Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of interest made at the meeting.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 27.1, consideration was given to the suspension of Council Procedure Rules 3.1 and 3.2, to allow the Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones, to make an important announcement.

RESOLVED that in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 27.1, Council Procedure Rules 3.1 and 3.2, be suspended to allow the Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones, to make an announcement at the meeting.

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

“Councillors, we are living in unprecedented times, how and when we leave the European Union is still not clear and this issue remains a divisive one for our Country with no obvious solution in sight.  The spending review is not until late into our financial planning cycle, if indeed it is published at all in 2019, making it difficult to plan past 2020 with any real certainty.  All of this comes on top of a period of continued austerity, which has put increasing pressure on people and services over the last decade.

The challenges we face are here for the long-term and the latest report produced by the Committee on Climate Change, ‘Net Zero:  The UK’s contribution to stopping global warming’, provides a stark reminder that the actions we take now are not only part of a yearly cycle or a four year political term, but of a much bigger vision for our World, Country and Borough; what we do now matters for future generations.

Responding to the challenge of climate change is not just about reducing emissions, it is about our ambitions for the type of Borough we want to see in the future, how we protect and enhance the natural environment for future generations, the type of economy that is innovative and inclusive, built on clean growth and decent wages, the type of health and care system that is sustainable and responsive to future demands that will be placed upon it.  Indeed, as I said at the Doncaster Business Conference in May, going forwards we know we have more to do; the potential expansion in clean and green growth is one particular example of acting globally whilst protecting our borough for future generations.  I am extremely ambitious about our plans for Doncaster, but I require all your help.

The times we live in and the challenges we face demand that we come together as never before.  To do this, it is more important than ever that we understand each other, talk about the kind of Borough we want, our hopes and fears for the future, what we can improve and how we can all work together to play our part in making Doncaster the best place it can be.

That is why I am announcing today that we will have this conversation over the summer months and will use the wisdom of our young people, communities, businesses and voluntary organisations, to inform the long-term plans for our Borough.  Doncaster Talks 2019 will run throughout the summer.  A Members Seminar is scheduled for Monday 10th June, to discuss how we can work together to make it a success.

Everyone who cares about the future of our Borough will have an opportunity to have their say and I am proposing to bring a climate emergency Motion to the Full Council Meeting in September, capturing the early feedback from Doncaster Talks, about what more we can do to work towards becoming  ...  view the full minutes text for item 20.

The Council considered a report which sought Members’ confirmation of the appointment of an Acting Chief Executive and Head of Paid Service, and appointed Returning Officer and Electoral Registration Officer for Elections.

It was reported that following the resignation and departure of Jo Miller, the current post holder at the end of June, arrangements need to be established to appoint a replacement.  Council had previously conveyed its thanks and appreciation to Jo Miller for her dedication, hard work and valuable contribution she had made to the Council, the Borough and support to Elected Members, throughout her years of service at the Authority, and wished her well in her new position as Chief Executive at Hutt City Council in New Zealand.

As this is a statutory role and in view of the Council’s significant transformational agenda specifically around its ambitious people and place model, and the timescale to recruit, it was deemed appropriate to seek an interim appointment for a period of up to 12 months, to allow for a full recruitment process to take place.

Members noted that following an internal expression of interest process, final interviews were held by an established Panel from the Chief Officers Appointments Committee which had recommended to Council that Damian Francis Allen be appointed as Doncaster Council’s Acting Chief Executive and Head of Paid Service, and appointed Returning Officer and Electoral Registration Officer for Elections, with effect from 1st July, 2019.

It was MOVED by Councillor Glyn Jones and SECONDED by Councillor Nuala Fennelly, that Damian Francis Allen be appointed as Doncaster Council’s Acting Chief Executive and Head of Paid Service, and appointed Returning Officer and Electoral Registration Officer for Elections, with effect from 1st July, 2019, for a period of up to 12 months.

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

RESOLVED that Damian Francis Allen be appointed as the Council’s Acting Chief Executive and Head of Paid Service, and appointed Returning Officer and Electoral Registration Officer for Elections, with effect from 1st July, 2019, for a period of up to 12 months.