Agenda and minutes

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

Contact: David Taylor  01302 736712

Items
No. Item

35.

Declarations of Interest, if any

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest made at the meeting.

36.

Minutes of the Council Meeting held on 25th July, 2019 pdf icon PDF 143 KB

Minutes:

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Council Meeting held on 25th July, 2019, be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

37.

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 Linda Curran, made the following announcement:-

 

The Chair of the Police and Crime Panel, Councillor David Nevett, has circulated an email from Dr. Alan Billings’ Office, the Police and Crime Commissioner, about the next Public Accountability meeting which is to be held in this Council Chamber on Monday, 7th October at 10.30 am.  This is a public meeting and all are welcome to attend.  If you would like to put a Question to either the Police Force or the Police and Crime Commissioner, you must email your question to the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Office at least three days before the meeting.”

 

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

 

“Earlier this month, I along with the leader of Rotherham Council, Chris Read, and Senior Officers from Doncaster and Rotherham Councils met with Douglas Oakervee as part of his review into HS2. We stated our unchanged position in regards to the current route of HS2, and that if it was to go ahead, that they re-look at the route through South Yorkshire.

 

I will of course share with Members the written submission next week after it has been submitted to the Oakervee review.”

 

Councillor Nuala Fennelly, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Schools, made the following announcement:-

 

“GCSE and A Level results for Doncaster are provisional and will be verified by Ofsted later in the year.

 

Outcomes for children across Doncaster have improved significantly across all Key Stages and I would like to personally congratulate all the children and young people of Doncaster for some great results this year.

 

Early years children have a good level of development in 2019 at 72.5%. The national figure is 71.7%.  After four years of continuous improvement, we are now above the national average for the first time.

 

Key Stage 1; Reading, Writing, Maths combined, has improved and at 65% is now in line with national figures for the first time.

 

Key Stage 2; Reading, Writing and Maths, has improved and Doncaster’s figure is 77.1% and the national figure is 78.3%.  We are so close; maybe next year.

 

Key Stage 4; GCSE, provisional data suggests that the average Attainment 8 Score in Doncaster is broadly in line with the emerging national average for the first time.  There has been a substantial improvement in the proportion of Doncaster pupils averaging a standard pass or better in English and Maths (Grade 4+) since 2018, and an even larger improvement in the percentage achieving a strong pass (Grades 5+).  There has been notable improvements across most Schools.

 

Key Stage 5; the emerging average for all Level 3 and A-Level qualifications shows an average grade of C+.  This is an improvement on 2018.

 

In technical qualifications, the average grade is Distinction.  This represents a significant increase of 5.8% since last year.

 

These results demonstrate significant improvement, particularly in the area of vocational qualifications.

 

Overall, these achievements clearly indicate a positive picture of improving outcomes for our young people  ...  view the full minutes text for item 37.

38.

Questions from the public in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 13

 

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

 

Has a consultant been appointed to put together a report to the Northern Transport hub of the Government by March 2020 and has a route been agreed for this proposed necessary improvement from Goldthorpe to the A1 at Marr?”

 

Minutes:

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

 

“Has a consultant been appointed to put together a report to the Northern Transport Hub of the Government by March, 2020 and has a route been agreed for this proposed necessary improvement from Goldthorpe to the A1 at Marr?”

 

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

 

“An Invitation to Tender for the development of a Strategic Outline Business Case for a Dearne Valley to A1M Regeneration Route is in preparation.

 

Sheffield City Region, Barnsley Council and Doncaster Council are jointly funding this work. The route under investigation is from the A6195 Broomhill Roundabout northwards to the A6195/A635 roundabout at Cathill and eastwards on the A635 to the A1M Junction 37 at Marr.

 

The potential scheme will include both on-line and off-line improvements, but its objective is to provide additional road capacity to facilitate development in the Dearne Valley and connecting it to the Strategic Road Network.

 

The consultant undertaking this work will be required to investigate route options for the off-line sections, notably on the A635 at Hickleton and Marr.  The advantages and disadvantages for each route option investigated, will be evaluated by the consultant and set out in the Outline Business Case.  This research will form the basis of any decision on a preferred route.”

 

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

 

“Thank you for the work that has been done on this, but we do have an ongoing argument with this safety problem, and we need your help and advice. There are unacceptable levels of traffic coming through Hickleton, and there is no footpath or cycle path between Hickleton and Doncaster, meaning we are therefore cut off and forced to use the bus or cars. It is simply not safe to walk or cycle.  The footpaths we have in the village are not safe for the old or young with the volume of traffic passing through, and furthermore, there is no safe crossing place. Additionally, there is nothing to alert drivers to old people crossing roads. When will DMBC accept that something needs to be done to address road safety and the environment in this area?  We beg DMBC to get road safety Officers to come and see for themselves, the work that has been done by the Parish Council, and address what improvements need to be made to the road structure.”

 

In response, Mayor Jones gave the following reply:-

 

“I am aware that DMBC Officers have been out already, but I will ask that they go out and take another look. I am also aware that they are monitoring air quality in this area to see how this is affecting the environment.”

39.

Temporary Designated Section 151 Officer pdf icon PDF 322 KB

Minutes:

The Council considered a report which sought approval for Debbie Hogg, Director of Corporate Resources, to be designated as Doncaster Council’s Section 151 Officer for a temporary period with effect from 1st November, 2019.

 

The role of the Section 151 Officer was currently held by the Chief Financial Officer who was due to commence a period of maternity leave from November. Therefore, in order to ensure there was continuity when the substantive post holder commenced her maternity leave and the Statutory Role of the Section 151 Officer was fulfilled, it was proposed that Debbie Hogg undertake this position for this period. As an experienced Section 151 Officer, the Director of Corporate Resources was suitably qualified and experienced to undertake this role.

 

            RESOLVED that

 

(1)         Debbie Hogg be temporarily designated as Doncaster Council’s Section 151 Officer with effect from 1st November, 2019, or the date of commencement of maternity leave, if this is earlier; and

 

(2)          the Monitoring Officer update the Constitution where necessary, to reflect the temporary change to Officer designation outlined within the report.

 

40.

To consider the following Motion, written notice of which has been given by the Mayor, Ros Jones and Seconded by Councillor Dave Shaw, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 16.1

 

Climate & Biodiversity Emergency

 

“The United Nations (UN) Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has warned that we have 12 years to make the necessary changes to limit a rise in global temperatures to 1.5C.  Failure to act will see a marked increase in sea levels and flooding, extreme and abrupt changes to weather patterns, crop failures, extinctions of plant, insect and animal species and global economic disruption and crisis.  The increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events that we have experienced locally and nationally highlight why this is such an important issue for Team Doncaster to respond to.

 

At the Global Climate Talks in Poland last December, the UK along with over 200 nations agreed action on climate change with a much greater role strongly implied for Local and Regional Authorities like Doncaster Council, in assisting Governments to achieve their carbon emission savings.

 

It should also be noted at the UN Secretary-General António Guterres will host the 2019 Climate Action Summit in New York next Monday 23rd September, to meet the climate challenge.  The Summit will showcase a leap in collective national political ambition and reinforce the drive needed to rapidly accelerate action to implement the Paris Agreement.

 

This Council therefore:-

 

·           Believes that climate change and sustainability are amongst the biggest issues of the 21st Century, and the effects of manmade and dangerous climate change are already manifestly occurring;

 

·           Declares a Climate and Biodiversity Emergency;

 

·           Notes that our current international targets are inadequate to respond to the challenge of keeping global temperature rises below 1.5C; and

 

·           Notes the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) detail that we are already seeing the consequences of a 1°C of global warming through more extreme weather, rising sea levels and diminishing Arctic sea ice, among other worrying changes.

 

We Request that Council:-

 

·           Sets a new target and action plan for Doncaster Council to become carbon neutral;

 

·           Resolves to work with our partners, other local authorities and the Yorkshire Region on carbon reduction projects, to ensure the UK is able to deliver on its climate commitments;

 

·           Resolves to put sustainability, biodiversity and carbon reduction at the heart of this Council’s agenda going forward supporting communities, business and individuals locally to make more sustainable choices; and

 

·           Calls on the Government to provide the resources and powers so that Doncaster can make its contribution to the UK’s Carbon Reduction targets.”

Minutes:

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 16.1, a Motion was submitted by Mayor Ros Jones, and Seconded by Councillor Dave Shaw:-

 

Climate & Biodiversity Emergency

 

“The United Nations (UN) Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has warned that we have 12 years to make the necessary changes to limit a rise in global temperatures to 1.5C.  Failure to act will see a marked increase in sea levels and flooding, extreme and abrupt changes to weather patterns, crop failures, extinctions of plant, insect and animal species, and global economic disruption and crisis.  The increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events that we have experienced locally and nationally highlight why this is such an important issue for Team Doncaster to respond to.

 

At the Global Climate Talks in Poland last December, the UK along with over 200 nations agreed action on climate change with a much greater role strongly implied for Local and Regional Authorities like Doncaster Council, in assisting Governments to achieve their carbon emission savings.

 

It should also be noted that the UN Secretary-General António Guterres will host the 2019 Climate Action Summit in New York next Monday 23rd September, to meet the climate challenge.  The Summit will showcase a leap in collective national political ambition and reinforce the drive needed to rapidly accelerate action to implement the Paris Agreement.

 

This Council therefore:-

 

·      Believes that climate change and sustainability are amongst the biggest issues of the 21st Century, and the effects of manmade and dangerous climate change are already manifestly occurring;

 

·      Declares a Climate and Biodiversity Emergency;

 

·      Notes that our current international targets are inadequate to respond to the challenge of keeping global temperature rises below 1.5C; and

 

·      Notes the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) detail that we are already seeing the consequences of a 1°C of global warming through more extreme weather, rising sea levels and diminishing Arctic sea ice, among other worrying changes.

 

We request that Council:-

 

·      Sets a new target and action plan for Doncaster Council to become carbon neutral;

 

·       Resolves to work with our partners, other Local Authorities and the Yorkshire Region on carbon reduction projects, to ensure the UK is able to deliver on its climate commitments;

 

·       Resolves to put sustainability, biodiversity and carbon reduction at the heart of this Council’s agenda going forward supporting communities, business and individuals locally to make more sustainable choices; and

 

·       Calls on the Government to provide the resources and powers so that Doncaster can make its contribution to the UK’s Carbon Reduction targets.”

 

The Chair afforded all Members in the Chamber the opportunity to speak on the Motion.

 

A vote was taken on the Motion proposed by Mayor Ros Jones, which was declared as follows:-

 

For – 45

 

Against – 0

 

Abstain – 0

 

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

 

RESOLVED that this Council notes that the United Nations (UN) Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has warned that we have 12 years to make the necessary changes to limit a rise in global  ...  view the full minutes text for item 40.

41.

To consider the following Motion, written notice of which has been given by Councillor Rachel Hodson and Seconded by Councillor Rachael Blake, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 16.1

Motion on NJC pay to Doncaster Council – A fully funded, proper pay rise, for Council and school workers

 

“This Council notes:-

 

·           Local Government has endured cuts from Central Government since 2010, with the think tank Centre for Cities, highlighting that Doncaster has been the 3rd worst hit Council in the UK;

 

·           Doncaster Council has seen a 31% reduction in Central Government funding since 2010;

 

·           By 2021, the total budget gap this Council has had to bridge will be a staggering £272 million, since Government austerity measures started in 2010/11;

 

·           Doncaster Council has lost over 2,000 members of staff since 2010/11, yet is still expected to deliver the same level of service;

 

·           The local government workforce has endured years of pay restraint, with pay going down in real terms; and

 

·           Women have been disproportionately affected by the Central Government cuts, as they make up more than three quarters of the Local Government workforce.

 

This Council believes:-

 

·           Our workers are public service super heroes.  They work to support our communities across the Borough, and without the dedication of our staff, the services residents rely on would not be deliverable;

 

·           Local Government funding has already been cut to the extent that a proper pay rise could result in a reduction to local services; and

 

·           Central Government needs to take responsibility and fully fund increases in pay; it should not put the burden on Local Authorities whose funding has been cut to the bone.

 

The Council resolves to:-

 

·           Support the pay claim submitted by GMB, UNISON and Unite on behalf of Council and school workers;

 

·           Call on the Local Government Association to make urgent representations to Central Government to fund the NJC pay claim; and

 

·           Write to the Chancellor and Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, to call for a pay rise for Local Government and school workers which is fully funded with new money from Central Government.”

Minutes:

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

 

Motion on NJC pay to Doncaster Council – A fully funded, proper pay rise, for Council and school workers

 

“This Council notes:-

 

·           Local Government has endured cuts from Central Government since 2010, with the think tank Centre for Cities, highlighting that Doncaster has been the 3rd worst hit Council in the UK;

 

·           Doncaster Council has seen a 31% reduction in Central Government funding since 2010;

 

·           By 2021, the total budget gap this Council has had to bridge will be a staggering £272 million, since Government austerity measures started in 2010/11;

 

·           Doncaster Council has lost over 2,000 members of staff since 2010/11, yet is still expected to deliver the same level of service;

 

·           The Local Government workforce has endured years of pay restraint, with pay going down in real terms; and

 

·           Women have been disproportionately affected by the Central Government cuts, as they make up more than three quarters of the Local Government workforce.

 

This Council believes:-

 

·           Our workers are public service super heroes.  They work to support our communities across the Borough, and without the dedication of our staff, the services residents rely on would not be deliverable;

 

·           Local Government funding has already been cut to the extent that a proper pay rise could result in a reduction to local services; and

 

·           Central Government needs to take responsibility and fully fund increases in pay; it should not put the burden on Local Authorities whose funding has been cut to the bone.

 

The Council resolves to:-

 

·           Support the pay claim submitted by GMB, UNISON and Unite on behalf of Council and school workers;

 

·           Call on the Local Government Association to make urgent representations to Central Government to fund the NJC pay claim; and

 

·         Write to the Chancellor and Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, to call for a pay rise for Local Government and school workers which is fully funded with new money from Central Government.”

 

The Chair afforded all the Members in the Chamber the opportunity to speak on the Motion.

 

A vote was taken on the meeting which was declared as follows:-

 

For – 44

 

Against   0

 

Abstain – 0

 

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

 

            RESOLVED that

 

This Council notes:-

 

·         Local Government has endured cuts from Central Government since 2010, with the think tank Centre for Cities, highlighting that Doncaster has been the 3rd worst hit Council in the UK;

 

·         Doncaster Council has seen a 31% reduction in Central Government funding since 2010;

 

·         By 2021, the total budget gap this Council has had to bridge will be a staggering £272 million, since Government austerity measures started in 2010/11;

 

·         Doncaster Council has lost over 2,000 members of staff since 2010/11, yet is still expected to deliver the same level of service;

 

·         The Local Government workforce has endured years of pay restraint, with pay going down in real  ...  view the full minutes text for item 41.

42.

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

 

“With an increasing ageing population, the need for a joined-up policy on built for life and fit for life across all service provision directly and indirectly provided by Doncaster Council is of significant importance to reduce the needs on both physical and financial resources, on interim care, extended pressures on social budgets, NHS budgets and care homes.  I would like to suggest the following Motion to Council:-

 

This Council is committed to reducing wherever reasonably practicable, the impact upon its residents on having to move from their long-term living accommodation into hospital/care homes when they are at their most vulnerable and liable to be adversely affected by any change to their lifestyle.  Doncaster Council recognises the creation, in 2010, of the ‘Foundation for Lifetime Homes and Neighbourhoods’.  Doncaster Council along with the Foundation seeks to improve upon the design principles within the built environment and to promote the Lifetime Homes Standard.

 

Doncaster Council urges the current Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, to continue with the consultation commenced by his predecessor, into mandating higher accessibility standards for new homes.

 

There is also a need to recognise that homes built in the past do not live up to expectations and fail to meet the basic standards of disabled people.  Therefore, the consultation brief needs to be widened to look at the level of funding for adaptations to existing properties.

 

The Mayor writes to the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government and the Equalities Commission regarding the need to improve upon the design principles within the built environment and to promote the Lifetime Homes Standard.”

Minutes:

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

 

“With an increasing ageing population, the need for a joined-up policy on built for life and fit for life across all service provision directly and indirectly provided by Doncaster Council, is of significant importance to reduce the needs on both physical and financial resources on interim care, extended pressures on social budgets, NHS budgets and care homes.  I would like to suggest the following Motion to Council:-

 

This Council is committed to reducing wherever reasonably practicable, the impact upon its residents on having to move from their long-term living accommodation into hospital/care homes when they are at their most vulnerable, and liable to be adversely affected by any change to their lifestyle.  Doncaster Council recognises the creation, in 2010, of the ‘Foundation for Lifetime Homes and Neighbourhoods’.  Doncaster Council along with the Foundation, seeks to improve upon the design principles within the built environment and to promote the Lifetime Homes Standard.

 

Doncaster Council urges the current Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, to continue with the consultation commenced by his predecessor, into mandating higher accessibility standards for new homes.

 

There is also a need to recognise that homes built in the past do not live up to expectations and fail to meet the basic standards of disabled people.  Therefore, the consultation brief needs to be widened to look at the level of funding for adaptations to existing properties.

 

The Mayor writes to the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government and the Equalities Commission, regarding the need to improve upon the design principles within the built environment, and to promote the Lifetime Homes Standard.”

 

The Chair afforded all the Members in the Chamber the opportunity to speak on the Motion.

 

A vote was taken on the Motion which was declared as follows:-

 

For   44

 

Against – 0

 

Abstain – 0

 

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

 

RESOLVED that this Council is committed to reducing wherever reasonably practicable, the impact upon its residents on having to move from their long-term living accommodation into hospital/care homes when they are at their most vulnerable, and liable to be adversely affected by any change to their lifestyle.  Doncaster Council recognises the creation, in 2010, of the ‘Foundation for Lifetime Homes and Neighbourhoods’.  Doncaster Council along with the Foundation, seeks to improve upon the design principles within the built environment and to promote the Lifetime Homes Standard.

 

Doncaster Council urges the current Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, to continue with the consultation commenced by his predecessor, into mandating higher accessibility standards for new homes.

 

There is also a need to recognise that homes built in the past do not live up to expectations and fail to meet the basic standards of disabled people.  Therefore, the consultation brief needs to be widened to look at the level of funding for adaptations to existing properties.

 

The  ...  view the full minutes text for item 42.

43.

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 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 Nick Allen asked the following question:-

 

“Can you tell me what procedures are followed when an individual is issued with a single point of contact (SPOC)?”

 

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

 

“I would like to pass this over to the Monitoring Officer who can answer this from a legal perspective.”

 

A.  Scott Fawcus, Assistant Director of Legal and Democratic Services and Monitoring Officer, gave the following response:-

 

“The Council has a policy that deals with this, which I can send you if you wish, but I can assure you it is not a decision taken lightly or easily and comes after a long process.  It is a very rare event where it appears there is no other possible outcome.”

 

Q. Councillor Tosh McDonald asked the following question:-

 

“We are supposed to be united in this Chamber, but since I have been elected, a complaint I have raised is that we do not seem to get informed of things that are going on in our Ward.  This week, it took the biscuit.  We have had a VIP this week, of whom everyone was sworn to secrecy about.  I raised it with the Police, but they told me Central Government told them they had no choice but to keep it quiet, but we live in a democracy.  We can always say no and the Chief Executive and the Mayor can say no.  I welcome the Prime Minister, but we have the right to protest and question him, but our democratic right was denied.  I would show people respect if I was going into their Ward and let them know accordingly, and I would expect the same decency from others.”

 

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

 

“I didn’t have the right to say no and I can assure you I notified Members as soon as I was able to.”

 

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

 

Q. “But you had the right to say no, and we had the right to protest so we should have known. The national media knew, so should we?”

 

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

 

“As I have said, I notified Members as soon as I was able, as per my instructions.”

 

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

 

Q. Councillor Dave Shaw asked the following question:-

 

       “Would you be able to look into the site that Pride is going to be run from next year?  After the success of this year’s Pride event, we are all very supportive, but it has come to our attention that with no consultation, the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 43.

44.

To receive the minutes of the following Joint Authorities pdf icon PDF 487 KB

 

A.        Sheffield City Region Combined Authority held on 3rd June, 2019.

 

B.      Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership Board held on 20th May and 8th July, 2019.

 

C.      South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority held on 14th June (Extraordinary), 24th June (Annual) and 24th June, (Ordinary) 2019.

 

D.      South Yorkshire Pensions Authority Local Pension Board held on 25th July, 2019.

 

E.      South Yorkshire Pensions Authority held on 13th June (Annual) and 13th June (Ordinary) 2019.

 

F.      South Yorkshire Police and Crime Panel held on 3rd June (Annual) and 1st July, 2019.

 

G.      Team Doncaster Strategic Partnership held on 28th May and 16th July, 2019.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

 

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

 

A.   Sheffield City Region Combined Authority held on 3rd June, 2019;

 

B.   Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership Board held on 20th May and 8th July, 2019;

 

C.   South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority held on 14th June (Extraordinary), 24th June (Annual) and 24th June (Ordinary) 2019;

 

D.   South Yorkshire Pensions Authority Local Pension Board held on 25th July, 2019;

 

E.   South Yorkshire Pensions Authority held on 13th June (Annual) and 13th June (Ordinary) 2019;

 

F.    South Yorkshire Police and Crime Panel held on 3rd June (Annual) and 1st July, 2019; and

 

G.   Team Doncaster Strategic Partnership held on 28th May and 16th July, 2019.