Barnsley welcomed nine new companies and 435 private sector jobs between April and June

Between April and June this year 435 private sector jobs were created in Barnsley, with 57% linked to the growth of large companies supported by Enterprising Barnsley.

In the same quarter, nine companies relocated to Barnsley, creating 14 new jobs and securing more than £14m of private sector investment.

These findings are included in Barnsley Council’s new Corporate Plan Performance Report, which measures progress in the first quarter of 2016/17 (April - June) against the council’s priorities.

The report also reveals that 170 new-build homes were completed between April and June, with work starting on a further 220.

Other key findings relating to the borough’s economic strength from the quarter 1 performance report shows that in the first quarter, town centre retail occupancy levels remained above target at 92% (530 out of 573 retail units occupied).

In addition, 59 apprenticeships within the council, equal to 3.2% of its workforce, and recruitment will take place in the autumn to recruit school leavers.

Cllr Alan Gardiner, cabinet spokesperson for Corporate Services, said: “This quarter one report forms part of a larger framework for measuring the achievement of our three key priorities.

“Cabinet’s role is to scrutinise and, where appropriate, challenge the findings of these regular performance reports. I would urge all residents, businesses and visitors to our borough to view the report so they, too, can hold the council and its partners to account over the issues which interest them.“