Agenda and minutes

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

Contact: David Taylor  01302 736712

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

Items
No. Item

20.

Declarations of Interest, if any

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest made at the meeting.

21.

Minutes of the Annual Council Meeting held on 18th May, 2018 pdf icon PDF 303 KB

Minutes:

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Annual Council Meeting held on Friday, 18th May, 2018, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member, be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

22.

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

Minutes:

Councillor Majid Khan, Chair of Council made the following announcement:-

 

“I would like to extend a welcome to our newly elected Member, Councillor Tosh McDonald who is attending his first Council Meeting today following the recent By-Election.

 

I would also like to welcome members of the Youth Council who are here today for Item 12 on the Agenda in relation to the Motion proposing to lower the voting age to 16.”

 

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

 

Having promised to give careful consideration to the One Yorkshire proposal, Yorkshire Leaders were disappointed the Government’s response last week was a three paragraph letter placing obstacles to achieving a Devolution settlement and not addressing the detail of the proposal.

 

The One Yorkshire proposal has the cross-party support of 18 Authorities and the Mayor of the Sheffield City Region, and are ready to deliver a Devolution deal right now which would offer huge benefits for the region and the wider UK economy.  With the constructive support of the Government, an agreement can be in place and a Mayor for One Yorkshire elected by 2020.  Yorkshire Leaders were clear that they stand together; united to deliver One Yorkshire working with a constructive partner in Government.

 

Yorkshire Leaders have tasked Officers with continuing to develop the One Yorkshire plan in line with the demands set out by the Government and expect the Government to respond with a constructive approach and rapid progress in the coming weeks and months.

 

We have invited the Government to be involved in the economic study of the rationale behind the One Yorkshire proposition which is being undertaken now and will be completed in the coming months.  We also stated our willingness to travel together to London at any time to progress discussions with the Secretary of State, James Brokenshire and other Ministers.

 

The 19 Leaders called upon the Government to help meet its own conditions by accelerating the delivery of the Sheffield City Region Devolution deal whilst assuring those who want to join One Yorkshire, that option will be available to them as early as 2020.

 

Leaders vowed to remain united to deliver what the people of Doncaster voted for, what Yorkshire deserves and what could benefit the whole of the UK. 

 

I would ask my Conservative colleagues to lobby their own party both locally and nationally in support of the widest Yorkshire Devolution deal possible.

 

My second announcement relates to the Miners Statue launch for Crowd Funding.  This is a subject close to my heart and many others across Doncaster.  My Dad was a miner, and I grew up as part of a mining community; an extended family that looked out for each other.  The statue will be a celebration of our mining history.  It will be an iconic and permanent piece of public art built on the stories of our ex-miners and their communities; their contribution is integral to the project.

 

This is exciting work by internationally acclaimed sculptor Laurence Edwards.  He  ...  view the full minutes text for item 22.

23.

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.

24.

Youth Justice Plan 2018/19 pdf icon PDF 209 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Council considered a report, presented by Councillor Nuala Fennelly, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Schools, on the new statutory, strategic Youth Offending Service Plan for 2018/19 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 stated that The Youth Justice Plan demonstrated some very positive performance by the Youth Offending Service (YOS) against all statutory targets and outlined that in summary, children were offending less in Doncaster than they had previously, and when they did offend, they were triaged away from the criminal justice system to an alternative route at the earliest opportunity and if they did enter the criminal justice system, they would receive the right help to prevent them from re-offending in the future.

 

Councillor Fennelly informed Council that a number of challenges would be faced in 2018/19 by the Youth Offending Team, namely the reduction in the contribution to Youth Offending Teams due to the reduction in the number of seconded Probation Officers from 1.5 to 0.5, and also South Yorkshire Police’s support would reduce from 3 to 2 Officers.  However, this still represented a high level of Police resource when compared both regionally and nationally.  Due to these cuts to the service, the Youth Offending Team would need to seek support from other colleagues within the Directorate.  Finally, it was outlined that Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE) was a significant emerging issue both locally and nationally and the YOS was undertaking a significant mapping and intervention exercise in order to ensure that children received the help they needed to make the positive changes in their lives to remain safe.

 

Councillor Fennelly concluded by commending the work undertaken over the past year by the YOS and praised the improvements made continually year on year.

 

Following consideration of the report, Councillors were afforded the opportunity to speak.  Members welcomed and supported the report, thanking Officers for a comprehensive plan that would be beneficial to all Wards across the Borough.

 

RESOLVED that the Youth Justice Plan 2018/19, be approved.

25.

Neighbourhood Planning - Adoption 'Making' of the Edlington Neighbourhood Development Plan pdf icon PDF 263 KB

Minutes:

The Council considered a report, presented by Councillor Chris McGuinness, Cabinet Member for Communities, Voluntary Sector and the Environment, which proposed the adoption of the Edlington Neighbourhood Development Plan which would ultimately form part of Doncaster’s Development Plan.

 

It was reported that Neighbourhood Planning had been introduced with the Localism Act in 2011 and allowed Town/Parish Councils and the associated local communities to produce Neighbourhood Plans for their own areas.  A statutory process had to be followed in adopting such plans and there were a number of legally prescribed stages that needed to be undertaken in preparing a Neighbourhood Plan.  The final stage was the Referendum, whereby anyone living in the designated area had the right to vote on whether they wanted the Council to use the Neighbourhood Plan as part of the Development Plan and as a consequence, use it in the determination of planning applications for the specified areas.

 

Members noted that whilst the turnout had not been particularly high, of the 615 ballot papers returned, 87% of these had voted to adopt the Neighbourhood Plan and Councillor McGuinness reported that he was pleased to see the process was moving forward.

 

Members welcomed the report and thanked Officers, Ward Members, Parish Councillors and volunteers involved in the production of the Neighbourhood Plan that would hopefully allow communities to come together and shape a vision for the future.  It was anticipated that more Neighbourhood Plans would come to fruition in the future that would hopefully bring about a positive outcome for all the communities involved.

 

RESOLVED that the Council formally adopt the Edlington Neighbourhood Plan as part of the Statutory Development Plan for the Borough.

26.

Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report 2017/18 pdf icon PDF 247 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 2017/18.  The report also provided a summary of the work undertaken by OSMC and its four Standing Panels during 2017/18, 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 2018/19.

 

Councillor Rodgers conveyed his thanks to Members, the Executive, Officers, the Youth Council, Partners and Stakeholders, as well as the public, who had all taken the time to involve themselves in the Scrutiny process.  It was noted that through its key role of holding the Executive to account, Overview and Scrutiny could positively contribute to the effective use of resources and the delivery of services.

 

It was reported that some of the highlights from the past year included an in-depth crime and disorder study on a local area and consideration of best practice from a similar authority as well as a review of the Scrutiny function. It was also reported that Scrutiny had demonstrated is ability to respond flexibly to important issues of concern over the year, including the merger of Doncaster and North Lindsey Colleges, and also the overspend by Doncaster Children’s Trust.

 

The Chair of Scrutiny concluded by conveying his thanks once again to all involved in the Scrutiny process and hoped that they would build on the success over the past year in 2018/19.

 

RESOLVED that the Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report 2017/18, be noted.

27.

Health and Safety Reporting Arrangements - Review and Proposal pdf icon PDF 253 KB

Minutes:

The Council considered a report, presented by Councillor Nigel Ball, Cabinet Member for Public Health, Leisure and Culture, on the review of the Council’s current Health and Safety reporting arrangements which had been undertaken, with proposed changes to the current arrangements to strengthen governance and provide a more proactive strategic approach and clearer accountabilities.  The purpose of this report was to provide assurance of the Council’s compliance with current Health and Safety Regulations and Guidance, which required continual review of the organisation’s Health and Safety arrangements, embedding effective communication at all levels and mitigating potential risk.

 

Members noted that the current structure provided limited governance and did not enable structured management accountability for strategic Health and Safety, and therefore a new structure was proposed in order to modernise and provide a more strategic approach, as well as bringing it into line with Health and Safety Executive Guidelines and other Local Authority best practice.

 

The new structure would look to strengthen overall governance as well as remove duplication, improve efficiency and enhance effective communications, and look to provide strategic direction for Health and Safety at all levels across the Council.

 

RESOLVED that Council approve the revised arrangements in respect of the functions previously undertaken by the Joint Safety Committee, and note that Part 3 of the Constitution will be amended to reflect the revised arrangements relating to Corporate Health and Safety.

28.

Council Appointments to Outside Bodies: Police and Crime Panel, Doncaster and District Deaf Society and Sheffield City Region Combined Authority Overview and Scrutiny Committee and Audit Committees pdf icon PDF 233 KB

Minutes:

The Council considered a report which sought the appointment of Council representatives to fill outstanding vacancies on the Police and Crime Panel and the Doncaster and District Deaf Society, and the appointment of substitute Member representatives on the Sheffield City Region Combined Authority’s (SCRCA) Overview and Scrutiny Committee and Audit Committee.

 

RESOLVED that

 

(1)       Council endorse the appointment of Councillor David Nevett as the Council’s second representative on the Police and Crime Panel;

 

(2)       Council appoint Councillor David Nevett as the Council’s second representative on the Doncaster and District Deaf Society; and

 

(3)       Council appoint Councillor David Nevett as the Labour Group substitute Member and Councillor Martin Greenhalgh as the Conservative Group substitute Member on the SCRCA Audit Committee and Councillor Duncan Anderson as the Labour Group substitute Member and Councillor Martin Greenhalgh as the Conservative Group substitute Member on the SCRCA Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

29.

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

 

“This Council supports the extension of the electoral franchise to citizens aged 16 and over as a natural and just equalisation of voting rights to match personal responsibilities.

 

Council also supports the need for greater engagement with young people, leading to greater involvement of young people in the decisions that affect their community.

 

This Council welcomes meaningful discussion on the extension of the franchise to 16 and 17 year olds to include civic and democratic education in schools.

 

Council recognises the ongoing Votes at 16 campaign by the British Youth Council, the UK Youth Parliament, (as well as our own elected Youth Council), to lower the voting age to 16. Council therefore calls on the Chief Executive to write to the British Youth Council and the UK Youth Parliament to offer support for the Votes at 16 campaign, and write to Government.

 

This Council believes in a united democracy across the United Kingdom and calls for the extension of the franchise to 16 and 17 year olds in Local Government and devolved elections in England, as seen in Scotland and Wales.

 

This Council resolves to:-

 

  1. Write to British Youth Council stating our support for the Votes at 16 campaign;

 

  1. Write to local Members of Parliament stating our support for the Votes at 16 campaign; and

 

  1. Write to the Prime Minister and the relevant Minister to consider extending the voting age to 16 year olds for Local Government and devolved elections and referendum in England, and to review the wider franchise for all elections and referendums in the UK.”

Minutes:

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

 

“This Council supports the extension of the electoral franchise to citizens aged 16 and over as a natural and just equalisation of voting rights to match personal responsibilities.

 

Council also supports the need for greater engagement with young people, leading to greater involvement of young people in the decisions that affect their community.

 

This Council welcomes meaningful discussion on the extension of the franchise to 16 and 17 year olds to include civic and democratic education in schools.

 

Council recognises the ongoing Votes at 16 campaign by the British Youth Council, the UK Youth Parliament, (as well as our own elected Youth Council), to lower the voting age to 16. Council therefore calls on the Chief Executive to write to the British Youth Council and the UK Youth Parliament to offer support for the Votes at 16 campaign, and write to Government.

 

This Council believes in a united democracy across the United Kingdom and calls for the extension of the franchise to 16 and 17 year olds in Local Government and devolved elections in England, as seen in Scotland and Wales.

 

This Council resolves to:-

 

  1. Write to British Youth Council stating our support for the Votes at 16 campaign;

 

  1. Write to local Members of Parliament stating our support for the Votes at 16 campaign; and

 

  1. Write to the Prime Minister and the relevant Minister to consider extending the voting age to 16 year olds for Local Government and devolved elections and referendum in England, and to review the wider franchise for all elections and referendums in the UK.”

 

The Chair afforded all Members and a member of the Youth Council who was present in the Chamber, the opportunity to speak on the Motion.

 

An amendment to the Motion was MOVED by Councillor Nick Allen and Seconded by the Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones, in that resolution 3 read as follows:-

 

“3.   Write to the Prime Minister and the relevant Minister to consider extending the voting age and seek to hold full office to 16 year olds for Local Government and devolved elections and referendum in England, and to review the wider franchise for all elections and referendums in the UK.

 

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

 

For - 48

 

Against - 1

 

Abstain - 0

 

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

 

A vote was taken on the Substantive Motion proposed by Councillor Lani-Mae Ball, which was declared as follows:-

 

For - 49 

 

Against - 0 

 

Abstain - 0 

 

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

 

RESOLVED that this Council supports the extension of the electoral franchise to citizens aged 16 and over as a natural and just equalisation of voting rights to match personal responsibilities.

 

Council also supports the need  ...  view the full minutes text for item 29.

30.

To consider the following Motion, written notice of which has been given by Councillor Pat Haith and Seconded by Councillor Sue McGuinness, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 16.1

 

“This Council calls upon the Secretary of State for Work & Pensions, The Right Honourable Esther McVey MP, to make fair transitional state pension arrangements for all women born on or after 6th April 1950, who have unfairly borne the burden of the increase to the State Pension Age (SPA) with lack of appropriate notification.

 

Hundreds of thousands of women had significant pension changes imposed on them by the Pensions Acts of 1995 and 2011 with little or no personal notification of the changes. Some women had only two years notice of a six-year increase to their state pension age.

 

Many women born in the 1950's are living in hardship. Retirement plans have been shattered with devastating consequences. Many of these women are already out of the labour market, caring for elderly relatives, providing childcare for grandchildren, or suffer discrimination in the workplace so struggle to find employment. Women born in this decade are suffering financially. These women have worked hard, raised families and paid their tax and national insurance with the expectation that they would be financially secure when reaching 60. It is not the pension age itself that is in dispute - it is widely accepted that women and men should retire at the same time. The issue is that the rise in the women's state pension age has been too rapid and has happened without sufficient notice being given to the women affected, leaving women with no time to make alternative arrangements.

 

Therefore this Council calls upon the Government to reconsider transitional arrangements for women born on or after 6th April 1950, so that women do not live in hardship due to pension changes they were not told about until it was too late to make alternative arrangements.”

 

Minutes:

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 16.1, a Motion was submitted by Councillor Pat Haith and Seconded by Councillor Sue McGuinness:-

 

“This Council calls upon the Secretary of State for Work & Pensions, The Right Honourable Esther McVey MP, to make fair transitional state pension arrangements for all women born on or after 6th April 1950, who have unfairly borne the burden of the increase to the State Pension Age (SPA) with lack of appropriate notification.

 

Hundreds of thousands of women had significant pension changes imposed on them by the Pensions Acts of 1995 and 2011 with little or no personal notification of the changes. Some women had only two years notice of a six-year increase to their state pension age.

 

Many women born in the 1950s are living in hardship. Retirement plans have been shattered with devastating consequences. Many of these women are already out of the labour market, caring for elderly relatives, providing childcare for grandchildren, or suffer discrimination in the workplace so struggle to find employment. Women born in this decade are suffering financially. These women have worked hard, raised families and paid their tax and national insurance with the expectation that they would be financially secure when reaching 60. It is not the pension age itself that is in dispute; it is widely accepted that women and men should retire at the same time. The issue is that the rise in the women's state pension age has been too rapid and has happened without sufficient notice being given to the women affected, leaving women with no time to make alternative arrangements.

 

Therefore this Council calls upon the Government to reconsider transitional arrangements for women born on or after 6th April 1950, so that women do not live in hardship due to pension changes they were not told about until it was too late to make alternative arrangements.”

 

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 Pat Haith, which was declared as follows:-

 

For - 47 

 

Against - 0 

 

Abstain - 0 

 

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

 

RESOLVED that this Council calls upon the Secretary of State for Work & Pensions, The Right Honourable Esther McVey MP, to make fair transitional state pension arrangements for all women born on or after 6th April 1950, who have unfairly borne the burden of the increase to the State Pension Age (SPA) with lack of appropriate notification.

 

Hundreds of thousands of women had significant pension changes imposed on them by the Pensions Acts of 1995 and 2011 with little or no personal notification of the changes. Some women had only two years notice of a six-year increase to their state pension age.

 

Many women born in the 1950s are living in hardship. Retirement plans have been shattered with devastating consequences. Many of these women are already out of the labour market, caring for elderly relatives, providing childcare  ...  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 from Elected Members, 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 the Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones

 

Q.   Councillor R. Allan Jones asked the following question:-

 

“You reported about the meeting last Thursday with all the Leaders of the Councils, but to me, there was no conclusion in relation to the Gain Share and the powers given to the Mayor. Could you tell us when will it be possible when this Council agrees that we can give the powers to the Mayor so that we can move on in the region?”

 

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

 

“Thank you for your question.  We need to see what Government passes down in order to allow what the people of Doncaster want and that is to be part of the ‘One Yorkshire Deal’ at the first opportunity.”

 

Q.   Councillor Nick Allen asked the following question:-

 

“With regard to the Quality Streets Programme, what special measures will be taken to ensure that Charity Shops along Silver Street can still operate effectively even with the pedestrianisation being proposed?”

 

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

 

“The proposal on Quality Streets is about enhancing that street to make it better for the Town, and therefore all consultation has taken place and will continue to take place.  If you require further information, put it in an email and I will pass it on to the relevant Portfolio Holder which is Councillor Mordue.”

 

Q.   Councillor Cynthia Ransome asked the following question:-

 

“It has been well publicised in both the press and an article in this month’s Yorkshire Life that we are to have a film studio in my Ward, High Melton, consisting of 163 acres.  No one in this Council has informed me, the Ward Councillor, or the High Melton Parish Council. I understand that the Council stood as guarantor for the funding from the Sheffield City Region of £4.1 million.  Yourself, Jo Miller, Legal, Finance, Dan Jarvis and Ed Milliband have all been involved.  My question is, why was I or the Parish Council not informed and surely, this needs planning permission which is in the Green Belt, before it is so well publicised?”

 

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

 

“What has been well publicised is that we are supporting this in principle, and it is not within my power, nor should it be, to give Planning Permission or not.  They will go through the relevant procedures.”

 

Q.   In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 15.7, Councillor Cynthia Ransome asked the following supplementary question:-

 

“You didn’t answer my question as to why I or the Parish Council had not been informed of this considering that this Council has just adopted Edlington Neighbourhood Plan which is all inclusive; I find this  ...  view the full minutes text for item 31.

32.

To receive the minutes of the following Joint Authorities pdf icon PDF 131 KB

A.        Sheffield City Region Combined Authority held on 9th March and 11th June, 2018.

 

B.      Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership Board held on 5th February, 19th March, 8th May and 18th June, 2018.

 

C.      South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority held on 19th February and 9th April,2018.

 

D.      South Yorkshire Pensions Authority Local Pension Board held on 15th March, 2018.

 

E.      South Yorkshire Pensions Authority held on 15th March, 2018.

 

F.      South Yorkshire Police and Crime Panel held on 20th April and 4th June (Annual) 2018.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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

 

A.          Sheffield City Region Combined Authority held on 9th March and 11th June, 2018.

 

B.     Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership Board held on 5th February, 19th March, 8th May and 18th June, 2018.

 

C.     South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority held on 19th February and 9th April,2018.

 

D.     South Yorkshire Pensions Authority Local Pension Board held on 15th March, 2018.

 

E.     South Yorkshire Pensions Authority held on 15th March, 2018.

 

F.     South Yorkshire Police and Crime Panel held on 20th April and 4th June (Annual) 2018.