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 this meeting

Items
No. Item

43.

Declarations of Interest, if any.

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest made at the meeting.

44.

Minutes of the Council Meeting held on 20th September, 2018. pdf icon PDF 102 KB

Minutes:

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Council Meeting held on Thursday, 20th September, 2018, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member, be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

45.

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

Minutes:

The Civic Mayor made the following announcement:-

 

“The Mayor has recently been contacted by AMP Healthcare, who represent a number of GP surgeries in the Borough, requesting the Council acknowledges the important role that Doctors from the Black Asian and Minority Ethnic community have played in improving healthcare in Doncaster over a number of years.

 

Over the last 70 years, many people from all over the world have come to Britain and Doncaster to work in and support the development of our NHS and improve the health of our residents.  An exhibition at the Royal College of GPs has recently highlighted how South Asian doctors kept the family doctor service thriving, particularly for patients in working-class and inner-city areas, by filling the void largely created by UK doctors choosing to work overseas between the 1940s to the 80s.

 

Following Black History Month in October and the ongoing celebrations of 70 years of the NHS, we are also mindful of the contribution made by the Windrush generation many of whom went on to work for the NHS which was introduced shortly afterwards.  More recently, we have had workers from across Europe, Africa and a host of other nations who have settled in the Borough and helped to improve the health and lives of the people of Doncaster.

 

I would therefore like to thank AMP Healthcare for bringing this matter to the Mayor’s attention and on behalf of the Council, wish to express our thanks and gratitude for the valued and important work undertaken by Doctors, nurses and other health professionals working in our hospitals, surgeries and within our communities to improve the health of our residents.”

 

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

 

“This Festive Season Doncaster Council will once again be supporting our residents and Town Centre Businesses by offering free Town Centre car parking from 2.00 p.m. at the Markets, St. George’s and Colonnades car parks.  On Saturdays, Chappell Drive Car Park is free all day and this will be throughout December.  Just a reminder that Council run car parks and on-street pay and display areas are also free on Sundays too.”

 

The Chief Executive, Jo Miller, made the following announcement:-

 

“On behalf of all of the staff, I’d like to wish Mayor Ros Jones all the best on being shortlisted for World Mayor.  The World Mayor Prize exclusively invited female Mayors this year to celebrate the contribution that female Mayors make in the context of suffrage this year. Mayor Jones is the only UK entrant on that shortlist and on behalf of all of the staff, we wish you well. Mayor Jones, we hope that you can bring the prize back to Doncaster.  If anybody wants to vote, you can find out more about it by Googling, ‘World Mayor Prize’.  So all the best from all the workforce to you.”

46.

Questions from the public in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 13.

(a)       Question from Mr. Richard Clark to the Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones:-

 

“Friends of the Earth research show that Hickleton has the worst air quality in the whole of Yorkshire and ranks amongst the most highly polluted areas nationally.  Hickleton was declared an Air Quality Management Area in 2015 but NOx (Nitrogen Oxide) levels have continued to increase and breach national/EU guidelines.  The high NOx levels are entirely due to the close proximity of houses to the road making it unsuitable for the volume of traffic passing daily.  What actions are DMBC planning to reduce NOx levels and improve air quality?”

 

(b)     Question from Mr. Tony Wilson to the Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones:-

 

“When will work start on an improved road structure from the A1 at Marr to the Dearne Valley Parkway at Goldthorpe to incorporate a By Pass as promised many years ago for the village of Hickleton in particular, but also Marr itself.  I have contacted the road haulage association who indicate a 54% increase in road traffic by 2050.  I have also contacted Transport for the North, an independent government backed hub with money to help such a scheme.  It has been highlighted by Sheffield Council as well as Barnsley and indeed yourselves as an area of concern.  2021 and certainly by 2022 to start such a project is surely a target for this Council?”

Minutes:

 

(A)         Question from Mr. Richard Clark to the Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones:-

 

“Friends of the Earth research shows that Hickleton has the worst air quality in the whole of Yorkshire and ranks amongst the most highly polluted areas nationally.  Hickleton was declared an Air Quality Management Area in 2015, but NOx (Nitrogen Oxide) levels have continued to increase and breach national/EU guidelines.  The high NOx levels are entirely due to the close proximity of houses to the road making it unsuitable for the volume of traffic passing daily.  What actions are DMBC planning to reduce NOx levels and improve air quality?”

 

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

 

“Thank you for your question Mr. Clark.  It is the case that the annual concentration of nitrogen dioxide along the A635 in Hickleton is the highest recorded within the Borough.

 

Results also indicate that while concentrations in other areas remain relatively static, Hickleton has seen slight increases over the last 5 years.

 

The high levels at Hickleton may be attributed to the type and volume of traffic, the proximity of buildings to the roadside, the gradient, bends in the road and the A635 being an arterial route from the A1.

 

It is clear that improved vehicle emissions are not having the desired effect on Air Quality. It is clear that further measures will be necessary to achieve compliance with the Air Quality objectives.  Doncaster Council has a Steering Group in place that is looking at new opportunities to improve Air Quality where we can.

 

These action plans are currently being updated and will be published shortly. 

 

The measures in the Air Quality Action Plan focus on Active Travel, Planning Guidance, Bus Partnerships and Fleet Recognition Schemes.  Thank you for your question Mr. Clark.”

 

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

 

“Thank you for your answer.  It is clear that the Action Plan measures that have been proposed are insufficient to tackle the poor air quality.  From everything that we hear from Doncaster’s plans and Barnsley’s plans, the volume of traffic is only going to increase further along the A635.  We know the poor air quality is directly down to the volume of traffic.  I therefore doubt whether any specific measures on air quality being tackled alone, will reduce the NOx levels.

 

There are 19 houses that directly front on to that road; many of them have got young children and I do not think it is fair to the residents to just look at the cost benefit ratio and ignore health.  My question is, we would like a Senior Official from the Council on Air Quality to work with us, so that at least we feel that you are talking to us, you are listening to us and that there may be things that we can agree specifically and jointly that we would find beneficial to us.  So my question is, can we work together and can you nominate  ...  view the full minutes text for item 46.

47.

Community Safety Strategy 2018-21. pdf icon PDF 187 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

 

The Council considered a report, introduced by Councillor Chris McGuinness, Cabinet Member for Communities, Voluntary Sector and the Environment, which sought approval of the Community Safety Strategy 2018-21, following a review of the Strategy.

 

It was reported that the Community Safety Strategy was a statutory plan which required endorsement by Council, but was produced and owned by the multi-agency Safer Stronger Doncaster Partnership (SSDP), acting as Doncaster’s Community Safety Partnership (CSP). The SSDP had a legal duty to work together to tackle crime and disorder, including serious and organised crime, reduce re-offending, tackle anti-social behaviour and to tackle alcohol and substance misuse. 

 

Members noted that the Community Safety Strategy, was produced every 3 years and refreshed annually, and had been produced following consultation in respect of the partnership priorities and included a summary of key achievements and outcomes the Council was seeking to achieve.

 

The notable key achievements over the last year were outlined in detail within the report and included:-

 

·           Tackling Hate Crime

·           County-wide Domestic Abuse Perpetrator Programme

·           Domestic Abuse Victim Services

·           Criminal Damage

·           Tackling Anti-Social Behaviour

·           Prisons

·           Community Tension Monitoring

·           Asylum Seeker Support Services

·           Prevent Agenda

·           Tackling Child Sexual Exploitation

·           Tackling Substance Misuse

·           Operations and signage to tackle motorcycle nuisance

·           Tackling Serious Organised Crime

·           Tackling Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery

 

The key challenges that remained and actions to address them were detailed within the Strategy. 

 

The extensive and robust consultation had identified that the current priorities should remain, as they continued to meet the needs of residents and partners, but that an additional priority of ‘tackling serious and organised crime’ should be added to reflect the current challenges that this particular type of criminality presents. Therefore, the priorities reflected within the strategy are:-

 

·           Protecting Vulnerable People;

·           Reducing Anti-Social Behaviour;

·           Reducing Crime and Re-offending;

·           Tackling Serious and Organised Crime; and

·           Reducing Substance and Alcohol Misuse

 

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

 

RESOLVED that the 2018-21 Community Safety Strategy be endorsed.

48.

Statement of Licensing Policy 2019 - Gambling Act 2005. pdf icon PDF 287 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Council considered a report, introduced by Councillor Chris McGuinness, Cabinet Member for Communities, Voluntary Sector and the Environment, which sought approval for the adoption of the Statement of Licensing Policy 2019 - Gambling Act 2005, following its triennial review.  The route and timetable for adoption were attached as Appendix A to the report for Members’ information.

 

Members were informed that the Licensing Authority was required under the Gambling Act 2005, to produce a Statement of Licensing Policy and to review the Policy at least every 3 years and must be effective by the 31st January, 2019.  There were three licensing objectives set out in the Act and these must be addressed within the Authority’s Statement of Licensing Policy, namely:-

 

·      preventing gambling from being a source of crime or disorder, being associated with crime or disorder or being used to support crime;

·      ensuring that gambling is conducted in a fair and open way; and

·      protecting children and other vulnerable persons from being harmed or exploited by gambling.

 

It was reported that the Policy set out under the three objectives, the steps that needed to be taken by applicants to address these issues.  It also addressed how the Licensing Committee would conduct hearings for applications that could be resolved.

 

It was noted that this was the fifth Statement of Policy produced by Doncaster Council under the Gambling Act 2005, which would set out the basis for all licensing decisions to be taken by the Authority over the next three years.  The statement had been produced following public consultation including those bodies and persons set out in section 1.10 of the Policy document.

 

A notable addition to the Policy was that the Licensing Authority, in its capacity as a responsible authority under the Gambling Act 2005, would actively seek the views of the Director of Public Health on all applications that the Licensing Authority were required to be notified of.  Where applicable, these views would be used to make informed decisions regarding any representation the Licensing Authority may be minded to make.

 

RESOLVED that the reviewed Statement of Licensing Policy 2019 - Gambling Act 2005, be adopted to take effect from 31st January, 2019.

49.

Neighbourhood Planning - Adoption 'Making' of the Armthorpe Neighbourhood Development Plan. pdf icon PDF 264 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 Armthorpe Neighbourhood Development Plan which would form part of Doncaster’s statutory Development Plan.

 

         Members noted that Neighbourhood Planning was introduced by the Localism Act 2011, which gave Town/Parish Councils and communities the power to write their own plans and take more control of planning for their areas.  Armthorpe Parish Council had produced a Neighbourhood Plan for their Parish area and had subsequently undergone a successful examination and Referendum.

 

In accordance with Section 38A of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (as amended) the Council was required to adopt a Neighbourhood Plan as part of the Development Plan, within 8 weeks of the date of a successful Referendum.

 

It was noted that out of an electorate of 10,857, 1,535 electors had cast their vote, with 1,191 people voting in favour to adopt the Neighbourhood Plan, 339 people voting against and 5 rejected ballot papers, resulting in a 14.14% turnout. 

 

The Neighbourhood Plan had been subject to a thorough consultation; the methodology had been examined and had been independently assessed.  The Neighbourhood Plan was successful at Referendum and in the opinion of the Local Planning Authority, had met the basic conditions.  Therefore, in accordance with the Act, the Neighbourhood Plan should now be adopted as part of the Development Plan for Doncaster.

 

To conclude, Councillor McGuinness commended fellow Local Ward Members, Parish Councillors and the residents of Armthorpe for the contribution they had made in the production of the Neighbourhood Plan.

 

RESOLVED the Armthorpe Neighbourhood Plan be adopted as part of the statutory Development Plan for the Borough.

 

50.

Local Government and Housing Act 1989 - 6 Month Review of the Proportional Allocation of Seats on Committees and Sub-Committees (Minute No.13 (19) - 18th May, 2018). pdf icon PDF 248 KB

Minutes:

Further to the above Minute, the Council considered a report on the mid-year review of the proportional allocation of seats on Committees and Sub-Committees appointed by the Council.

 

It was reported that since the Annual Meeting in May, 2018, a by-election had been held on 14th June, 2018 following a casual vacancy that had arisen in the Town Ward, which resulted in Councillor Tosh McDonald being elected to the vacant seat.  However, Members were informed that the overall proportional implications with regard to the proportional allocation of seats on Committees and Sub-Committees appointed by Council remained unchanged, and therefore, no re-calculation of proportionality was required.

 

Members noted that as part of this review, all Political Groups were also given the opportunity to revise their existing appointments on Committees and Sub-Committees of the Council.  Subsequently, the Labour Group had taken the opportunity to revise its existing allocated appointments on Committees and proposed the following changes:-

 

·      Councillor John Gilliver replace Councillor Andrea Robinson on the Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education; and

 

·      Councillor Tosh McDonald replace Councillor Susan Durant on the Communities and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Panel.

 

In noting that Chairs and Vice-Chairs to Committees and Sub-Committees of the Council were appointed at the Council’s Annual Meeting on 18th May, 2018, Members were informed that Councillor Eva Hughes had resigned her position of Chair of the Planning Committee.  Therefore, as a consequence of Councillor Eva Hughes’ resignation, Council was requested to determine the appointment of a replacement Chair of the Committee for the remaining period of the current 2018/19 Municipal Year.

 

Subsequently, it was MOVED by the Deputy Mayor, Councillor Glyn Jones and SECONDED by Councillor John Healy that the Vice-Chair, Councillor Iris Beech, be appointed Chair of the Planning Committee.

 

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

 

Therefore, as the position of Vice-Chair of the Planning Committee had become vacant, it was MOVED by the Deputy Mayor, Councillor Glyn Jones and SECONDED by Councillor David Hughes that Councillor Sue McGuinness be appointed Vice-Chair of the Planning Committee.

 

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

 

RESOLVED:-

 

(1)      to note that there has been no change in the overall proportional implications with regard to the proportional allocation of seats on Committees and Sub-Committees appointed by Council since the Annual Meeting on 18th May, 2018;

 

(2)      that Councillor John Gilliver be appointed as a Labour Group representative to replace Councillor Andrea Robinson to serve on the Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education;

 

(3)      that Councillor Tosh McDonald be appointed as a Labour Group representative to replace Councillor Susan Durant to serve on the Communities and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Panel;

 

(4)      Councillor Iris Beech be appointed as the new Chair of the Planning Committee for the remaining period of the 2018/19 Municipal Year; and

 

(5)      Councillor Sue McGuinness be appointed as Vice-Chair of the Planning Committee for the remaining period of the 2018/19 Municipal Year.

51.

To approve the following Motion, Proposed by Councillor Rachael Blake and Seconded by Councillor Mark Houlbrook, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 16.1.

“Earlier this year, this Council agreed to support the Motor Neurone Disease Charter and we have continued to keep in touch with carers and the South Yorkshire Group.  We can do our part as a Council in ensuring our services are there to support and work with people who have been diagnosed and their carers but it is important that we recognise that changes need to be made nationally.  One such national issue is the Scrap 6 Months campaign.

 

Within the benefit system, people with unpredictable terminal illness are being unfairly excluded for the Special Rules for Terminal Illness process.

 

The Special Rules fast track process currently requires a reasonable expectation of death within 6 months.  This simply does not work for people living with complex and unpredictable terminal conditions.  Instead they are forced to go through the standard application process which is inappropriate and insensitive for people with a terminal illness like motor neurone disease.

 

Notify the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions that this Council supports the MND Associations’ and Marie Curie’s call for the Government to support a change in the law defining a terminal illness so that the 6 months restriction is scrapped.

 

The second reading of the Access to Welfare (Terminal Illness Definition) Bill takes place on 23 November and this Council supports the passing of this Bill.”

Minutes:

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

 

“Earlier this year, this Council agreed to support the Motor Neurone Disease Charter and we have continued to keep in touch with carers and the South Yorkshire Group.  We can do our part as a Council in ensuring our services are there to support and work with people who have been diagnosed and their carers but it is important that we recognise that changes need to be made nationally.  One such national issue is the Scrap 6 Months campaign.

 

Within the benefit system, people with unpredictable terminal illness are being unfairly excluded for the Special Rules for Terminal Illness process.

 

The Special Rules fast track process currently requires a reasonable expectation of death within 6 months.  This simply does not work for people living with complex and unpredictable terminal conditions.  Instead they are forced to go through the standard application process which is inappropriate and insensitive for people with a terminal illness like motor neurone disease.

 

Notify the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions that this Council supports the MND Association’s and Marie Curie’s call for the Government to support a change in the law defining a terminal illness so that the 6 months restriction is scrapped.

 

The second reading of the Access to Welfare (Terminal Illness Definition) Bill takes place on 23 November and this Council supports the passing of this Bill.”

 

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 Rachael Blake, which was declared as follows:-

 

For - 50

 

Against - 0

 

Abstain - 0

 

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

 

RESOLVED that earlier this year, this Council agreed to support the Motor Neurone Disease Charter and we have continued to keep in touch with carers and the South Yorkshire Group.  We can do our part as a Council in ensuring our services are there to support and work with people who have been diagnosed and their carers but it is important that we recognise that changes need to be made nationally. One such national issue is the Scrap 6 Months campaign.

 

Within the benefit system, people with unpredictable terminal illness are being unfairly excluded for the Special Rules for Terminal Illness process.

 

The Special Rules fast track process currently requires a reasonable expectation of death within 6 months.  This simply does not work for people living with complex and unpredictable terminal conditions.  Instead they are forced to go through the standard application process which is inappropriate and insensitive for people with a terminal illness like motor neurone disease.

 

Notify the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions that this Council supports the MND Association’s and Marie Curie’s call for the Government to support a change in the law defining a terminal illness so that the 6 months restriction is scrapped.

 

The second  ...  view the full minutes text for item 51.

52.

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 Tosh McDonald asked the following question:-

 

“It’s been mentioned already in this session about the Town Centre and the need to sort out problems such as begging, such as rough sleeping and substance abuse.  We had the seminar a few weeks ago where we discussed it.  Can you give us an update on how well we are doing at clearing these issues up in the Town Centre, but also attached to that, problems that may be coming about by migration into the residential areas around the Town Centre.  Only recently, I have spoken to somebody on Craithie Road, where the alleyway between Craithie Road and Zetland Road, has had a rough sleeper.  It does seem to be moving further out of the Town.  Can you give us an update on how things are; thank you?”

 

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

 

“We are certainly seeing some improvement, but we have always said it will not be an easy issue.  However, I am going to pass this to Councillor Chris McGuinness because he has got the most up to date statistics that we have got.  Thank you.”

 

A.     Councillor Chris McGuinness gave the following response:-

 

“I did have some figures on the cohort of people, but I don’t have them at the moment. I think your main issue is about the displacement.  If you recall, there was a senior Police Officer sat where I am now, who in September said if there are issues or if people perceive issues of displacement, they would do everything that they could to address it.  If you want to give me some of the areas that you are concerned about, I will take that up with them first thing tomorrow and next week.  We have done the Town Centre earlier on and I think there is some real progress there.  The problem is, one of the things I keep coming back to is every now and again, somebody new presents themselves in any particular week and they are not necessarily from Doncaster.  But, I will follow up on the displacement issue.  Thanks.”

 

Q.   Councillor Rachel Hodson asked the following question:-

 

“Ros, in the Chancellor’s budget last month, he pledged that austerity was coming to an end.  So I ask, how much additional funding will Doncaster be getting.  Is austerity really over for the people of Doncaster, or is it still actually the case that we are having to cut services and our budgets?”

 

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

 

“I would be delighted if I could sit here today and say austerity is over as far as this Council’s budget is concerned.  We know  ...  view the full minutes text for item 52.

53.

To receive the minutes of the following Joint Authorities. pdf icon PDF 114 KB

 

A.        Sheffield City Region Combined Authority held on 10th September, 2018.

 

B.      Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership Board held on 17th September, 2018.

 

C.      South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority held on 17th September, 2018.

 

D.      South Yorkshire Pensions Authority held on 4th October, 2018.

 

E.      South Yorkshire Pensions Authority Local Pensions Board held on 4th October, 2018

 

F.      South Yorkshire Police and Crime Panel held on 3rd September, 2018.

 

G.      Team Doncaster Strategic Partnership held on 17th July and 28th August, 2018.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

RESOLVED that the minutes of the following Joint Authorities be noted:-

 

A.     Sheffield City Region Combined Authority held on 10th September, 2018.

 

B.    Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership Board held on 17th September, 2018.

 

C.   South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority held on 17th September, 2018.

 

D.   South Yorkshire Pensions Authority held on 4th October, 2018.

 

E.    South Yorkshire Pensions Authority Local Pensions Board held on 4th October, 2018

 

F.    South Yorkshire Police and Crime Panel held on 3rd September, 2018.

 

G.   Team Doncaster Strategic Partnership held on 17th July and 28th August, 2018