Agenda and minutes

Prior to the commencement of formal business, Elected Members, Officers and members of the public, observed a minute’s silence as a mark of respect and remembrance in relation to the recent deaths of former Councillors Jack Fox and Moira Hood.

Councillors Nick Allen, Nigel Cannings, Bev Chapman, Mark Houlbrook and Jane Nightingale declared a non-disclosable interest in Agenda Item 11.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Council Meeting held on Thursday, 21st January, 2021, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member, be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

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

“A week ago, the Prime Minister released the planned roadmap out of coronavirus restrictions. In Doncaster, we have made good progress to reduce the rates of infection and hospitalisation, but we must not become complacent.  We still need to follow the guidelines to limit the spread of the virus, protect our NHS, and to save lives.

Our NHS is doing a sterling job at distributing the vaccines and the roadmap out of restrictions gives us some hope for a return to normality in the summer, but I cannot stress enough the potential for these dates to slip by a number of weeks if we see a considerable rise in infection rates and hospitalisation. Government has said that this will be the last lock-down, but the possibility of regional or localised restrictions is not off the table.

I have recently launched my Spring Sprint Plan, to support the roll-out of the vaccine and support our businesses and our residents, including by increasing the self-isolation payments to provide a safety net to those people who by no fault of their own, have to work in order to ensure they can afford to survive and put food on the table.

So, I ask the people of Doncaster to follow the rules, to continue driving down the rate of infection and then we may be able to start to re-open society as we know it.”

Councillor Chris McGuinness made the following announcement:-

“We discussed at some length at the last meeting that we would have a Members Seminar to look at the Environment and Sustainability Strategy, and the issue of becoming net zero carbon. The first meeting was last Friday and was reasonably well attended. There will be a second meeting quite soon, and once a date is agreed, the papers will be circulated to everyone who will all be invited to attend, and Members used the LGA handbook which provided some example questions, of which we used 4 out of 9. The feedback will form part of the papers for the next meeting, so Members who did not attend have not missed anything and will have sight of all the information moving forward. We need to make progress and we will be carrying on with these meetings as soon as we can. Thank you.”

None received for this meeting.

There were no questions from members of the public for this meeting.

The Council considered a report, presented by the Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones, which sought approval of an updated Corporate Plan for 2021/22, which reflected the transition to a new Borough Strategy which would replace the Doncaster Growing Together (DGT) Plan.

The Mayor was pleased to propose a new Plan to set out the Council’s priorities for the next financial year which was being presented alongside the budget proposals to both shape and set the Council’s future strategy. 

The Mayor stated that responding to the COVID pandemic had dominated the past year.  In the face of an unprecedented health and economic crisis, the Council had delivered for its communities as part of an incredible Team Doncaster effort, to save lives, provide care and stop the virus spreading. The Mayor reported that the Council had been proactive in ensuring children, young people and families, had the support they needed, for example, through a bespoke free school meals offer which was good practice that had been recognised nationally by the Department for Education.  Financial support had also been provided to those whose businesses and livelihoods had been affected, and the employment hub had been used to support those who had found themselves out of work or at risk of redundancy.

It was reported that the Council had also continued to deliver key services and new homes and major projects, and the Mayor was pleased to see that exhibits were being added to the new Danum Gallery, Library and Museum, which was due to open this year and particularly, the ‘Atlantic 251’ and the ‘Green Arrow’ locomotives which had been built in Doncaster, and would play a key part in the Rail Heritage Centre.

Members noted that close by, there was a new University Technical College which would develop the digital and engineering skills needed for the rail industry of the future and it was also great to see the completion of the Junction 5 link to Stainforth and Unity, which would help unlock thousands of jobs and homes.

Responding to and recovering from the pandemic would be the Council’s number one priority and Members noted that the new Corporate Plan reflected this imperative whilst continuing to provide Council services and protect its most vulnerable residents, whilst working in a safe environment. However, the Council also needed to look ahead as itsambitions for the Borough must respond to a number of seismic challenges.  The climate change and biodiversity crisis remained a profound pressure. Flooding was an example of how this impacted on local wellbeing.  The pandemic had worsened inequalities in society, for example, for vulnerable people with underlying health conditions or for those on low incomes, and the Council must also support residents of all ages to catch up on lost earnings and learning.

It was also reported that the Corporate Plan marked the transition to a new Borough Strategy.  At its centre was the need to balance the wellbeing of people and the planet as you could not have one without  ...  view the full minutes text for item 41.

Prior to Council’s consideration of the report, the Chair of Council, Councillor Paul Wray, reminded Members of the legal requirement to include in the minutes, details of how each Elected Member had voted on decisions relating to the budget and level of Council Tax. Therefore, items 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 would all be subject to a recorded vote and voting preferences would be documented in the minutes of this meeting.

Subsequently, the Council considered a report which was presented by the Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones, which outlined the Capital Strategy and Capital Programme Budget proposals for the next four years, 2021/22 to 2024/25.

The Mayor stated the Council was continuing to invest in the future of the Borough despite the tough economic climate with over £340m capital spend planned over the next four years.  Through this investment, residents across the Borough would benefit from continued investment in the Borough’s schools, leisure centres, roads, markets and affordable housing.

It was reported that following the Council’s declaration of a Climate & Biodiversity Emergency in 2019, and the subsequent actions undertaken through the establishment of a Doncaster Climate Commission, production of a new Environment & Sustainability Strategy and Net Zero Carbon Masterplan, the Council proposed to commence a programme of activities to decarbonise its buildings, operations and energy supply, beginning with a £2.6m investment in 2021/22.  The budget also provided funding for considerable tree planting as well as the naturalisation of some grassed areas with wildflowers, and continuing investment in electric vehicles as part of the Council fleet. 

Members were informed that £174.1m would be invested in the Council’s social housing stock over the next four years, covering maintenance, adaptions and the ambitious new build programme.  This also included energy efficiency improvements to respond to climate change, respond to Fly Tipping and reduce the Council’s carbon footprint, and help to keep the Council’s tenants warm whilst also saving them money.

It was reported that the budget included £3.2m to improve Parks across the Borough and £2.0m for a phased investment in leisure facilities continuing to provide access to swimming, indoor sports and gymnasium facilities.

In concluding her presentation of the report, the Mayor was hopeful that the Prime Minister would stand by his words and level up the North; Doncaster was ready and waiting for investment, and had schemes ready.

Following the presentation of the Capital Strategy and Capital Budget proposals, 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 - 46

The Vice-Chair of Council, Councillor Andrea Robinson, 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, Joe Blackham, Nigel Cannings, Phil Cole, Mick Cooper, Jane Cox, Steve Cox, Linda Curran, George Derx, Susan Durant, John Gilliver, Martin Greenhalgh, Pat Haith, John Healy, Rachel Hodson, Charlie Hogarth, Mark Houlbrook, David  ...  view the full minutes text for item 42.

The Council considered a report, presented by the Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones, which sought approval of the Treasury Management Strategy Statement for 2021/22 to 2024/25, which provided details of the Strategy for the management of the Council’s finances, and provided a framework for the operation of the Treasury Management Strategy function within the Council.

It was reported that Treasury Management seeks to optimise the Council’s cash flow and secure the most effective arrangements to support the long-term funding requirement.  The Key Prudential Indicators relating to borrowing limits were detailed in the report.

Following the presentation of the Treasury Management Strategy Statement, 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 - 47

The Vice-Chair of Council, Councillor Andrea Robinson, 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, Joe Blackham, Nigel Cannings, Bev Chapman, Phil Cole, Mick Cooper, Jane Cox, Steve Cox, Linda Curran, George Derx, Susan Durant, John Gilliver, Martin Greenhalgh, Pat Haith, John Healy, Rachel Hodson, Charlie Hogarth, Mark Houlbrook, David Hughes, Eva Hughes, Richard A Jones, Majid Khan, Jane Kidd, Nikki McDonald, Tosh McDonald, Chris McGuinness, Sue McGuinness, Bill Mordue, David Nevett, Jane Nightingale, Ian Pearson, Andy Pickering, Cynthia Ransome, Tina Reid, Kevin Rodgers, Dave Shaw, Frank Tyas, Austen White, Sue Wilkinson and Jonathan Wood.

Against - 0

Abstain - 2

Councillors Bev Chapman and Sean Gibbons.

On being put to the meeting, the recommendations contained within the report were declared CARRIED.

RESOLVED that

(1)      the Treasury Management Strategy Statement 2021/22 to 2024/25 and the Prudential Indicators included, be approved; and

(2)      the Minimum Revenue Provision Policy, as detailed within paragraphs 39 to 40 and in Appendix B of the report, be approved.

The Council considered a report, presented by the Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones, which sought approval of the Revenue Budget proposals for 2021/22 to 2023/24.

The Mayor stated that despite significant financial challenges, a balanced budget was being proposed for the next 3 years, which continued to support residents, communities and the local economy, maintaining a strong focus on supporting vulnerable people and improving the environment.  Since 2010, the Council’s spending power had been reduced by £107m (29%); this represented a £350 cut per Doncaster resident.  The COVID-19 pandemic had placed unprecedented stress on Council services and these ultimately impacted on the budget through increased costs and reduced income streams.  The additional funding provided by Government had helped ease the financial pressures however, the future financial position remained extremely uncertain.

The Mayor reported that the budget included £11.7m over the next 3 years for service budget pressures.  This provided additional funding for Children and Adult Services to meet the increasing demands on these services, support for the Council’s partners, Doncaster Culture and Leisure Trust and increasing the funding for the Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme, which continued to provide a much needed safety net for those on low incomes who were more likely to have been badly impacted by the current pandemic at no fault of their own.  It also provided additional funding to target Fly Tipping, it supported the continuation of the Advance Employment Support Programme and further targeted investment to tackle climate change through the creation of a sustainability unit. 

The Mayor pointed out that overall the Council was facing a budget gap of £18.9m over the next 3 years, with the biggest impact of £15.2m in 2021/22.  The budget was balanced over the 3 years once COVID-19 funds were used, ensuring that sufficient general uncommitted reserves were maintained for unforeseen events in the future such as flooding. 

It was reported that the budget included an increase in Council Tax of 2.9% in 2021/22, which would generate £3.3m to help meet the pressures identified.  This included a 1.4% Council Tax increase and a further 1.5% increase through the Government’s Social Care ‘Precept’, which supported elderly and vulnerable residents, which was below the maximum allowable increase of 5%, which the Government encouraged the Council to implement.  This equated to an additional 52p per week for Band A and 78p per week for Band D, and meant that Doncaster would continue to have one of the lowest Council Taxes in Councils of its size in the country (11th lowest in 2020/21) and the lowest in South Yorkshire.  The budget also included a freeze on the vast majority of the Council’s fees and charges.

Members were informed that the overall gross Revenue Budget for the Council in 2021/22 was £503.5m, but noted that although the Council had set a balanced budget over 3 years, the financial position remained uncertain over the medium-term, as the Council was facing significant volatility in its costs and levels of income, in addition to uncertainty in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 44.

The Council considered a report, presented by the Deputy Mayor, Councillor Glyn Jones, Cabinet Member for Housing and Equalities, which detailed the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Budget proposals for the 2021/21 financial year, and the medium term financial forecast for the following three years, which had a budget to break even.

The Deputy Mayor stated that the Council was proud of its low rents in Doncaster which made good quality homes affordable for over 20,000 households across the Borough, but rents had to be increased this year and in future years, to enable the Council to continue to deliver excellent day to day services for tenants, to continue to collect more rent as the changes to Universal Credit continued to be rolled out, and to invest in properties to maintain them at the Doncaster Decency Standard.

Members were informed that Government consultation would commence during 2021 on a revised decency standard, Decent Homes 2, and all stakeholders including tenants, would be asked to contribute to this consultation.

The Deputy Mayor pointed out that the Council wanted to invest over and above all of this, as following the publication of the draft Building Safety Bill, there was an increased focus on health, safety and compliance, and the Council needed to invest to ensure that its properties continued to be safe for its tenants.   The Council was not waiting for this Bill to become an Act to address some issues, for example, the Capital Budget had almost £5m included therein to improve the fire safety in properties.  In addition to this, the Council also wanted to ensure that all its properties were as energy efficient as possible, to reduce fuel bills for tenants and also the carbon footprint of its homes.  Subsequently, a report had been commissioned which would outline the work required on all the Council owned properties to achieve the zero carbon standard.

It was reported that the HRA would continue to fund in excess of £30m of investment per year into the Council housing stock over the next four years.  In addition, the Council had approved funding to deliver the Council House New Build Programme; the details of which were outlined at Cabinet on 12th January, 2021.  When this programme was approved by Council last year, it was anticipated that the Council would deliver the programme over 10 years, but the Council had condensed that to 5 years to bring the much needed new homes into the Borough sooner.

Following the presentation of the HRA, 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 - 49

The Chair of Council, Councillor Paul Wray, the Vice-Chair of Council, Councillor Andrea Robinson, 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, Joe Blackham, Nigel Cannings, Bev Chapman, Phil Cole, Mick  ...  view the full minutes text for item 45.

The Council considered a report, presented by the Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones, which set out how the Council Tax was calculated and sought approval regarding Doncaster Council’s Council Tax requirement for 2021/22.

The Mayor stated that the report set the Council Tax across the Borough based on the Revenue Budget report which had been considered and agreed at the meeting today.  It was proposed that Doncaster Council’s element of the Band D Council Tax charge be increased by 2.9% for 2021/22 to £1,446.10.  The proposals included an increase in the core Council Tax of 1.4%, as set out in the 2020/21 Revenue Budget report, and an increase in the Adult Social Care precept of 1.5%.

It was reported that just under 88% of domestic properties in Doncaster, fell into Bands A, B and C, with 58% falling in Band A.  The proposals equated to a charge of £964.07 for a Band A property, which was an increase of 52p per week. 

Members were also informed that the report included increases in Council Taxes of the Joint Authorities (South Yorkshire Police and South Yorkshire Fire) which represented an overall increase of 3.41% for Doncaster residents.

Following the presentation of the report, 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 - 37

The Chair of Council, Councillor Paul Wray, the Vice-Chair of Council, Councillor Andrea Robinson, the Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones, the Deputy Mayor, Councillor Glyn Jones, and Councillors Duncan Anderson, Lani-Mae Ball, Nigel Ball, Iris Beech, Joe Blackham, Phil Cole, Mick Cooper, Linda Curran, George Derx, Susan Durant, John Gilliver, Pat Haith, John Healy, Rachel Hodson, Charlie Hogarth, Mark Houlbrook, David Hughes, Eva Hughes, Majid Khan, Jane Kidd, Nikki McDonald, Tosh McDonald, Chris McGuinness, Sue McGuinness, Bill Mordue, David Nevett, Jane Nightingale, Ian Pearson, Kevin Rodgers, Dave Shaw, Frank Tyas, Austen White and Sue Wilkinson.

Against - 0

Abstain - 12

Councillors Nick Allen, Nigel Cannings, Bev Chapman, Jane Cox, Steve Cox, Sean Gibbons, Martin Greenhalgh, Richard A Jones, Andy Pickering, Cynthia Ransome, Tina Reid and Jonathan Wood.

On being put to the meeting, the recommendations contained within the report were declared CARRIED.

RESOLVED that Council approved a Band D Council Tax for 2021/22 of £1,446.10 for Doncaster Council services and passed the appropriate Statutory Resolutions, as detailed within Appendix B of the report, which incorporated the Council Taxes of the Joint Authorities and which, taken together with Doncaster's 2.90% increase, represented a 3.41% increase from the 2020/21 Council Tax for Doncaster residents.

The Council considered a report on the Annual Pay Policy Statement for 2021/22, which was presented by Councillor Jane Nightingale, Cabinet Member for Customer and Corporate Services, which set out the Council’s policy for the pay of the workforce, particularly senior staff, and detailed the ratios between the highest, lowest and average paid employees in the organisation.

Councillor Nightingale stated that the Policy Statement was a public document and was published on the Council’s website each year, and demonstrated clear public accountability, transparency and fairness in setting pay.  It also included information about where more detailed salary information was published as part of the Council’s Annual Statement of Accounts.

It was proposed that the same format be used this year as in previous years, with the following observations:-

(i)         There had been minimal changes to the ratios this year.  National pay award negotiations had not yet been concluded for 2021/22;

(ii)        The current ratio between the highest paid salary and lowest employee salary remained at 9.46 to 1 this year;

(iii)       The ratio between the highest employee salary and average employee salary had remained the same at 6.20 to 1, although the average salary had increased by £745 per annum;

(iv)        All pay ratios remained well within the threshold considered by the Hutton Review that should be no greater than 20 to 1; and

(v)        The Council remained committed to reduce the pay difference and increase low pay.

It was reported that it was anticipated that this Policy may need to be amended during the period it covered which was from 1st April, 2021 to 31st March, 2022 should a national pay award be agreed.  Any amendments would be included in the following year’s statement presented to Full Council.

RESOLVED that the Pay Policy Statement for 2021/22, be approved.

(i)        Questions on Notice to the Executive:-

None received for this meeting.

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

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 Lani-Mae Ball asked the following question:-

“We can all agree here today that the last ten years have been very difficult in relation to the continued cuts to Local Government.  In relation to these cuts, have they been evenly spread across the country and how does Doncaster fare in the severity of cuts since austerity began in 2010?”

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

“I think we all know that the cuts have been there for a number of years and the figures that I am going to quote are facts and not political. If you look at the Centre for Cities report, 2019, Doncaster has had its spending cut by £107m since 2010-11. This equates to 29% less funding to provide services for our residents, and equates to £350 per person, whereas the national average is a spending power reduction of just 22%, which equates to £271 per person, so as you can imagine, it is a massive cut for us all.  Cuts for Local Government have led to a small amount of the shortfall being picked up by the local taxpayer, which is wrong as National Government should properly fund Local Government, and I want to see the levelling up being done properly with funding mechanisms without having to go through continual bidding rounds so we can plan properly for the residents in this Borough.”

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 15.7, Councillor Lani-Mae Ball asked the following supplementary question:-

Q.   “You mentioned having to apply for bids and the fact that it is a circle and it obviously takes time so can you can inform me how much has actually been brought in by the work you have done while you have been Mayor, in receiving capital sums?”

A.   The Mayor gave the following response:-

“It is in the order of £260m and we will also keep pushing Government to fund us for a new hospital which will add up to another £100m.  Our residents deserve it and we will keep pushing. It is in the order of £260m so far.”

Q.   Councillor Jane Cox asked the following question:-

“The Mayor stated in the Free Press this week that the Council was in deficit of £18.9 m.  It was then reported that the Council had received less than £3m from Central Government despite enormous pressures on the Council.  Is the Mayor mistaken or is the Mayor misleading the residents of Doncaster, as the Council has received more than £65m to support Council services over the last 12 months and over £125m to support business.  If the Mayor was so unhappy with the Local Government Financial settlement, why did her Labour MPs  ...  view the full minutes text for item 48.

The Council considered a report which informed Members of Key Decisions which had been taken by the Executive between the period 6th March, 2020 and 18th February, 2021, which were not included on the Forward Plan, under Special Urgency provisions of the Access to Information Procedure Rules.  It was stated within the Council’s Constitution that all decisions taken under Special Urgency provisions, be reported to Council on an annual basis, to ensure that the public be kept informed of all aspects of the democratic process.

The report outlined that the Council’s use of Rule 16’s had traditionally been very low and that during the past 5 years, only 6 Rule 16 decisions had been taken.  However, during the past 12 months, there had been 32 Rule 16 decisions, which were all directly related to the Council’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic, and that any delay in decision making or implementation would have delayed the provision of grants or services to the people of Doncaster.

RESOLVED that the actions taken in accordance with Special Urgency provisions of the Access to Information Procedure Rules, be noted.

A.        Sheffield City Region Mayoral Combined Authority Board held on 25th January, 2021.

B.      Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership Board held on 14th January, 2021.

C.      South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority held on 11th January, 2021.

D.      South Yorkshire Pensions Authority Local Pension Board held on 15th October, 2020.

E.      South Yorkshire Pensions Authority held on 10th December, 2020 and 21st January, 2021.

F.      South Yorkshire Police and Crime Panel held on 14th December, 2020.

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

A.        Sheffield City Region Mayoral Combined Authority Board held on 25th January, 2021.

B.      Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership Board held on 14th January, 2021.

C.      South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority held on 11th January, 2021.

D.      South Yorkshire Pensions Authority Local Pension Board held on 15th October, 2020.

E.      South Yorkshire Pensions Authority held on 10th December, 2020 and 21st January, 2021.

F.      South Yorkshire Police and Crime Panel held on 14th December, 2020.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the Chair of Council, Councillor Paul Wray, stated that for some of the Councillors in the virtual meeting today, including himself, who had chosen not to stand at the Local Elections in May, this would be their last meeting of Full Council.  The Chair of Council thanked all Councillors for their hard work, dedication and service to their local community and to the people of Doncaster, and wished them all the best as they moved onto the next chapter in their life.