Agenda item

The Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones, made the following announcements:-

“Colleagues, I would like to provide a brief update on Devolution.

In December, Doncaster residents voted overwhelmingly in favour of pursuing a wider Yorkshire devolution agreement, something that is also supported in this Chamber and by local businesses.  That is now our settled position.

I have always said that Doncaster would consider interim solutions for the Sheffield City Region which would see Devolution in Yorkshire start to develop.  However, we are also clear that Doncaster must be part of discussions for the development of a wider Yorkshire deal.  There must also be a mechanism for both Doncaster and Barnsley to become members of the wider Yorkshire Devolution agreement when it comes into existence.

Before Christmas, the Secretary of State wrote to each of the South Yorkshire Council Leaders with his proposals for a way forward.  I am pleased that in his letter, the Secretary of State acknowledged that some or indeed all of the South Yorkshire Councils should be free to join a wider Yorkshire Devolution agreement.

I have responded to that letter, as have the other Council Leaders.

The four South Yorkshire Council Leaders have all indicated publicly that there is some merit in considering a two-year term of office for a Sheffield City Region Mayor.  This could bring the Sheffield City Region in to line with proposals for development of a wider Yorkshire Devolution deal, with a one term South Yorkshire Mayor either appointed or more likely, elected, from May 2018 until 2020, when a Yorkshire Mayor would be elected.

Unfortunately, the Government has not yet replied to the responses of Council Leaders. That is of course very disappointing, given that the Secretary of State asked for an urgent response to his letter before Christmas.

However, we are pressing the Government to engage with local Councils in South Yorkshire, and indeed those across Yorkshire, to progress these issues with some urgency.

I was also pleased to attend a meeting of Yorkshire Leaders earlier this month where the 17 Yorkshire Councils present confirmed their commitment to Yorkshire Devolution.  Colleagues may have noted that since then, the Leader of Wakefield has indicated his support for wider Yorkshire Devolution.  This now means that every Council in Yorkshire except for Sheffield and Rotherham, is supportive of developing a wider Yorkshire Devolution deal. That is a strong basis for moving forward and I will continue to keep colleagues and residents updated.

I would also like to make an announcement on the Children’s Trust.

I am sure colleagues would like to join me in congratulating our Children’s Services staff at both the Children’s Trust and the Council, in achieving a ‘Good’ Ofsted rating this week.

Everyone in this Chamber knows the history of Children’s Services in Doncaster.  Services were not robust and effective, and our children were being let down.  That is no longer the case.

Most importantly, this inspection and the four monitoring visits which took place in 2017, found that children in Doncaster were safe.  No child was found to be left at risk of significant harm.  Inspectors found that children who needed help and protection received good quality support in a timely and responsive way to keep them safe.

We must of course not rest on our laurels.  It is now more important than ever that we continue to strive for our young people, both maintaining our standards and continuing to improve the quality of our services.

Turning the situation around has not happened overnight.  It has taken a great deal of hard work from many people, so it is also important to recognise and celebrate that achievement.

My thanks go out to everyone who has played their part in improving these vital services for children in Doncaster.”

The Chief Executive, Jo Miller, made the following announcement:-

“I referred at the last meeting to the departure of Simon Wiles, who retired from the Council last week, and is now officially off the payroll. However, I would like to inform Members that his successor, Debbie Hogg, has been appointed as the new Director of Corporate Resources and I would like to thank all Members involved in the process of this appointment. Ms Hogg joins us from Kirklees Council and will take up her post at the beginning of March.”