Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber, Civic Office, Waterdale, Doncaster DN1 3BU. View directions

Contact: David Taylor  01302 736712

Link: Click here to view the audio visual recording of the meeting

Items
No. Item

21.

Declarations of Interest, if any

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest made at the meeting.

22.

Minutes of the Annual Council Meeting held on 19th May, 2017 pdf icon PDF 134 KB

Minutes:

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Annual Council Meeting held on Friday, 19th May, 2017, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member, be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

23.

To receive any announcements from the Chair of Council, the Mayor, Members of the Cabinet or the Head of Paid Service

Minutes:

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

 

“I have two announcements.  Colleagues, I would not normally comment on rumours of a Government announcement but, like me, many of you will have seen or heard the BBC reports on HS2 this morning.

 

The reports indicate that a decision on the route for HS2 in South Yorkshire will be made on Monday, and that it is likely to agree the new M18 route, which we are all so opposed to.

 

Residents will no doubt be up in arms to hear these rumours through the media. They are entitled to be and I am not happy about it either. It is deeply disrespectful to them.

 

We will wait to learn what that announcement says, if indeed it is made.

 

However, if it is true that the Government intends to proceed with the M18 route, and as reported this morning, the vast weight of the consultation responses opposed this route, then my view is that it would be little short of outrageous.

 

To go against such strong public opinion and the available evidence, would simply demonstrate that this is a Government for the few, not the many.

 

We will wait until Monday to hear full details of the announcement, if it is made, and I will say more about it at that point.

 

I will of course also endeavour to keep Councillors informed once the announcement is made.

 

Colleagues will be aware that last month, Bassetlaw and Chesterfield Councils made the decision not to proceed with their plans to become full constituent members of the Sheffield City Region.

 

Clearly this has a number of implications for devolution proposals in the region.

 

On Monday, there will be a meeting of the Combined Authority which will consider these implications and at the end of this month, Yorkshire Leaders will also be meeting to discuss Devolution within our county.

 

I will be attending both of these meetings to represent Doncaster and listen to the views of colleagues. I do not intend to form my own recommendations on the current situation until I have heard from all regional colleagues.

 

This afternoon, I sent a more detailed update to you all, as we have previously discussed Devolution in detail.

 

I will of course endeavour to keep you informed and I will update this Chamber again, once those meetings have taken place.”

 

The Deputy Mayor, Councillor Glyn Jones, made the following announcement:-

 

All our thoughts will be with the victims, families and community in Kensington and Chelsea following the awful fire at Grenfell Tower.

 

This tragic event has also brought into sharp focus the need for all Local Authorities and landlords, to look carefully at their own buildings, to ensure that residents are safe in their homes.

 

I want to take this opportunity to update Council on the current situation in Doncaster.

 

We have nine high rise properties in Doncaster, and none of those buildings have the same cladding as found at Grenfell Tower.

 

However,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 23.

24.

Questions from the public in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 13:-

None received for this meeting.

Minutes:

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

25.

Youth Justice Plan 2017/18 pdf icon PDF 272 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Council considered the new statutory, strategic Youth Offending Service Plan for 2017/18 for the Youth Offending Service in Doncaster.  The Youth Justice Plan had to be reviewed and considered by Council each year under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, in order to identify how Youth Justice Services would be provided and funded.

 

In presenting the report, Councillor Nuala Fennelly, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Schools, stated that the Plan outlined the key strategic and operational priorities for the Youth Offending Service in Doncaster for 2017/18.

 

Councillor Fennelly was delighted to report that the Youth Offending Service was currently the fourth best Youth Offending Service in England and Wales overall, in terms of it preventing re-offending, adding that its performance this year was the best ever performance for Doncaster.

 

Members were informed that official data indicated a re-offending rate of 28.1% for Doncaster, compared to a regional figure of 39.6% and England 37.7%.  The EPIC Project had been very successful in reducing First Time Entrants.  This year they had reached the target set for the next 2 years.

 

Furthermore, the Council was informed that the custody rate had been a national outlier for a number of years, which showed that Doncaster was still performing better than the region and England.  In past years, young people in Doncaster had been in accommodation that was less than suitable, but now 100% of them had acceptable accommodation.

 

Councillor Fennelly stated that the Young People’s Plan had been highlighted as a national example of good practice and was shared on the Youth Justice Board’s best practice website.  Performance had improved across all indicators, but the challenge now would be to maintain this high level of performance.  As First Time Entrants decreased, the young people still in the system would be those harder to reach with more complex difficulties, which made it harder to prevent offending or re-offending.

 

Members were informed that the Trust was confident that they would be able to continue the good work and show progression overall in their future work.

 

Following consideration of the report, Councillors were afforded the opportunity to speak.

 

            RESOLVED that the Youth Justice Plan 2017/18, be approved.

26.

2017/18 Budget Updates pdf icon PDF 309 KB

Minutes:

The Mayor, Ros Jones presented a report which provided an update on the 2017/18 budget, which was agreed by Council on 2nd March, 2017.

 

Members were informed that the budget changes were predominately the additional £7.0m Improved Better Care Fund, that was announced in the 2017 Spring Budget and as a result, could not be included in the original budget setting process.

 

The Mayor advised that unfortunately, the additional funding was a one-off and therefore, it did not change the on-going budget requirements.  The Council still faced significant cuts by the Conservative Government to the Council’s budget.  However, she commented that the additional funding would help towards immediate budget pressures and support one-off key activities including:-

 

·         Emerging pressures, such as sleep-in nights and delayed transfers of care (DTOC)

·         Growing Futures Project which involved a multi-agency strategy for domestic abuse; and

·         The Pause Project working with the most vulnerable adult women to achieve better outcomes.

 

In addition, over £200,000 of extra funding this year was being used to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping, in particular in our Town Centres, with more to come next year.

 

Overall, the Mayor believed that this was a prudent approach and was in line with the Council’s long term plan, which she felt that the Council must follow, and which was in the best interests of the people and businesses of Doncaster.

 

Following the update on the 2017/18 budget changes, Members were afforded the opportunity to comment on the report.

 

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 21.4, a recorded vote was taken on the recommendations contained within the report, which was declared as follows:-

 

For – 41

 

The Vice-Chair of Council, Councillor Majid Khan, the Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones, the Deputy Mayor, Councillor Glyn Jones and Councillors

Nick Allen, Duncan Anderson, Lani-Mae Ball, Nigel Ball, Iris Beech,

Rachael Blake, Nigel Cannings, Phil Cole, Tony Corden, Jane Cox,

Steve Cox, Linda Curran, Nuala Fennelly, Neil Gethin, John Gilliver,

Pat Haith, John Healy, Rachel Hodson, Charlie Hogarth, Mark Houlbrook,

David Hughes, R. Allan Jones, Kenneth Keegan, Jane Kidd,

Chris McGuinness, Sue McGuinness, John McHale, Bill Mordue,

David Nevett, Jane Nightingale, Ian Pearson, Andy Pickering,

Cynthia Ransome, Tina Reid, Andrea Robinson, Kevin Rodgers, Derek Smith and Austen White.

 

Against – 1

 

The Chair of Council, Councillor George Derx.

 

Abstain – 0

 

On being put to the meeting, the budget allocations detailed in the report for the £7.0m additional Improved Better Care Fund, were declared CARRIED.

 

RESOLVED the budget allocations, as detailed in the report, for the £7.0m additional Improved Better Care Fund, be approved.

27.

Proposed new Supporting Small Businesses Rates Relief Scheme pdf icon PDF 343 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Mayor, Ros Jones, presented a report which sought approval of a new scheme of discretionary relief to support local businesses that had lost some or all of their Small Business Rate Relief or Rural Rate Relief, as a result of the 2017 revaluation.  Details of the proposed scheme for supporting small businesses in Doncaster were attached to the report at Appendix 1.

 

The Mayor stated that the proposed scheme would run for 5 years from 2017/18 to 2021/22 and had been designed in line with Government guidance and eligibility criteria, which would ensure that the Council was fully reimbursed by Government for the relief awarded.

 

Members noted that 28 local businesses would qualify for relief under the scheme, with a total of £45,000 being awarded in 2017/18.

 

Members were informed that the scheme would ensure that these businesses paid no more than £600 extra per year for the life of the scheme.

 

In conclusion, the Mayor believed this was the right approach to take to this issue, and therefore recommended the report to Council.

 

Following the Mayor’s presentation of the new scheme of discretionary relief to support local businesses, Members were afforded the opportunity to comment on the report.

 

RESOLVED that

 

(1)      the Supporting Small Businesses Rates Relief Scheme, as detailed at Appendix 1 of the report, for supporting small businesses in Doncaster, be adopted; this Policy being in line with the guidance issued by Department of Communities and Local Government, which was attached at Appendix 2 of the report; and

 

(2)       the award of relief to qualifying local businesses through this scheme for the 5 years 2017/18 through to 2021/22, be approved.

28.

Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report 2016/17 pdf icon PDF 244 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Council considered the Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report presented by Councillor Kevin Rodgers, Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee (OSMC), which highlighted the progress of Doncaster Council’s Overview and Scrutiny function during 2016/17.  The report also provided a summary of the work undertaken by OSMC and its four Standing Panels during 2016/17, 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 2017/18.

 

Prior to consideration of the report, Councillor Rodgers, drew Members’ attention to a drafting error in relation to the membership of the Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Panel, as set out on page 5 of the Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report 2016/17, stating that the names of the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Panel as outlined, were incorrect and should be amended to read as ‘Chair - Councillor Neil Gethin’ and ‘Vice-Chair - Councillor Nigel Ball’.

 

The Chair also highlighted a typographical error in relation to the penultimate paragraph ‘Doncaster Exam and Assessment Results 2016’, on page 21 of the Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report 2016/17, which should read as  ‘2016’ and not as ‘2018’. 

 

In presenting the report, Councillor Rodgers took the opportunity to thank the former Chair and Vice-Chair of OSMC, Councillors John Mounsey and Charlie Hogarth, for ensuring that this work had been undertaken and also 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 Rodgers hoped that this report reflected the value that an effective Overview and Scrutiny function could bring to the organisation.  He stated that Overview and Scrutiny Members would continue to identify ways to positively contribute to improving the delivery of services such as health and adult social care, environmental, children’s issues, regeneration and housing, whilst the Council continued to efficiently and effectively manage its resources.

 

Councillor Rodgers 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. 

 

It was reported that last year, the Panels focused on reviewing topics in-depth to provide suggestions for improvement on such areas as Homelessness and Domestic Abuse.  Scrutiny was able to respond flexibly to important issues of local and public concern that had arisen during the year.  An example of this included when OSMC considered Commission, Care and Support.  In addition, Scrutiny monitored arrangements and safeguarding services for both Children’s and Adults through holding partners to account each year.

 

Councillor Rodgers concluded his presentation of the report by stating that he hoped to continue to build on Overview and Scrutiny’s successes in the future.

 

Following the presentation of the report, the Chair of Council invited Members to comment on the report.

 

RESOLVED that the Overview and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 28.

29.

Revisions to the Terms of Reference of the Health and Wellbeing Board, Appointment of Chair of the Health and Wellbeing Board and Planning Committee and Replacement Labour Group Nomination for Planning Committee. pdf icon PDF 235 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Council considered a report which sought approval to amend the Terms of Reference of the Health and Wellbeing Board to enable the Cabinet Member whose portfolio included Adult Social Care, to Chair meetings of the Board, in addition to the portfolio holder with responsibility for Public Health.

 

At its meeting on 29th June, 2017, the Health and Wellbeing Board considered a report which sought the endorsement for the proposed amendment to the Terms of Reference and subsequent appointment of Councillor Rachael Blake as Chair of the Board.

 

In presenting the report, the Deputy Mayor advised that approval was sought to amend the Health and Wellbeing Boards Terms of Reference and that the Council’s Constitution would be updated to reflect the revisions.  He stated that as Members were aware, Adults and Social Care were coming closer together and in some areas in the country, Councils had realigned Social Care to be co-terminus with Health.  Therefore, it was felt that it was more appropriate for the Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care to Chair the Health and Wellbeing Board.

 

Councillor R. Allan Jones sought clarification as to whether there would be a conflict of interest in relation to a Cabinet Member presiding as Chair on the Health and Wellbeing Board and felt that it was more appropriate for a member to work outside of the Executive when chairing the Board.

 

In response, the Deputy Mayor stated that it was more appropriate to have the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care to Chair the Board and with elements of health included within that particular role.  This would offer greater flexibility in terms of future chairing arrangements.

 

The Monitoring Officer, Scott Fawcus, clarified the provisions in the legislation regarding Health and Wellbeing Boards and indicated that the Council was following Government guidance; this model being adopted on a national basis.

 

In addition, Council was also requested to seek a nomination for a replacement Labour Group Member to serve on the Planning Committee and appoint a new Chair for the remainder of the 2017/18 Municipal Year, following the resignation of Councillor John McHale as both the Chair and serving Member of the Committee.

 

Subsequently, it was MOVED by the Deputy Mayor, Councillor Glyn Jones and SECONDED by Councillor Joe Blackham, that Councillor Eva Hughes be appointed Chair of the Planning Committee for the remainder of the 2017/18 Municipal Year.

 

On being put to the meeting, the Motion to appoint Councillor Eva Hughes as the Chair of the Planning Committee was declared CARRIED.

 

RESOLVED that

 

(1)       paragraph 4.2 of the Health and Wellbeing Board’s Terms of Reference, be revised, as set out in Appendix A to this report, to enable the Cabinet Member whose portfolio included Adult Social Care, to Chair meetings of the Board, in addition to the Portfolio Holder with responsibility for Public Health;

 

(2)       it be noted that the Council’s Constitution will be updated to reflect the revision to the Health and Wellbeing Board’s Terms of Reference;

 

(3)       Councillor Rachael Blake,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 29.

30.

To consider the following Motion, written notice of which has been given by Councillor Neil Gethin and Seconded by Councillor Lani-Mae Ball, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 16.1:-

“This Council:-

 

        registers its opposition to the Arriva North franchise requirement for driver only trains, and the Government’s plans to make driver only trains mandatory;

 

        supports the RMT (National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers’) campaign to protect on-board conductors on the (Arriva North) routes and hundreds of essential rail jobs;

 

        believes that, if implemented, the plan would result in cuts to funding, fare rises, service and timetable cuts and the loss of hundreds of essential rail jobs;

 

        also believes that in addition to the loss of skilled jobs, passenger service and passenger safety will be worsened by this plan to remove guards and conductors from services and introduce Driver-Only-Operation;

 

        notes that these proposals come on top of rail fare hikes and the pre-existing understaffing of many stations and the closure of ticket offices, making guards and on-board conductors even more essential to passenger safety;

 

        believes that protecting and increasing staffing levels are the most effective way of improving security and passenger safety;

 

        notes that the driver is responsible for safe operation of the train and the on-board conductor for the protection of passengers;

 

        notes that currently, guards and on-board conductors are fully trained in operational safety, route knowledge, including safely securing doors, protecting the train and acting in emergencies such as driver incapacity;

 

        believes that these types of cuts to rail services particularly have an impact on disabled, older and women passengers, and go against the wishes of passengers who value proper staffing of trains and stations; and

 

        urges the Government and Rail North to protect passengers and the communities who rely on these rail services by withdrawing these proposals and instead hold meaningful consultations to deliver properly funded, properly staffed and affordable railways in the North.”

Minutes:

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 16.1, a Motion was submitted by Councillor Neil Gethin and Seconded by Councillor Lani-Mae Ball:-

 

“This Council:-

 

      registers its opposition to the Arriva North franchise requirement for driver only trains, and the Government’s plans to make driver only trains mandatory;

 

      supports the RMT (National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers’) campaign to protect on-board conductors on the (Arriva North) routes and hundreds of essential rail jobs;

 

      believes that, if implemented, the plan would result in cuts to funding, fare rises, service and timetable cuts and the loss of hundreds of essential rail jobs;

 

      also believes that in addition to the loss of skilled jobs, passenger service and passenger safety will be worsened by this plan to remove guards and conductors from services and introduce Driver-Only-Operation;

 

      notes that these proposals come on top of rail fare hikes and the pre-existing understaffing of many stations and the closure of ticket offices, making guards and on-board conductors even more essential to passenger safety;

 

      believes that protecting and increasing staffing levels are the most effective way of improving security and passenger safety;

 

      notes that the driver is responsible for safe operation of the train and the on-board conductor for the protection of passengers;

 

      notes that currently, guards and on-board conductors are fully trained in operational safety, route knowledge, including safely securing doors, protecting the train and acting in emergencies such as driver incapacity;

 

      believes that these types of cuts to rail services particularly have an impact on disabled, older and women passengers, and go against the wishes of passengers who value proper staffing of trains and stations; and

 

      urges the Government and Rail North to protect passengers and the communities who rely on these rail services by withdrawing these proposals and instead hold meaningful consultations to deliver properly funded, properly staffed and affordable railways in the North.”

 

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 Neil Gethin, which was declared as follows:-

 

For - 44

 

Against - 0

 

Abstain - 0

 

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

 

RESOLVED that this Council:-

 

(1)      registers its opposition to the Arriva North franchise requirement for driver only trains, and the Government’s plans to make driver only trains mandatory;

 

(2)      supports the RMT (National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers’) campaign to protect on-board conductors on the (Arriva North) routes and hundreds of essential rail jobs;

 

(3)      believes that, if implemented, the plan would result in cuts to funding, fare rises, service and timetable cuts and the loss of hundreds of essential rail jobs;

 

(4)      also believes that in addition to the loss of skilled jobs, passenger service and passenger safety will be worsened by this plan to remove guards and conductors from services and introduce Driver-Only-Operation;

 

(5)      notes that these proposals come on top of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 30.

31.

Questions by Elected Members in accordance with Council Procedure Rules 15.2 and 15.3:-

(i)        Questions on Notice to the Executive:-

 

None received for this meeting.

 

(ii)       Questions without Notice to the Executive and the Chairs of the Audit Committee, Elections and Democratic Structures Committee, Health and Wellbeing Board and Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee.

 

Minutes:

A.   Questions on Notice

 

No questions on notice had been received for this meeting.

 

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 Ros Jones, Mayor of Doncaster

 

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

 

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

 

There were no questions put to the Deputy Mayor, Councillor Glyn Jones, Cabinet Member for Housing and Equalities.

 

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

 

There were no questions put to Councillor Nigel Ball, Cabinet Member for Public Health, Leisure and Culture.

 

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

 

In the absence of Councillor Joe Blackham, Cabinet Member for Highways, Street Scene and Trading Services, the Chair of Council informed Members that any questions for Councillor Joe Blackham should be submitted in writing 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

 

There were no questions put to Councillor Chris McGuinness, Cabinet Member for Communities, Voluntary Sector and the Environment.

 

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

 

There were no questions put to Councillor Jane Nightingale, Cabinet Member for Customer and Corporate Services.

 

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 Rachael Blake, Chair of the Health and Wellbeing Board.

 

M.   Questions to Councillor Kevin Rodgers, Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee

 

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

32.

To receive the Minutes of the following Joint Authorities:- pdf icon PDF 92 KB

A.        South Yorkshire Police and Crime Panel held on 16th December, 2016, 7th and 24th February and 28th April, 2017.

 

B.        Sheffield City Region Combined Authority held on 22nd March and 24th April, 2017.

           

C.      South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority held on 13th February, 3rd April and 15th May, 2017 and Section 41 Briefing Notes for March, April, May, June and July, 2017.

 

D.      South Yorkshire Pensions Authority held on 16th February and 16th March, 2017.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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

 

A.        South Yorkshire Police and Crime Panel held on 16th December, 2016, 7th and 24th February and 28th April, 2017;

 

B.        Sheffield City Region Combined Authority held on 22nd March and 24th April, 2017;

       

C.     South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority held on 13th February, 3rd April and 15th May, 2017 and Section 41 Briefing Notes for March, April, May, June and July, 2017; and

 

D.     South Yorkshire Pensions Authority held on 16th February and 16th March, 2017.