Agenda and minutes

Venue: Microsoft Teams - Virtual Meeting. View directions

Contact: David Taylor  01302 736712

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

Items
No. Item

16.

Declarations of Interest, if any

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest made at the meeting.

17.

Minutes of the Annual Council Meeting held on 24th September, 2020 pdf icon PDF 131 KB

Minutes:

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Annual Council Meeting held on Thursday, 24th September, 2020, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member, be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

18.

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

Minutes:

The Chair of Council, Councillor Paul Wray, made the following announcement:-

 

“On Remembrance Sunday, a small Civic Party, including myself, Mayor Jones, the Vice Lord-Lieutenant, High Sheriff, Canon Stevens, Chief Executive, Dame Rosie Winterton, MP, Ben Parkinson, representatives from the Royal British Legion and Her Majesty’s Armed Forces, held a small service of Remembrance at the War Memorial on Bennetthorpe to remember all those servicemen and women who gave their lives in two World Wars and later conflicts.

 

On the 11th of November at 11 a.m., we also observed a two minute silence on the steps of the Mansion House.

 

Both events were much smaller in scale than previous years due to the restrictions we are all living and working under, but it was only right that we marked these occasions with the reverence and solemnity that they deserved, and I was honoured to be a part of the service.

 

Both events were filmed and put on social media, and can be viewed on the Visit Doncaster Facebook page.”

 

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

 

Since the 5th of November, the Country has once again entered into a period where further restrictions have been placed on our lives.  The conditions of operation and the context are much different than the lock-down from March to June.  We know that Council services provide a lifeline to many individuals and businesses in the community, so I want to make sure our residents know that Doncaster Council is open for business.  In addition, we have increased our local capacity to support our Local Test and Trace Team, support to the clinically extremely vulnerable, strengthening our Town Centre marshalling capacity and making business support payments.

 

The infection rates for Doncaster are dropping, which is positive, but I need to emphasise the importance of following the guidelines.  The faster we can get infection rates down, the better chance we have of being able to spend Christmas with our friends and family, but I will not lie to you, this festive season will be very different.

 

We are putting the necessary building blocks in place to support Doncaster to get ready for the next phase and our focus continues to be on protecting lives and livelihoods.  As we start our Christmas shopping, please back our local businesses.  You will find that many are now online or offer click and collect services.  The more we support our local businesses as residents, the more we support local jobs and enterprise.

 

My second announcement is that it has been a year since many communities across Doncaster were hit by the devastating floods. It was an awful time for many and we know some are still suffering one year on.  My thoughts are with those who are still trying to get their lives back to some degree of normality.

 

Despite the impact of the COVID-19 emergency, a significant amount of work has been carried out already to prepare for whatever weather the winter months may bring  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.

19.

In accordance with the Council's Petition Scheme, to receive the presentation of a Petition relating to the Defence of Conisbrough, Denaby & Old Denaby from flooding.

 

(The Council has received a petition from Councillor Lani-Mae Ball, the petition organiser, containing over 1156 signatures from constituents, stating that the residents of Conisbrough and Denaby have been let down badly by the government, including the Environment Agency, to provide adequate protection within the villages in terms of pro-active maintenance of the River Don/Kearsley Brook and the creation of flood defences at the River Don/Kearsley Brook.  This cannot continue and the people of these villages deserve better.  We demand the Environment Agency fully fund flood defence of these areas and regularly maintain the existing water courses.  After the floods of 2007 and now 2019, the people of this area note the scheme delivered at Meadowhall, Sheffield and are concerned that such defences may increase flood risk further down the Don Valley, leaving people and communities vulnerable.)

Minutes:

Before inviting the Petition Organiser to speak, the Chair of Council, Councillor Paul Wray, outlined the procedure to be followed.  The Chair of Council explained that the Petition Organiser would be given a period of 5 minutes to present the Petition and as the Petition was below the 10,000 signature threshold, there would be no discussion or debate involving Elected Members.  Upon conclusion of the presentation, the Petition would be referred to the appropriate Executive Member.

 

The Petition Organiser, Councillor Lani-Mae Ball, was invited to present the Petition.

 

Upon completion of the presentation, the Chair of Council thanked Councillor Ball for her presentation and formally accepted the Petition on behalf of the Council, and confirmed that the Petition would be referred to the appropriate Executive Member, Councillor Chris McGuinness, Cabinet Member for Communities, Voluntary Sector and the Environment, for consideration.

 

RESOLVED that the Petition relating to the Defence of Conisbrough, Denaby & Old Denaby from flooding,be referred to the Executive for consideration.

20.

Questions from the public in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 13

(a)   Question from Mr Glen Bluff to the Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones:-

 

“How much does the Council have invested as part of its treasury management that is due to mature between now and the end of 2020 and would it not be more prudent for the council to re-invest this money in local businesses impacted by COVID, rather than invest our money externally?”

Minutes:

(a)   Question from Mr Glen Bluff to the Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones:-

 

“How much does the Council have invested as part of its treasury management that is due to mature between now and the end of 2020 and would it not be more prudent for the Council to re-invest this money in local businesses impacted by COVID, rather than invest our money externally?”

 

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

 

“The Council has £15m invested that will mature between 19th November and 31st December, 2020.  A further £35m will mature between 1st January and 31st March, 2021.  The Council is required to operate a balanced budget which broadly means that cash raised during the year, will meet cash expenditure.  The Council’s Treasury Management Strategy, approved each year by Full Council, sets out how balances are invested.  Of primary concern in the strategy are liquidity and security; in other words, ensuring cash is available when it needs to be spent on the delivery of services and ensuring that investments are only made with low risk financial institutions.  The Treasury Management Strategy is written to comply with the Local Government Act 2003, CIPFA Prudential Code, MHCLG MRP guidance, the CIPFA Treasury Management Code and the MHCLG Investment Guidance.  Therefore, there is no scope for investing surplus cash balances locally as suggested, unless there is a national change in legislation.

 

The Council is however, doing what it can to support local businesses through distribution of national government grants to businesses forced to close or impacted. £60m has been distributed to over 5,000 businesses.  We are currently administering business grants for those businesses required to close and who have been impacted by the localised restrictions. In addition, £30m is being channelled via Sheffield City Region, to provide additional financial support to businesses impacted by the localised and national restrictions.”

 

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

 

“Thank you for your response Mayor Jones.  I have checked the documentation and legislation you quoted in your response, and I believe there is no need for a change in legislation.  Would it be possible for some of the funds that are maturing in this period, to be used as loans as described in the guidance documents you mentioned, as a potential less prudent method of raising funds for the Council, but could they be offered as loans to some of the businesses in Doncaster?”

 

In response, the Mayor gave the following reply:-

 

“Thank you for your question.  The advice I have been given is that we have got to invest prudently and we take this through Council every year on how investments will be made, but I will refer your supplementary question to the Director of Corporate Services, and ask if there is any way.  However, given the advice we have been given, that will be very difficult to achieve, but there are other loans through the Sheffield City Region, if they meet the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 20.

21.

Statement of Licensing Policy 2021 - Licensing Act 2003 pdf icon PDF 176 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Council considered a report, presented by the Deputy Mayor, Councillor Glyn Jones and the Licensing Officer, David Smith, which requested Elected Members to consider the Statement of Licensing Policy 2021 (Licensing Act 2003) following its quinquennial review.

 

It was reported that Doncaster Council as the Licensing Authority, was required under the 2003 Act, to produce a Statement of Policy and review the Policy every 5 years which included a period of statutory consultation.  The Licensing Service had compared the re-issued Home Office Guidance, made under Section 182 of the Act, with the Council’s existing policy statement and made amendments to reflect the new statutory guidance and other legislative changes.  In addition, suggested changes were received from the Police along with the inclusion of locally adopted schemes, which had now been incorporated into the revised Policy Statement.

 

Members were informed that the four licensing objectives set out in the Act, must be addressed within the Authority’s Statement of Licensing Policy, which were:-

 

   Prevention of Crime and Disorder;

 

   Public Safety;

 

   Prevention of Public Nuisance; and

 

   Protection of Children from Harm.

 

It was also reported that the Policy set out, with reference to the four objectives, the steps which needed to be taken by applicants to address these issues, and also set out how the Licensing Committee would conduct hearings for applications that could not be resolved.  The delegation of duties to the Licensing Committee were prescribed within the Act and Members of that Committee and any Sub-Committee, would have to have a detailed knowledge of the Policy and its implications for applicants.  Decisions of the relevant Committees must state how decisions had been made and how the relevant parts of the Policy had been used to make that decision.

 

The responses and suggested actions resulting from the statutory consultation and a summary of the amendments from the existing 2016 Policy, were outlined within Appendices A and Appendix C respectively.

 

Following the presentation of the report, Members were afforded the opportunity to comment on the Policy and after consideration of the responses received during the consultation, and the recommendation of the Licensing Committee held on 17th September, 2020, it was

 

RESOLVED that the reviewed Statement of Policy 2021 (Licensing Act 2003) be approved and adopted to take effect from 7th January, 2021.

22.

Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report 2019/20 pdf icon PDF 181 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Council considered the Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report, which highlighted the progress of Doncaster Council’s Overview and Scrutiny function during 2019/20.  The report also provided a summary of the work undertaken by the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee (OSMC) and its four Standing Panels, and highlighted some of the key achievements and the impacts that Overview and Scrutiny had made over the past year, and identified priorities for 2019/20.

 

In presenting the report, Councillor Jane Kidd, Chair of the OSMC, pointed out that the Overview & Scrutiny Annual Report was usually presented to Council at the ordinary Council meeting following the Annual Council Meeting, and that whilst keeping with this practice, the change to the Council’s meeting schedule had resulted in presenting the report later in the year.

 

It was reported that the period covered by the report was 1st April, 2019 to 31st March, 2020 which mainly reflected a time before the lives of the Borough’s residents and communities were so profoundly changed by the COVID pandemic.  When the 2020/21 report was presented to Council next year, it would include details of the important work which had been undertaken through virtual meetings during this challenging period.

 

Members’ noted that the Annual Report highlighted a number of activities and achievements that were important, including how Overview and Scrutiny had engaged with the public and partners, had held decision makers to account, contributed to policy development and provided an opportunity for Members to consider issues they felt were important to residents of the Borough.  The report also identified some of Overview and Scrutiny’s priorities moving forward for 2020/21 and that consideration of a number of these issues were already well underway.

 

It was also reported that much of Scrutiny’s work had been driven by the wider strategic objectives of Doncaster Growing Together and the priorities detailed in the Corporate Plan.  It had also been responsive enough to consider issues that had arisen during the course of the year, such as the wider impacts of the flooding emergency of November, 2019.

 

Councillor Kidd drew Members’ attention to an important piece of work where Overview and Scrutiny helped shape and influence decision making, where significant work had been undertaken by OSMC during Autumn 2019, to review the use of Ward Member budgets as a means of engaging and supporting communities to deliver important local initiatives and priorities.  All Members were invited to participate and contribute to this review and OSMC’s recommendations to establish a process of priority setting and review of applications at regular Ward Meetings, were agreed by the Executive.  Whilst it was not possible to implement the Ward Member budget arrangements in the way they were originally envisaged, the key principles for establishing the scheme were used to enable Ward Members to support and respond to their communities during the early stages of the COVID pandemic, and initial lockdown period.  OSMC would continue to review Ward budgets and other Locality issues during the course of the year.

 

In concluding her presentation,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 22.

23.

To consider the following Motion, written notice of which has been given by Councillor Tosh McDonald and Seconded by Councillor John Healy, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 16.1

“This Authority looks to support the NUM campaign by raising the awareness of a longstanding issue that is seen as critical in context of the Covid-19 crisis, namely ensuring that the correct cause of death, including any underlying occupational diseases, is listed on the death certificate of former mineworkers to ensure proper compensation can be accessed by the bereaved widow and families.

 

More broadly, this Authority wants Ministers to do more to support healthcare and wider regeneration in former coalfield areas which we know suffer disproportionally from poor health and lower life expectancy.  Given that recently released data from the ONS shows our communities as some of the hardest hit during this pandemic, it is critical these issues are looked at in more serious detail.

 

We ask the Mayor Ros Jones to write, on behalf of this Council, to all Doncaster area MP’s, Jonathan Ashworth MP Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, David Lammy MP Shadow Secretary of State for Justice, Rt Hon Robert Buckland QC MP, Secretary of State for Justice and Matt Hancock MP Secretary of State for Health and Social Care.”

Minutes:

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 16.1, a Motion was submitted by Councillor Tosh McDonald and Seconded by Councillor John Healy:-

 

“This Authority looks to support the NUM campaign by raising the awareness of a longstanding issue that is seen as critical in context of the Covid-19 crisis, namely ensuring that the correct cause of death, including any underlying occupational diseases, is listed on the death certificate of former mineworkers to ensure proper compensation can be accessed by the bereaved widow and families.

 

More broadly, this Authority wants Ministers to do more to support healthcare and wider regeneration in former coalfield areas, which we know suffer disproportionally from poor health and lower life expectancy.  Given that recently released data from the ONS shows our communities as some of the hardest hit during this pandemic, it is critical these issues are looked at in more serious detail.

 

We ask the Mayor Ros Jones to write, on behalf of this Council, to all Doncaster area MP’s, Jonathan Ashworth MP Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, David Lammy MP Shadow Secretary of State for Justice, Rt Hon Robert Buckland QC MP, Secretary of State for Justice and Matt Hancock MP Secretary of State for Health and Social Care.”

 

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 Tosh McDonald, which was declared CARRIED.

 

RESOLVED that this Authority looks to support the NUM campaign by raising the awareness of a longstanding issue that is seen as critical in context of the Covid-19 crisis, namely ensuring that the correct cause of death, including any underlying occupational diseases, is listed on the death certificate of former mineworkers to ensure proper compensation can be accessed by the bereaved widow and families.

 

More broadly, this Authority wants Ministers to do more to support healthcare and wider regeneration in former coalfield areas, which we know suffer disproportionally from poor health and lower life expectancy.  Given that recently released data from the ONS shows our communities as some of the hardest hit during this pandemic, it is critical these issues are looked at in more serious detail.

 

We ask the Mayor Ros Jones to write, on behalf of this Council, to all Doncaster area MP’s, Jonathan Ashworth MP Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, David Lammy MP Shadow Secretary of State for Justice, Rt Hon Robert Buckland QC MP, Secretary of State for Justice and Matt Hancock MP Secretary of State for Health and Social Care.

24.

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

(i)        Questions on Notice to the Executive:-

 

(a)     Question from Councillor Nick Allen to the Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones:-

 

“What steps have you implemented to support landlords in Doncaster during the pandemic?  Would you consider introducing some scale of Council Tax relief for landlords who have been affected by the extra charges levelled on owning a property which has been empty for two years or more.”

 

(b)     Question from Councillor Jane Cox to the Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones:-

 

“Could the Mayor please give a detailed breakdown of what the initial £1 million that has been drawn down from the Town Fund will be spent on.  Does she consider these schemes to be good value for money given the current state of the town centre with many empty shops.  Would the money have been better spent on enhancing the look of the High Street?”

 

(ii)          Questions without Notice to the Executive and the Chairs of Committees.

 

Minutes:

A.     Questions on Notice

 

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

 

(a)   From Councillor Nick Allen to the Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones:-

 

Q.“What steps have you implemented to support landlords in Doncaster during the pandemic?  Would you consider introducing some scale of Council Tax relief for landlords who have been affected by the extra charges levelled on owning a property which has been empty for two years or more?”

 

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

 

“Like many Councils, Doncaster faces a continuing shortage of housing and bringing empty properties back into use is one of the main ways to provide much needed additional housing across the Borough.  From 1st April 2020, we took advantage of the legislative provision to increase the amount of Council Tax charged for properties that have been empty for more than two years.

 

Doncaster Council does have discretion to reduce Council Tax charges on the grounds of financial hardship and where this is in the interests of local Council Tax payers.  The cost of reducing charges in these circumstances has to be met by the Council and ultimately, by other Council Tax payers through future increases.

 

This is only considered in exceptional circumstances and the criteria for awarding relief is that there is clear evidence of financial hardship/circumstances that justifies a reduction, and that it is reasonable to award a reduction having regard to the interests of other Council Tax payers who have to meet the cost.

 

If businesses are suffering financial problems, they can apply for a reduction by providing suitable evidence such as accounts.

 

We have also provided a 3 month payment holiday and longer payment terms which many businesses have made use of.

 

In doing so, I feel we have struck a balance between being sympathetic to the financial challenges faced by businesses, whilst balancing the financial challenges being faced by the Council.

 

Unfortunately, landlords are not the only ones to be lacking support from Government.  There are a number of other sectors that have been let down, including some SMEs, freelance professionals, the recently self-employed and those Company Directors who for years have rightly or wrongly, but perfectly legally, paid themselves mainly in dividends. May I suggest you contact Government and your own party leadership, and find financial support for these sectors which have been left to fall through the cracks.

 

(b)   From Councillor Jane Cox to the Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones:-

 

Q.“Could the Mayor please give a detailed breakdown of what the initial £1m that has been drawn down from the Town Fund will be spent on.  Does she consider these schemes to be good value for money given the current state of the Town Centre with many empty shops.  Would the money have been better spent on enhancing the look of the High Street?”

 

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

 

“Thank you  ...  view the full minutes text for item 24.

25.

To receive the minutes of the following Joint Authorities pdf icon PDF 232 KB

 

A.        Sheffield City Region Mayoral Combined Authority Board held on 15th April, 1st June and 27th July, 2020.

 

B.      Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership Board held on 5th March, 21st May and 16th July, 2020.

 

C.      South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority held on 10th February, 22nd June (Annual) 22nd June (Ordinary) 27th July and 14th September, 2020.

 

D.      South Yorkshire Pensions Authority Local Pension Board held on 13th February and 23rd July, 2020.

 

E.      South Yorkshire Pensions Authority held on 12th September, 2019 and 23rd January, 19th March, 11th June (Annual) 11th June (Ordinary) and 10th September, 2020.

 

F.      South Yorkshire Police and Crime Panel held on 6th February, 8th June and 20th July, 2020.

 

G.      Team Doncaster Strategic Partnership held on 21st January, 2020.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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

 

A.           Sheffield City Region Mayoral Combined Authority Board held on 15th April, 1st June and 27th July, 2020;

 

B.        Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership Board held on 5th March, 21st May and 16th July, 2020;

 

C.        South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority held on 10th February, 22nd June (Annual) 22nd June (Ordinary) 27th July and 14th September, 2020;

 

D.        South Yorkshire Pensions Authority Local Pension Board held on 13th February and 23rd July, 2020;

 

E.        South Yorkshire Pensions Authority held on 12th September, 2019 and 23rd January, 19th March, 11th June (Annual) 11th June (Ordinary) and 10th September, 2020;

 

F.         South Yorkshire Police and Crime Panel held on 6th February, 8th June and 20th July, 2020; and

 

G.        Team Doncaster Strategic Partnership held on 21st January, 2020.