's website: "There is a website called We Are Barnsley.…