Agenda and minutes

Prior to the commencement of formal business, Elected Members, Officers and members of the public, observed a minute’s silence as a mark of respect and remembrance in relation to the recent deaths of Jo Cox, Member of Parliament for Batley and Spen on 16th June, 2016, former Councillor Garth Oxby and an Officer of the Council, Mr Colin Joy, Tourism Manager, who had recently passed away.

No declarations of interest were made at the meeting.

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Annual Council Meeting held on 13th May, 2016, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member, be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

The Chair of Council, Councillor David Nevett, made the following announcements:-

“John Ellis, a freeman of the Borough, has been awarded the Knight Commanders Medal of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany for his efforts to improve employment and training opportunities for young people through his work with the Doncaster Youth Jazz Orchestra and Counterparts in Herten, Germany. This is a very well deserved honour for John and I would like to record our congratulations to him.”

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

“I was shocked and surprised to learn of the significant changes to the HS2 project which were announced last week.  The new proposals would save the Government £1billion but my position is clear; people in Doncaster and South Yorkshire must not suffer as a result of this eleventh hour cost-saving exercise.

I have already spoken to the Secretary of State to express our deep concerns and I will be continuing that dialogue with the Government.

I cannot support any proposal which reduces job creation and economic growth forecasts unless alternative growth mechanisms are in place, and I will certainly not back any proposal where people in communities like Mexborough take a hit on jobs, housing, quality of life and future growth without very significant benefits in return.

First in my mind are the people whose homes and communities will be directly affected. I have been speaking to residents and I am working together with local Councillors and MPs, to support them and fight on their behalf.

People have also asked for my views on the overall proposed changes to HS2 in South Yorkshire. In my experience, it is always best to fully understand a proposal and its implications before rushing to welcome it.  In terms of the wider issue of regional job creation and economic growth, it is important that we analyse the details.  That is what we are now doing.  However, some of the initial information does raise concern. For example, under the previous proposal, getting HS2 from London to Meadowhall would have taken 68 minutes and there could have been up to five or six trains per hour. HS2 estimated that travelling on to the city centre, if that is where you wanted to go, would take a total of 78 minutes. The new spur into Sheffield Midland, on slower tracks, will take 83 minutes, including stopping at Chesterfield, and carry ‘up to two trains per hour’. In fact, using HS2 services, you could get from London to Leeds quicker than London to Sheffield.

The report is also unclear when it comes to a number of other important issues. The proposals do not commit to a northern link back onto the main HS2 line to Leeds. Similarly, there is no commitment to a parkway station in South Yorkshire. The level of connectivity to Birmingham is unclear. It appears that we may now be getting a service which is less frequent, slower, with no guaranteed connection to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 22.

None received for this meeting.

There were no questions from the public received for this meeting.

Further to the above Minute, the Council considered a report, presented by the Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones, which sought Members approval of the refreshed Corporate Plan.

It was reported that the Corporate Plan was an important document which set out the Council’s priorities to ensure that it contributed effectively to the Council’s success as a Borough.

Members noted that Full Council had already approved a three year Corporate Plan at its meeting held in June, 2014 and that this was the third and final year of this approved plan.  This was a light touch refresh which aimed to ensure that the plan was up to date and remained focussed on the Council’s key objectives.

The Mayor pointed out that the plan had been considered by Overview and Scrutiny and that she expressed her gratitude to Elected Members for their input, and she was pleased to act on their recommendations.  There had been no major changes to the plan and the minor amendments proposed were outlined in the report.

The Mayor reported that there had been some significant successes as the Council sought to:-

•   Build a thriving economy;

•   Improve skills development and opportunities for local people;

•   Develop new housing;

•   Reshape and improve local services; and

•   Ensure that the Council was an efficient and effective local Council.

In conclusion, the Mayor stated that the Council would continue to closely monitor and report on progress through the quarterly performance reports.

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

RESOLVED that the refreshed Corporate Plan, be approved.

The Council considered the Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report presented by Councillor Charlie Hogarth, Vice-Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee (OSMC), which highlighted the progress of Doncaster Council’s Overview and Scrutiny function during 2015/16.  The report also provided a short summary of some of the work carried out by OSMC and its four Standing Panels during 2015/16 and also highlighted some of the key achievements and the impacts that Overview and Scrutiny had made over the past year, and identified priorities for 2016/17.

Councillor Hogarth initially placed on record his appreciation to Members, the Executive, Officers, Partners, Stakeholders and the public, who had attended meetings and contributed to the Overview and Scrutiny process.  Councillor Hogarth hoped that this report reflected the value that an effective Overview and Scrutiny function could bring to the organisation.  He also looked forward as to how Overview and Scrutiny could positively contribute to improving the delivery of services such as health and adult social care, environment, children’s issues, regeneration, housing and within communities, in delivering the Corporate Plan whilst the Council continued to effectively manage its finances.

Councillor Hogarth drew Members attention to the key impacts and achievements which had arisen from the work of Overview and Scrutiny which included all aspects of the Overview and Scrutiny process, policy review and development, reviewing performance, the work of partners, and providing a critical friend role and appropriate challenge. 

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

RESOLVED that the Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report 2015/16, be noted.

“The Prime Minister and leaders from across the political spectrum have joined together to condemn the reported increase in xenophobic abuse and racist incidents that have recently taken place across the country.

Doncaster Council supports those who repudiate these despicable acts and unequivocally condemns racism, xenophobia and hate crimes.”

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 16.1, a Motion was submitted by Councillor Jane Kidd and Seconded by Councillor Rachael Blake:-

“The Prime Minister and leaders from across the political spectrum have joined together to condemn the reported increase in xenophobic abuse and racist incidents that have recently taken place across the country.

Doncaster Council supports those who repudiate these despicable acts and unequivocally condemns racism, xenophobia and hate crimes.”

An amendment to the Motion was Moved by Councillor Nick Allen and Seconded by Councillor R. Allan Jones, in that the Motion be amended to read as follows:-

“The Prime Minister and leaders from across the political spectrum have joined together to condemn the reported increase in xenophobic abuse and racist incidents that have recently taken place across the country.

Doncaster Council supports those who repudiate these despicable acts and unequivocally condemns anti-Semitism, racism, xenophobia and hate crimes.”

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

For - 44

Against - 1

Abstain - 0

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

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

A vote was taken on the Substantive Motion which was declared as follows:-

For - 45

Against - 0

Abstentions - 0

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

RESOLVED that the Prime Minister and leaders from across the political spectrum have joined together to condemn the reported increase in xenophobic abuse and racist incidents that have recently taken place across the country.

Doncaster Council supports those who repudiate these despicable acts and unequivocally condemns anti-Semitism, racism, xenophobia and hate crimes.

“This Council supports the Royal British Legion’s ‘Count Them In’ campaign to better recognise, understand and support the Armed Forces community through changes to the national census. By adding new questions to the 2021 census we can improve our understanding of this unique community both locally and nationally, in order to fully meet the needs of our serving personnel, veterans and their families.”

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 16.1, a Motion was submitted by Councillor Paul Wray and Seconded by Councillor George Derx:-

“This Council supports the Royal British Legion’s ‘Count Them In’ campaign to better recognise, understand and support the Armed Forces community through changes to the national census. By adding new questions to the 2021 census we can improve our understanding of this unique community both locally and nationally, in order to fully meet the needs of our serving personnel, veterans and their families.”

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 Paul Wray, which was declared as follows:-

For - 43

Against - 0

Abstain - 0

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

RESOLVED that this Council supports the Royal British Legion’s ‘Count Them In’ campaign to better recognise, understand and support the Armed Forces community through changes to the national census. By adding new questions to the 2021 census we can improve our understanding of this unique community both locally and nationally, in order to fully meet the needs of our serving personnel, veterans and their families.

(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 Andy Pickering asked the Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones:-

“Firstly, may I thank the Mayor for visiting our Shimmer Estate to express her concerns concerning the shattering news that more than 200 homes will be lost in Mexborough to HS2.

We, the Elected Members, have just met for discussions with HS2 Ltd.  It transpired that this route option is the least favoured of the four considered, but it was impossible to reach agreement on the favoured Meadowhall route with Sheffield City Region representatives.

The only favourable aspect of this option is that it saves money and gives Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council a station en-route, but it fails to bring anything other than destruction to Doncaster MBC.  2% plus of Mexborough’s housing stock will be lost. We oppose that.

HS2 said that the next decision by the Secretary of State in the Autumn is to open consultations that may last 9 months.  HS2 Ltd told us today that changes could be made including detailed changes to the route itself.

Can the Mayor assure residents that DMBC will use those months of consultation to press for a solution that saves the homes of our residents?”

A.   The Mayor gave the following response:-

“I don’t think you actually heard what I said in my announcement.  First in my mind are the people, not only on the Shimmer Estate, but in other areas as well, whose homes and communities will be directly affected.  I went out to the Shimmer Estate to visit and I will continue to communicate.  As I have said before, we will work together and this is ‘Apolitical’ in order to achieve the best outcome we can and that’s with ourselves and Members of Parliament, and we will fight on everyones behalf. 

Just to add, there is no certainty, so Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council is not forced to gain out of this as I have read the report.  I understand that they will undertake a study to see whether a further station can be added, so there is no definite plus on their side, so to quote that Barnsley will be better off; they do not know. 

We believe and I categorically state that Meadowhall will benefit the wider communities of the Borough.”

Q.   Councillor James Hart asked the Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones:-

“Would the Mayor comment on a recent Free Press article or it may have been The Star, in which Councillor John Mounsey commented on the state of litter in Doncaster.  He is quoted saying ‘this is an absolute disgrace; somebody needs to sort things out, something must be done rapidly’.  I personally would have thought that as senior Labour Councillor in this Borough, even the Chair  ...  view the full minutes text for item 28.

A.        South Yorkshire Police and Crime Panel held on 27th January, 2016.

B.        Sheffield City Region Combined Authority held on 14th and 31st March, 2016.

C.        South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority held on 15th       February and 11th April, 2016 and Section 41 Briefing Note for March, 2016.

D.        South Yorkshire Pensions Authority held on 11th February and 17th March, 2016.

In response to a query from Councillor John Cooke with regard to dates of future Joint Authority Meetings, the Head of Legal Services and Monitoring Officer, Scott Fawcus, advised Councillor Cooke that all future meeting dates were detailed on the Joint Authority Websites, and undertook to forward the appropriate web links to Elected Members.

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

A.        South Yorkshire Police and Crime Panel held on 27th January, 2016.

B.        Sheffield City Region Combined Authority held on 14th and 31st

March, 2016.

C.        South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority held on 15th

February and 11th April, 2016 and Section 41 Briefing Note for

March, 2016.

D.        South Yorkshire Pensions Authority held on 11th February and 17th March, 2016.