Decision details

A.     Questions on Notice

 

Q.   The following Question on Notice, had been received from Councillor Nick Allen:-

 

“How many Officers from DMBC contributed to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government’s technical consultation on the assessment of Local Authorities' relative needs and resources? Do you support the contributions of those Officers and to what extent did they ensure the Fair Funding Review: 'considers the type of adjustment that will be made to an authority’s relative needs assessment to take account of the relative resources available to them to fund local services'?  These are significant issues which have recently been misrepresented, for political gain, despite some clear economic benefits for Doncaster.”

 

A.       The Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones, gave the following response:-

 

“The Council provided a full response to the Government consultation, ‘A review of local authorities’ relative needs and resources’, and also the ‘Business Rates Retention Reform’ consultation that ran alongside it.  I am happy to share the full response if needed.  Our response to the Adult Social Care section indicated that though we felt the proposed cost drivers were not unreasonable, there were changes that we would like to see.  We also said we would need to see a more detailed technical paper that the Government committed to publishing, which has yet to be published.  The full impact of the Government’s Fair Funding Review and Business Rates Retention Reforms, will not be known until the results are published in full.  At that point, we will assess the impact on Doncaster Council.

 

It was the Conservative led LGA that leaked the initial figures in regards to the ‘Fair Funding Review’ which identified that Doncaster could lose £5 million per year through the Adult Social Care Element of the review.  It is also worth bearing in mind that in 2019, ‘Centre for Cities’ reported that Doncaster was the third hardest hit area in the country from austerity.

 

I do support the contributions of Officers.  We share the views of the LGA, SIGOMA and many others that, unless there is an adequate level of funding available for the services that Local Authorities provide, then the Fair Funding Review and by extension, Local Authorities, will be doomed to failure.”

 

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 15.7, Councillor Nick Allen asked the following supplementary question:-

 

Q.   “With regard to the last paragraph in your response, did Officers make it clear at the time that they were contributing to the review, because their evidence became the whole library used in the review.  If they had made that point, then surely, it would have been taken in to account?”

 

A.  The Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones, gave the following response:-

 

“I will read out the first general comment that went back to the Government; ‘We welcome the opportunity to respond to this consultation and include some general comments in addition to responses to the specific questions asked in the consultation.  The most critical element to the success of the review of Local Authorities relative to the needs and resources, is not mentioned in the consultation at all, namely, the overall quantum of funding available.  We share the view of the LGA, SIGOMA and many others, that unless there is an adequate level of funding available for the services that Local Authorities provide, then this review and by extension, Local Authorities, will be doomed’.  If you want a full copy of our response, I would be happy to provide it to you.”

 

Q.  The following Question on Notice, had been received from Councillor Jane Cox:-

 

“Doncaster Council correctly declared a climate emergency in September, 2019.  Does the Mayor feel that the current Tree Policy is robust and sufficient to move the Borough forward given the recent environmental damage in and around Doncaster.  The planting of trees is vital and with historic issues around the Town such as Mill Lane in Warmsworth and Middlefield Road in Bessacarr, are very much in the headlines.  As was the failure to plant trees properly in Finningley Ward.  Is our declaration of a climate emergency consistent with the Town’s Tree Policy and what issues do you feel should be addressed in the near future?”

 

A.       The Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones, gave the following response:-

 

“You are right to make the connection between our declaration of a climate emergency and the Town’s Tree Policy.

 

While Doncaster’s Tree Policy makes reference to the value of trees in relation to climate mitigation and adaptation, this is not the primary aim of the policy.  The policy’s principle aim is to promote the health of the Council’s existing tree and woodland assets, increasing tree cover within existing resource constraints.

 

The policy was indeed drawn up before Doncaster’s declaration of a climate and biodiversity emergency.  Since that declaration, Doncaster’s Climate Commission is examining strategies towards net zero greenhouse gases at least within the Government’s 2050 target, if not before.  The Government’s advisors, the Committee on Climate Change, are advocating an increase woodland cover in the UK from 13% to a minimum of 17% by 2050, and ideally, to 19% to ensure the country achieves net zero carbon emissions.  This would equate to roughly 1.5 million hectares of additional woodland across the UK.

 

Surveying completed in 2019, indicated that Doncaster has 12.62% tree canopy cover, and in carbon accounting terms, our trees are storing over 1,900 kilo tonnes of CO2 and a further 77 kilo tonnes annually.

 

If further woodland was created to lift Doncaster to 17% canopy cover, this could require nearly 2,500 additional hectares.  This is a scale well beyond the intention and capacity of the existing Tree Policy, as it is not deliverable within Doncaster Council’s current land holdings or arboriculture workforce.  It would involve multiple public, community and private landowners with a variety of funding mechanisms such as the Woodland Carbon Fund, other carbon offsetting arrangements or community funding schemes.  Doncaster Council would of course be looking to maximise its contribution and is currently reviewing its land holdings for appropriate tree planting and habitat recovery which includes the protection of our nationally important peatlands, where tree planting should not take place.

 

The Climate Commission is considering a number of topics and will report its recommendations in the coming months.  These recommendations associated with trees, will be factored into the ‘Woodland, Trees and Open Space’ element of the Environment Strategy.  The strategy will be a partnership strategy which will have the backing and contributions of not just the Council, but a range of partners across the Borough.

 

In addition, the Council’s strategic role as a ‘place shaper’, means that we will take a lead in promoting best practices amongst other partners and businesses in tree planting, and habitat recovery for climate change mitigation and adaptation.  The Council will have a significant lever with the introduction of the biodiversity net gain provisions within the Government’s Environment Bill.  In the long run, the introduction of Environmental Land Management Schemes via the Agriculture Bill, will also create opportunities.”

 

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 15.7, Councillor Cox asked the following supplementary question:-

 

Q.   “The trees I alluded to in my question in Finningley Ward, were the new ones on Great Yorkshire Way.  Many of them have either died or are in very bad condition. Will they be replaced?”

 

A.       The Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones, gave the following response:-

 

“They will be removed and we will look at this and ensure they are replaced.  Many different partners fund them and we have asked for a review of the Tree Policy.  The review will consider the Tree Policy against the context of our climate and biodiversity emergency.  This group will include residents and tree specialists, to ensure the approach is in line with best practice.  The findings of this work will feed into the Climate Commission.”

 

B.     Questions Without Notice

 

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 15.2, the Chair of Council sought questions from Elected Members during Question Time.

 

A.       Questions to the Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones

 

There were no questions put to the Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones.

 

B.       Questions to the Deputy Mayor, Councillor Glyn Jones, Cabinet Member for Housing and Equalities

 

Q    Councillor Tosh McDonald asked the following question:-

 

“I speak for all my Town Ward Councillors and would like to talk about the aftermath of the Grenfell Tower.  When I was working in London at that point, I visited the tower and it really was a terrible tragedy.  A number of promises were made by the Government that all other buildings across the country, would be made safe in relation to the cladding, and I would like to congratulate you on the work done in Doncaster, in ensuring that the cladding was safe, and sprinklers installed.  We have led by example in Doncaster and took the initiative and done it, and ensured that everyone was safe.  Recently, at Hatfield House on Balby Bridge, there was a fire, but as a result of the sprinklers installed, everyone was ok.  However, many places in the country would have fallen short, and have not learnt their lessons.  Should we in Doncaster, not hold ourselves up as a beacon to other Authorities as to what they should be doing?”

 

A.     The Deputy Mayor, Councillor Glyn Jones, Cabinet Member for Housing and Equalities, gave the following response:-

 

“Definitely.  You are right in what have said.  All nine high-rise blocks of flats in Doncaster have had safety works carried out and we are consistently reviewing what has been done, and what still needs to be done.  This has been funded through our Capital Programme and we have gone out there and got it done, regardless of the consequences.  These are people’s lives. The cost of this work was £5.3 million with funding received from South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue, but the contribution from the Government for anything other than the removal of the cladding was nil.  The safety of our tenants is our primary concern.  Recently, an article in the Fire Safety Matters Magazine outlined the work we have done.  As a result of this work, the fire in Hatfield House was not another tragedy like Grenfell.  You can not put a price on that.”

 

C.       Questions to Councillor Nigel Ball, Cabinet Member for Public Health, Leisure and Culture

 

Q.   Councillor Tina Reid asked the following question:-

 

“I would like to ask a question regarding the air quality in Edlington and wondered, as it is now a major HGV route, if there are any noticeable differences in levels of people suffering with asthma or COPD?”

 

A.     Councillor Nigel Ball, Cabinet Member for Public Health, Leisure and Culture, gave the following response:-

 

“As you are aware, we have a number of air quality monitoring systems across the Borough and there is one in Warmsworth.  I do not have this data to hand, but I will ask Dr. Rupert Suckling to forward the information to you.”

 

D.       Questions to Councillor Joe Blackham, Cabinet Member for Highways, Street Scene and Trading Services

 

In the absence of Joe Blackham, Cabinet Member for Highways, Streetscene and Trading Services, the Chair of Council informed Members that any questions for Councillor Blackham should be submitted to the Executive Office after the meeting, and a response would be provided.

 

E.       Questions to Councillor Rachael Blake, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care

 

There were no questions put to Councillor Rachael Blake, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care.

 

F.       Questions to Councillor Nuala Fennelly, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Schools

 

There were no questions put to Councillor Nuala Fennelly, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Schools.

 

G.      Questions to Councillor Chris McGuinness, Cabinet Member for Communities, Voluntary Sector and the Environment

 

Q.   Councillor Lani-Mae Ball asked the following question:-

 

“Do you think that following on from the floods of the 7th and 8th November, that it is imperative that the Government thank the communities, Officers, volunteers and emergency services involved in the recovery?  We were promised that a review would be undertaken in the New Year, but still there is no clear direction.”

 

A.     Councillor Chris McGuinness gave the following response:-

 

“There has been an incredible amount of work done by all agencies; the Council, Police, Environment Agency, South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue and St Leger Homes, which still continues now.  The Environment Agency remains on high alert and 120 staff remain on standby.  This week is the first time that there has been no significant amount of rain in a long time.  I would like to recognise the efforts of all the communities and acknowledge all the work that has been done in working towards getting people back into their homes.  We were promised a Summit by the end of January, but there will not be one until at least the end of March.  If you look, you can see the vast difference between the money spent on flood defences in the North as opposed to the South.  We have a very complex system of water drainage.  There is a tidal river, two water companies owning assets, the EA, Coal Authority, three Drainage Boards and the Council which also has responsibilities.  There are 130 pumps in Doncaster and they are connected by countless drains and dykes all across the Borough, which is miles of banks which need maintaining.  All this has been sitting there for hundreds of years and needs to be maintained, and the Government needs to review how they fund it and to do so quickly.  I will contact the three Doncaster MPs and ask why nothing still has not been done about this issue.  The Government needs to carry out a review as soon as possible.”

 

Q.   Councillor Ian Pearson asked the following question:-

 

“At the last Planning Committee, the arborist Officer informed us that a tree had been taken down as it was planted on a water table, but that it was not within his remit to explain why there was too much water in this area for tree planting.  Should we not have an expert on this area, especially when you take into account that most of the area around Doncaster would be under water if the ditches introduced by the Dutch, had not been built?  We need a better understanding of water table management.”

 

A.     Councillor Chris McGuinness gave the following response:-

 

“This is part of the reason why we need a Yorkshire Flood Summit.  Areas have been given Regional Flood Levy Money to address some issues, but it needs a review to look at this properly.”

 

H.       Questions to Councillor Bill Mordue, Cabinet Member for Business, Skills and Economic Development

 

There were no questions put to Councillor Bill Mordue, Cabinet Member for Business, Skills and Economic Development.

 

I.         Questions to Councillor Jane Nightingale, Cabinet Member for Customer and Corporate Services

 

In the absence of Jane Nightingale, Cabinet Member for Customer and Corporate Services, the Chair of Council informed Members that any questions for Councillor Nightingale should be submitted to the Executive Office after the meeting, and a response would be provided.

 

J.        Questions to Councillor Austen White, Chair of the Audit Committee

 

There were no questions put to Councillor Austen White, Chair of the Audit Committee.

 

K.       Questions to Councillor Phil Cole, Chair of the Elections and Democratic Structures Committee

 

There were no questions put to Councillor Phil Cole, Chair of the Elections and Democratic Structures Committee.

 

L.        Questions to Councillor Rachael Blake, Chair of the Health and Wellbeing Board

 

There were no questions put to Councillor Blake, Chair of the Health and Wellbeing Board.

 

M.      Questions to Councillor Jane Kidd, Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee

 

There were no questions put to Councillor Jane Kidd, Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee.