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 death of former Councillor Patricia Schofield.

There were no declarations of interest made at the meeting.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Annual Council Meeting held on Friday, 20th May, 2022, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member, be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

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

“I would like to make a brief announcement in relation to Doncaster Sheffield Airport. Yesterday, Peel Group announced that the future of Doncaster Sheffield Airport is under review.

This is very disappointing news and I am saddened to hear that the future of Doncaster Sheffield Airport is under review by its owner The Peel Group.  The Airport is a major asset to Doncaster and the wider region, and I am urging that all avenues to make it viable commercially are fully investigated.  Doncaster Sheffield Airport is the best Airport in Yorkshire, the best connected by road and hopefully soon to be by rail, and it also has one of the longest runways in the country.

I am sure all Council will be concerned about this development and like myself, Mayor Ros Jones and Cabinet, would want to see the Airport as part of our future.  We are actively engaging with the Airport owners, our MPs and the South Yorkshire Mayor, and making it clear our position in wanting an Airport in Doncaster, and for the benefit of the wider region.  The loss of aviation services could have an impact on wider investment into both the Airport and the Gateway East development.  I encourage everyone to rally behind efforts to safeguard our aviation industry in Doncaster and I ask our MPs and the Mayor of South Yorkshire, to do all the lobbying they can with Government.  What we need from Government is a long term funding package to support the Airport in the medium term. From Government, we need the commitment of money, not just empty words.

Secondly, I would like to put on record this Council’s congratulations to Tariq Shah on being awarded an OBE as part of the Queen’s Birthday Honours for his services to charity. Tariq often works with Doncaster Council, he was a key member of our City Status bid team and is currently involved in our bid to be the new home of Great British Railways.  He also chairs our Doncaster Town Deal Board.

Tariq, thank you for all you have done and all you continue to do; congratulations on your OBE.

I would also like to congratulate the People Focused Group and b:friend who have both been awarded a Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the UK’s highest accolade for such services and known as the MBE for volunteering groups.”

Councillor Nigel Ball, Cabinet Member for Public Health, made the following announcement:-

“I would also like to put on record our immense admiration and thanks to our Director of Public Health, Dr Rupert Suckling, on being awarded an MBE as part of Her Majesties Birthday Honours.

Rupert, you led the Public Health response to Covid here in Doncaster. Your calm and collected approach focussed on facts, and you were the expert and reassuring voice that this Council and our residents needed at a time of such pain, suffering and loss. As we all know, even  ...  view the full minutes text for item 23.

(The Council has received a petition from, Mr Chris Owen, the petition organiser on behalf of the Rose Hill Residents’ Association, requesting Doncaster Council to stop its plans to sell Rose Hill to a developer to build houses on the Green Space.)

The Council received a Petition from Mr Chris Owen, the Petition Organiser, on behalf of the Rose Hill Residents’ Association, requesting Doncaster Council to stop its plans to sell Rose Hill to a developer to build houses on the Green Space, which had been submitted in accordance with the Council’s Petition Scheme.

Prior to debating the Petition, the Chair of Council, Councillor Ian Pearson, outlined the procedure which would be followed.  The Petition Organiser would be given 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.

Mr. Chris Owen, in presenting the Petition, addressed the Council as follows:-

“We are asking the Council to stop the sale of Rose Hill to a developer or explain why it will not and how destroying Rose Hill aligns with the Environmental Strategy and vision to make Doncaster a place where nature flourishes.  This Petition has been signed by over 110 people and there is a separate online Petition with over 1300 signatures.  The sale of Rose Hill is a matter of widespread public concern.  The decision to sell Rose Hill was made before the Council declared a Climate and Biodiversity Emergency, and before the issue of its Climate Commission Report on Environment Strategy.  Your Environmental Policies have therefore evolved significantly since the decision to sell was made; a decision which now urgently needs revisiting in light of the these developments.

Rose Hill is a biodiverse mixed habitat containing areas of woodland, grassland and scrubland which supports many trees, wildflowers and wildlife, including protected species.  It is next to a local wildlife site and through naturalisation, is expanding it.  It is on the green corridor allowing wildlife to move across Doncaster.  It is a much valued community asset which is widely used by the public for recreation and to connect with nature.  It is exactly the sort of place this Council says must be protected to tackle Climate Change, stop biodiversity loss and create greener communities.

So why is the Council choosing to destroy a place which it should be protecting.  The sale of Rose Hill is a choice.  Paragraph 4.74 of the Local Plan says there is 25% more housing supply over the Plan period.  3852 units that are needed to meet housing targets.  Your Residential Land Availability Survey says that there are Planning Permissions granted for over 12,000 houses which have yet to be built.  Given these circumstances, it is inappropriate and unnecessary for the Council to sell a biodiverse habitat and community green space to a developer.  The Local Plan also takes no account of your Climate Commission Report or Environmental Strategy, which you said you would update the Plan for, but have not.

The sale of Rose Hill is contrary to the Council’s Environmental Policies; for example, you say you will safeguard existing trees and that there is  ...  view the full minutes text for item 24.

None received for this meeting.

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

The Council considered a report, introduced by Councillor Lani-Mae Ball, Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Young People, which sought approval of the statutory Youth Justice Plan for 2022/23, which covered the work of the Youth Offending Service (YOS) in Doncaster.

It was reported that in the past year, the YOS had continued reducing first time entrants into the criminal justice system and sat slightly outside of the top quartile for performance nationally.  Its work to reduce re-offending with young people had been a historic area of strength, and remained so.  The YOS was well within the top quartile of Authorities with the lowest re-offending rates in England and Wales.

Members noted that due to the impact of a serious incident last year involving children not open to the YOS, the custody rate had increased significantly.  This had resulted in the service moving from the top quartile in the previous year, to the bottom quartile in this year.

It was also reported that the YOS aimed to maintain its low first time entrant rate through the work of EPIC and the Youth Justice Team, and to further reduce Doncaster’s re-offending rate.  If achieved, this would represent Doncaster’s lowest ever annualised reoffending rate and that the YOS fully expected that the custody rate would to return to its regular level in 2022/23.  The YOS had also set a non-statutory target this year to bring the rate of Children who were looked after in the criminal justice system, to a level which was comparable to children who were not looked after.  

In conclusion, it was noted that the Plan also highlighted some notable achievements in 2021/22, including a highly positive Thematic ETE inspection, the development of a dedicated Counsellor’s post and the opening of the EPIC Town Centre Hub.

RESOLVED that the Youth Justice Plan 2022/23, be approved.

The Council considered a report, which was introduced by the Deputy Mayor, Councillor Glyn Jones, which outlined the process, feedback and the Council’s response to date, to the Peer Review which was undertaken by the Local Government Association.

It was reported that as the Council had reached a key milestone in its improvement journey, it was decided to undertake a Peer Review to reflect on what had been achieved and be clear about the challenges that remained, and agree priorities for the future. 

The Deputy Mayor thanked staff, Members and stakeholders who took the time to meet with the Peers and took part in exploring the Council’s strengths and areas to improve, and took the opportunity to thank the Peers for the way they conducted the review, and the communication before and after the visit.

The Deputy Mayor stated that the Council welcomed the report as it demonstrated the improvement journey the Council had been on, and Highlighted the following:-

·      Doncaster Council was now emerging as a strong organisation that was on a positive and upward trajectory;

·       The Council had many good features and if continued, would be an exemplar Council;

·       The Council came across as an energetic and focused organisation with a clear strategic focus, strong political and managerial leadership, and good governance and decision-making arrangements; and

·       There was huge commitment, dedication and affinity to the place among Members, staff and partners, to deliver for Doncaster.

It was noted that the Council needed to keep on improving and subsequently the Peer Report identified the following six recommendations or areas to consider:-

(i)     Pause and reflect on the Council’s strategies to address organisational overload and fatigue, and address capacity issues;

(ii)    Condense the key priorities for the Council for the next three years and set annual delivery targets;

(iii)   Simplify and communicate key messages in a more tailored manner, particularly internally;

(iv)  Reassess the Council’s corporate risk appetite;

(v)   Continue to plan for the impact of the cost of living crisis on local communities and the delivery of Council services; and

(vi)  Celebrate the Council’s achievements and consider sharing learning and good practice with the wider Local Government sector.

The Deputy Mayor pointed out that the Council had already started making these improvements by committing to build its Action Plan into the annual improvement cycle and delivery through the quarterly performance monitoring.  The Council would deliver a staff engagement programme in Autumn 2022, to communicate and share the Action Plan, but also use this engagement to set out a new set of values for the organisation that were owned and recognised by staff. 

It was also reported that the Council would be reviewing its risk appetite through active examples and taking a ‘learning by doing’ approach to support greater investment, and the role the Council could have in achieving that investment. 

RESOLVED that the Doncaster Council Peer Review report and the initial response to the recommendations, be noted.

The Chair of the Health and Wellbeing Board, Councillor Rachael Blake, presented the Board’s first Annual Report and informed Members that it provided an overview of the work received and undertaken at the Health and Wellbeing Board between June, 2021 and June, 2022. 

Members noted that the report provided an update on the course of the global COVID-19 pandemic in Doncaster in 2021, which highlighted the lessons to be learnt and the many inequalities that existed within society, some of which had deteriorated further as a result of the pandemic. 

It was reported that in Starting Well, the Board looked at the health and wellbeing of young people and families, and had agreed the Children and Young People’s Mental Health Strategy, along with the Mental Health in Schools Strategy, which was currently very prevalent. 

Members were also informed that Living Well was a wide reaching theme which covered the health and wellbeing of people with additional health needs.

In terms of Ageing Well, Members noted that this supported an age friendly approach to working with older people and throughout the past year, the Board has received items on the urgent community responses and enhanced health care in care homes, and anticipatory care. 

In concluding her presentation, Councillor Blake outlined the seven next steps for the Board and its partners.

RESOLVED that Health and Wellbeing Board First Annual Report 2021/22, be noted and published.

The Council considered the Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report, which highlighted the progress of Doncaster Council’s Overview and Scrutiny function during 2021/22.  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 2022/23.

In presenting the report, the Chair of the OSMC, Councillor Jane Kidd, initially thanked Members, the Executive, Officers, Partners, Stakeholders, young advisers and the public, who had taken the time to participate in meetings and contribute to Overview and Scrutiny during the last Municipal Year.

It was reported that the Annual Report highlighted a number of activities and achievements that were important to Overview and Scrutiny including how it had engaged with the public and partners, 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 showed how its work aligned and contributed to the Doncaster Growing Together priorities. 

Members noted that moving forward to 2022/23, Overview and Scrutiny’s work planswould reflect the Doncaster Delivering Together, Wellbeing Goals and outcomes and Great 8 priorities, which would help keep a strategic focus and positively contribute to improving services within the Borough.

In concluding the presentation of the report, Councillor Kidd asked Members to contact her as the Chair or Officers, if there were any suggested issues for consideration at future Scrutiny meetings or reviews.

RESOLVED that the Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report 2021/22, be noted.

“This Council is concerned at the impact over 12 years of the Tory Governments Austerity measures on local Councils.

The loss to Doncaster is over £100 million per year and continuing, this has led to serious reductions in vital services.

The cost of living increases including fuel and food have led to massive rises in cost of living expenses for those with the least.

This Council requests the Chief Executive to write to the Secretary of State to ask them to reverse the Austerity cuts and fund local government properly.”

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

“This Council is concerned at the impact over 12 years of the Tory Governments Austerity measures on local Councils.

The loss to Doncaster is over £100 million per year and continuing, this has led to serious reductions in vital services.

The cost of living increases including fuel and food have led to massive rises in cost of living expenses for those with the least.

This Council requests the Chief Executive to write to the Secretary of State to ask them to reverse the Austerity cuts and fund Local Government properly.”

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 John Healy, which was declared as follows:-

For - 36

Against - 7

Abstain - 2

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

RESOLVED that this Council is concerned at the impact over 12 years of the Tory Governments Austerity measures on local Councils.

The loss to Doncaster is over £100 million per year and continuing, this has led to serious reductions in vital services.

The cost of living increases including fuel and food have led to massive rises in cost of living expenses for those with the least.

This Council requests the Chief Executive to write to the Secretary of State to ask them to reverse the Austerity cuts and fund Local Government properly.

(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.

2.  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.

In the absence of the Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones, Members were asked to submit their questions in writing to the Executive Office and a written response would be provided.

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

Q.   Councillor Steve Cox asked the following question:-

“A request was put in to Sheffield City Region (now known as South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority) for a £20 million loan some time ago.  Yourself, Mayor Ros Jones and the Chief Executive had been part of that Committee.  What happened to the loan application?  The decision was due to be made in March, but still nothing.  How long have Peel been in communication with the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA)?  What has DMBC done to support the Doncaster Sheffield Airport (DSA)?  Finally, why have Finningley Ward Members had no contact from yourselves or the Chief Executive; what happened to working together?”

A.   The Chief Executive, Damian Allen, gave the following response:-

“It is under the jurisdiction of the SYMCA.  What I can report is the Mayor of South Yorkshire, Oliver Coppard, has gone on public record in response to the announcement from Peel Airport indicating that the loan is still an active loan under consideration.  From commercial reasons, I am not in a position to add any further details, but I suggest if you have any concerns, that you write to the Mayor of South Yorkshire, but I will make him aware.”

A.   The Deputy Mayor, Councillor Glyn Jones, gave the following further response:-

“We have had no end of meetings between ourselves, legal briefings, conversations between the Chief Executive and Chair of DSA, Board Members of Peel Holdings, the SYMCA, the Mayor of South Yorkshire, Oliver Coppard and the Chief Executive of SYMCA, Martin Swales.  We have had a meeting today with the Members of Parliament to come to some sort of resolution and a way forward.

As for the Local Ward Members, I am sorry you were not included; it was an oversight on my part.  It is difficult to give you a full, frank and open appraisal of what has happened from a business perspective, but we are leaving no stone unturned on this matter.”

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 15.7, Councillor Steve Cox asked the following supplementary question:-

Q.   “The phone has been ringing constantly all day.  There are a lot of jobs to lose and the information you were not aware is on Twitter.  The minutes of the meetings cannot be found.  I will take this to Mayor Oliver Coppard.”

Q.   Councillor Thomas Noon asked the following question:-

“Following the terrible two years with crime in Doncaster, can the Deputy Mayor  ...  view the full minutes text for item 31.

A.        South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority Board held on 4th March, 21st March and 6th June, 2022.

B.      South Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership Board held on 10th March and 12th May, 2022.

C.      South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority held on 24th January, 21st February and 11th April, 2022.

D.      South Yorkshire Pensions Authority held on 10th February and 17th March, 2022.

E.      South Yorkshire Pensions Authority Local Pension Board held on 27th January and 28th April, 2022.

F.      South Yorkshire Police and Crime Panel held on 4th February and 25th April, 2022.

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

A.        South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority Board held on 4th March, 21st March and 6th June, 2022.

B.      South Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership Board held on 10th March and 12th May, 2022.

C.      South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority held on 24th January, 21st February and 11th April, 2022.

D.      South Yorkshire Pensions Authority held on 10th February and 17th March, 2022.

E.      South Yorkshire Pensions Authority Local Pension Board held on 27th January and 28th April, 2022.

F.      South Yorkshire Police and Crime Panel held on 4th February and 25th April, 2022.