Agenda and minutes

No declarations of interest were made at the meeting.

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Council Meeting held on 30th July, 2015, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member, be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

No announcements were made at the meeting.

(a)  Question from Mr. D. Wright, 15 Chantry Close, Cantley, Doncaster, DN4 6RX, to the Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones:-

“Doncaster Council's Constitution allows for 'Question Time' sessions for public questions at Council meetings.

Will the Mayor agree to change the Constitution to also allow 'Motions to Doncaster Council' sessions at Doncaster Council meetings?  The procedures could be similar to the 'Question Time' sessions.

This will enable Doncaster residents to bring forward positive suggestions directly to the Mayor in front of Doncaster Councillors and to members of the public both in the Council Chamber and by the new audio visual recordings at home.”

A.     Question from Mr. D. Wright, 15 Chantry Close, Cantley, Doncaster, DN4 6RX, to the Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones:-

“Doncaster Council's Constitution allows for 'Question Time' sessions for public questions at Council meetings.

Will the Mayor agree to change the Constitution to also allow 'Motions to Doncaster Council' sessions at Doncaster Council meetings?  The procedures could be similar to the 'Question Time' sessions.

This will enable Doncaster residents to bring forward positive suggestions directly to the Mayor in front of Doncaster Councillors and to members of the public both in the Council Chamber and by the new audio visual recordings at home.”

The Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones, gave the following reply:-

“Thank you for your question Mr. Wright.

I should make clear from the start that any decision on whether to allow members of the public to submit Motions to Full Council meetings is not within my power as Mayor. Changes to the Council’s Constitution rest with Full Council and are not within my remit.

I am certainly committed to open and transparent Local Government where members of the public are able to engage with their representatives.  I am sure that my colleagues in the Chamber today feel the same.

There are of course numerous ways in which members of the public can currently raise issues in a public forum. Regular meetings of Full Council are held where members of the public can submit a question to the Mayor, any Cabinet Member or the Chair of a Regulatory Committee, in the way that you have done today.  There are also opportunities to ask a question of myself and my Cabinet at our fortnightly Cabinet meetings.

In addition to these formal meetings, there are also a wide range of other opportunities for members of the public to ask questions or raise issues with me, either by arranging a one-to-one meeting at one of my monthly Meet the Mayor events, by email or in writing.

In addition, Overview and Scrutiny will accept representations from local residents. There is also provision in the Constitution that requires Council to consider and debate Petitions submitted by the public, should they receive sufficient levels of support.

I believe that the current arrangements are wide ranging and work well.  I am happy to receive communications from the residents of Doncaster and help out whenever I can, and I know Ward Councillors are too.

My personal view, particularly given the existing wide ranging opportunities for public engagement, is that submitting Council Motions is a function that should remain the responsibility of elected representatives.

Members of the public can of course approach their Local Ward Members or indeed any Councillor, and ask them to consider putting forward a Motion to Full Council. I think that this would be the right approach to take.  Once again, thank you for your suggestion.”

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 13.10, Mr. Wright asked the Mayor, the following supplementary question:-

“This is an unsatisfactory arrangement.  I have only been  ...  view the full minutes text for item 40.

The Council considered a report, presented by the Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones, which sought Members approval of a new statutory, strategic Youth Offending Service Plan (YOSP) for 2015-2016 for the Youth Offending Service (YOS).

It was reported that this was the first year that the YOS had presented the Youth Justice Plan (YJP) as part of the new Doncaster Children’s Services Trust.  Since the plan had started its progress through the approval process within the Council, it had undergone one of the first full joint inspections by representatives from all the National Inspection units.  The service was now better equipped to work with young people who entered the criminal justice system.

Members noted that Doncaster YOS now concentrated on managing the behaviour of young people who had entered the criminal justice system.  Youth Justice had undergone many changes in the last few years and continued to do so.  The inspection highlighted that Doncaster’s work with Wetherby, particularly around accommodation and Employment, Training and Education, (ETE) was very good and well advanced.  Doncaster was now part of the West and South Yorkshire Consortium which aimed to improve the custodial transitions for young people.  The final Inspection report had not yet been received, but initial feedback had shown that there were some areas of weakness and development, particularly around the YOS Management Board and the strategic direction and support it gave.  However, the Mayor was pleased to report that the service had shown itself to have staff who worked hard for the young people of Doncaster and provided good support and management.

It was also reported that the YJP identified areas which could be strengthened to provide a better service which included a better use of volunteers, work to further improve the safeguarding of young people and work to reduce the custodial rates in Doncaster for young people between 10 and 18 years old.  Doncaster had performed well during the previous year; reducing the number of young people going to custody from 43 (2013/14) to 19 (2014/15) and that the indications so far this year showed that this number was now stable and was around national average.

The YOS was fully incorporated into Doncaster’s Children’s Trust.  The Head of Service now reported directly to the Chief Operating Officer and plans were in hand to further develop the responsibilities of the role, introducing a new Prevention Team.  This meant that the emphasis on delivery was now stronger in the area of risk and vulnerability management, and safeguarding of young people.

The report highlighted the areas where the YOS would face it’s biggest challenges.  It outlined that even though the YOS budget had been slightly reduced from the last financial year, it was expected that further reductions were possible which would increase the difficulty faced by YOS to continue to meet the challenges around remand costs and young people sent to custody alongside additional non-core services not related to national indicators.  Doncaster’s performance against national indicators compared well with regional and national figures.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 41.

The Council received a report, presented by the Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones, which provided an update on the Sheffield City Region (SCR) Devolution Deal submitted to Government.

It was reported on the 21st July, 2015, the Chancellor announced that City Regions that wished to agree a devolution deal in return for a Mayor by the spending review, would need to submit formal, fiscally-neutral proposals and an agreed geography to the Treasury by 4th September, 2015.  The SCR submitted its devolution proposal, a copy of which was appended to the report, in response to this deadline.  The devolution proposal contained thirty ‘asks’ across the following six themes:-

·         An integrated 21st Century Transport Network;

·         A world leading area for innovation, advanced manufacturing and business growth;

·         More people learning, earning, in Apprenticeships and higher skilled employment;

·         Better use of publicly owned assets;

·         A stable, long-term financial settlement that puts SCR in control of its own destiny; and

·         Greater accountability  of national programmes to the city region

Members noted that the deal represented a significant opportunity to take more control locally for decisions that affected the economy.  Negotiations with Government were ongoing, but Doncaster was heavily involved and was driving the agenda for skills and revised governance.  Whilst the Mayor and City Region Leaders believed that the current City Region governance structures were appropriate for delivering the devolution deal, the Government was clear that without a City Region Mayor, additional devolved powers and funding would not be possible.

In conclusion, it was noted that negotiations would inform and shape the governance arrangements supporting the deal, and that an announcement was expected as part of the Autumn Statement, set for 25th November, 2015.

Following the presentation of the report, Members were afforded the opportunity to comment on the report.

RESOLVED that

(1)      the Sheffield City Region devolution submission be noted; and

(2)     the involvement of the Chief Executive, Mayor of Doncaster and Senior Officers in the negotiation of devolution “asks” with Government, be noted.

The Council considered a report which sought the appointment for a replacement Member and Vice-Chair to serve on the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee as a consequence of the former Vice-Chair, Councillor Nightingale, being appointed as a Cabinet Member.

Following the presentation of the report, Members were afforded the opportunity to comment on the report.

Subsequently, upon seeking a nomination, Councillor Charlie Hogarth was nominated to serve on the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee as a replacement for Councillor Jane Nightingale.

On being put to the meeting, the Motion to appoint Councillor Charlie Hogarth to serve on the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee for the remaining 2015/16 Municipal Year, was declared CARRIED.

The following nominations were then proposed for the appointment of Vice-Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee:-

Nominations

Councillor Charlie Hogarth

Councillor R. Allan Jones

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 21.6, the two nominations were put to the meeting in alphabetical order of surname, the result of the vote being as follows:-

For Councillor Charlie Hogarth - 34

For Councillor R. Allan Jones - 11

On being put to the meeting, the Motion to appoint Councillor Charlie Hogarth as Vice-Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee for the remaining 2015/16 Municipal Year, was declared CARRIED.

In addition, it was Moved and Seconded that Councillor Charlie Hogarth be removed from the Regeneration and Housing Overview and Scrutiny Panel and be replaced by Councillor Susan Knowles.

On being put to the meeting, the Motion to appoint Councillor Susan Knowles on the Regeneration and Housing Overview and Scrutiny Panel, to replace Councillor Charlie Hogarth, was declared CARRIED.

RESOLVED that

(1)      Councillor Charlie Hogarth be appointed to serve on the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee for the remaining 2015/16 Municipal Year;

(2)      Councillor Charlie Hogarth be appointed as Vice-Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee for the remaining 2015/16 Municipal Year; and

(3)      Councillor Susan Knowles be appointed to the Regeneration and Housing Overview and Scrutiny Panel, to replace Councillor Charlie Hogarth.

Further to the above Minute, the Council considered a report which provided an update on arrangements for the audio visual recording of future Council meetings.

It was reported that at its meeting on 22nd May, 2015, Council agreed to progress with arrangements for the audio visual recording of Council meetings. Following this meeting, further discussions had taken place with the current provider of the Council’s Chamber Voting and Conference system regarding installation of the equipment, and training to meet the Council’s requirements.  Following consideration being given to the process of publishing the recordings once they had been captured digitally, it appeared that the most cost effective option was to publish the recordings on the Council’s Website and upload the recordings onto the Council’s YouTube Channel.

The report pointed out that recordings would be published without any editing to reflect a true record of the meeting, but there could be occasions where editing was required; an example of which being if exempt information was inadvertently released.

It was noted that once the equipment had been procured and installed, training would be undertaken by Officers on the use of the equipment and the process for downloading recordings to the YouTube Channel.  Liaison would also take place with Political Groups prior to implementation, to enable them to consider issues around conduct and the implications of being filmed.

In conclusion, it was anticipated that the necessary arrangements would be in place for the Council meeting scheduled on 26th November.

Following the presentation of the report, Members were afforded the opportunity to comment on the report.

Councillor Jonathan Wood suggested that Council Procedure Rules be amended to allow public questions to be read out at the meeting rather than being taken as read, which would enable any citizens of Doncaster who wished to view proceedings, to hear the question which had been submitted.

RESOLVED that

(1)      the current position in respect of arrangements for the audio visual recording of Council meetings, be noted; and

(2)      the implementation date of 24th November, 2015, for the audio visual recording of future Council meetings, be noted.

“The Highways England Pinch Point Programme was first outlined in the 2011 Autumn Statement with a budget of £200 million and expanded by a further £100 million in the 2012 Autumn Statement.  This programme addressed 19 pinch points across Yorkshire and the North East which required improvement to keep traffic flowing through the road network. Most of these projects have been completed successfully.  However, the A1 (M) in South Yorkshire remains untouched other than minor improvements to Junction 36.

This council calls upon the Chancellor of the Exchequer and Highways England to include improvements to the A1(M) in South Yorkshire in the 2015 Autumn Statement and this council will give cross-party commitment to lobby for improvements to this vital transport artery at all appropriate opportunities.”

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 16.1, a Motion was submitted by Councillor James Hart and Seconded by Councillor Nick Allen:-

“The Highways England Pinch Point Programme was first outlined in the 2011 Autumn Statement with a budget of £200 million and expanded by a further £100 million in the 2012 Autumn Statement.  This programme addressed 19 pinch points across Yorkshire and the North East which required improvement to keep traffic flowing through the road network. Most of these projects have been completed successfully.  However, the A1(M) in South Yorkshire remains untouched other than minor improvements to Junction 36.

This Council calls upon the Chancellor of the Exchequer and Highways England to include improvements to the A1(M) in South Yorkshire in the 2015 Autumn Statement and this council will give cross-party commitment to lobby for improvements to this vital transport artery at all appropriate opportunities.”

The Chair afforded all Members in the Chamber, the opportunity to speak on the Motion.

A vote was taken on the Motion proposed by Councillor James Hart, which was declared as follows:-

For - 46

Against - 0

Abstentions - 0

On being put to the meeting, the Motion was declared CARRIED.

RESOLVED that the Highways England Pinch Point Programme was first outlined in the 2011 Autumn Statement with a budget of £200 million and expanded by a further £100 million in the 2012 Autumn Statement.  This programme addressed 19 pinch points across Yorkshire and the North East which required improvement to keep traffic flowing through the road network. Most of these projects have been completed successfully.  However, the A1(M) in South Yorkshire remains untouched other than minor improvements to Junction 36.

This Council calls upon the Chancellor of the Exchequer and Highways England to include improvements to the A1(M) in South Yorkshire in the 2015 Autumn Statement and this council will give cross-party commitment to lobby for improvements to this vital transport artery at all appropriate opportunities.

“In July this year the Chancellor announced a change to the rent formula which will apply to all social housing rents, including affordable and social rents.  This follows a 60 per cent cut in the affordable housing grant implemented during the previous coalition government.

The Office for Budget Responsibility has suggested that around 14,000 fewer ‘affordable homes’ will be built as a result of the change in the rent regime.

At a time when more affordable housing is required in Doncaster, and across the country, this Council believes the Government’s action represents a backwards step in achieving the right balance of housing provision needed to support local residents.”

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 16.1, a Motion was submitted by Councillor Jane Nightingale and Seconded by Councillor Pat Knight:-

“In July this year, the Chancellor announced a change to the rent formula which will apply to all social housing rents, including affordable and social rents.  This follows a 60 per cent cut in the affordable housing grant implemented during the previous coalition Government.

The Office for Budget Responsibility has suggested that around 14,000 fewer ‘affordable homes’ will be built as a result of the change in the rent regime.

At a time when more affordable housing is required in Doncaster and across the country, this Council believes the Government’s action represents a backwards step in achieving the right balance of housing provision needed to support local residents.”

The Chair afforded all Members in the Chamber, the opportunity to speak on the Motion.

An amendment to the Motion was Moved by Councillor Phil Cole and Seconded by Councillor Kevin Rodgers, in that the Motion be amended to read as follows:-

“In July this year, the Chancellor announced a change to the rent formula which will apply to all social housing rents, including affordable and social rents.  This follows a 60 per cent cut in the affordable housing grant implemented during the previous coalition Government.

The Office for Budget Responsibility has suggested that around 14,000 fewer ‘affordable homes’ will be built as a result of the change in the rent regime.

At a time when more affordable housing is required in Doncaster and across the country, this Council believes the Government’s actions represents a backwards step in achieving the right balance of housing provision needed to support local residents.

This Council therefore calls on the Government to provide additional funding for affordable housing so that new homes can be built to meet local and national demand.”

On being put to the meeting, the amendment to the Motion proposed by Councillor Phil Cole was declared CARRIED.

The Chair afforded all Members in the Chamber, the opportunity to speak on the Substantive Motion.

An amendment to the Substantive Motion was Moved by Councillor John Cooke and Seconded by Councillor Sean Gibbons, in that the penultimate paragraph be amended to read as follows:-

“At a time when more social and affordable housing is required in Doncaster, and across the country, this Council believes the Government’s actions represents a backwards step in achieving the right balance of housing provision needed to support local residents.”

A vote was taken on the amendment proposed by Councillor John Cooke, which was declared as follows:-

For - 37

Against - 8

Abstain - 0

On being put to the meeting, the amendment to the Substantive Motion proposed by Councillor John Cooke was declared CARRIED.

A vote was then taken on the Substantive Motion proposed by Councillor Jane Nightingale, which was declared as follows:-

For - 37

Against - 8

Abstain - 0

On being put to the meeting, the Substantive Motion was declared CARRIED.

RESOLVED that in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 46.

(i)               Question on Notice to the Executive:-

None received for this meeting.

(ii)             Questions without Notice to the Executive and the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee, Councillor John Mounsey.

A.      Questions on Notice

No questions on Notice from Elected Members, had been received for this meeting.

B.      Questions Without Notice

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 15.2, the Chair accepted the following questions from Elected Members during ‘Question Time’:-

A.Questions to Ros Jones, Mayor of Doncaster

Q.     Councillor R. Allan Jones asked the Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones:-

“We are all told we should not believe what we read in the press.  It is therefore disappointing to read in the Free Press of the proposal to build a Sixth Form at Hayfield.  Is this true.  Having discussed the Sixth Form review with the appropriate Officer, I am still awaiting a copy of the report?”

A.        The Mayor gave the following response:-

“Thank you for your question.  I have to say that I was surprised and disappointed to learn about the proposals for New College Doncaster to locate next to Hayfield School.  The Council was given no advance warning of the announcement and neither New College Doncaster nor Hayfield School, has worked with the Council regarding this proposal.

It is certainly true to say that Sixth Form provision in Doncaster needs to be addressed, as currently the number and range of providers does not offer the best possible opportunities for our young people.

I am not personally in favour of the government’s Free School Policy.  However, I understand that this application was approved, and if there is to be a new Sixth Form College in Doncaster, then in my view, it should be done in a way that improves Sixth Form provision in our Borough.  I would also welcome significant new investment in our Sixth Form provision and I would hope that the providers work collaboratively in the best interests of young people across Doncaster.

The original business case for New College Doncaster was that it would be based in central Doncaster. Given that the College is aiming to open its doors to 1200 students in September 2017, this would seem to be the most appropriate location.  Everyone in this Chamber will recognise that the Finningley and Auckley area is not, by any stretch of the imagination, in central Doncaster.

Locating a sixth form there will not be of benefit to young people in many parts of Doncaster.  The Council has offered to work with the College to identify a Town Centre site that is near the main Transport Interchange and therefore, much more easily accessible to all communities in Doncaster.

I understand that parents at Hayfield School were not consulted on the proposals and many will understandably be upset at the lack of engagement with them to date.  What is certain is that I firmly and clearly position myself on the side of young people, parents and the improvement of Sixth Form provision in Doncaster.

I am not yet confident that these proposals achieve those aims. We have raised our concerns directly with New College Doncaster, and a meeting has been arranged with senior officers and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 47.

RESOLVED that the Minutes and Briefing Notes of the following Joint Authorities, be noted:-

A.        Sheffield City Region Combined Authority held on 22nd June and 3rd August, 2015.

B.        South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority held on 27th July, 2015 and Section 41 Briefing Notes for August and September, 2015.