Agenda and minutes

There were no items.

Councillor Kidd declared that she worked for the voluntary sector.

[A period not exceeding 20 minutes for statements from up

to 5 members of the public on matters within the

Committee’s remit, proposing action(s) which may be

considered or contribute towards the future development of

the Committee’s work programme].

There were no public statements made.

Prior to consideration by Cabinet and Full Council, the Head of Policy, Performance and Intelligence presented the updated Corporate Plan for 2021/22.  He outlined that the Corporate Plan reflects the transition to a new Borough Strategy which would replace the Doncaster Growing Together Plan. 

The Committee addressed a number of areas as set out below.

Six well-being goals – the Committee noted and supported the six emerging well-being goals for a new Borough Strategy and the delivery approach.

Linkages with the Council and Partnership Priorities – Members discussed and noted the importance of the Corporate Plan’s links to other significant Council and partnership priorities such as the Environmental Strategy and recommendations made through the Climate Commission.  It was recognised that this agenda was supported through the inclusion of the ‘Cleaner and Greener’ goal within the plan.

Resources to deliver the Plan – it was recognised that it was not always set in stone how proposals could be funded over the next 10 years however the ambition to deliver was strong therefore resources could be used creatively and efficiently to achieve key goals.

Communication of the Corporate Plan – Members were pleased to learn more about the innovative proposals being considered to be as wide reaching as possible in terms of audience and to explain the plan in different ways.  For example, the use of videos which had been used by the Youth Council in recent months.

Focus on Inequalities – in response to queries relating to how Covid had impacted on the Corporate Plan, particularly the disruption created across all areas of life, Members were assured that the plan would seek to reduce inequalities, whether it be wealth, health or education.  This would be addressed through its ‘Fair and Inclusive’ goal, providing a focus on ‘tackling inequalities and improving social mobility’.  Members made reference to the work required, particularly around BAME inequalities.

Changes in how we work – Members acknowledged the advances made through digital ways of working, how our approach needs to be more intelligence-led and to be more agile and responsive.

Emergency Planning – The Committee appreciated the importance of prevention and preparedness in tackling emergency incidents as experienced more over previous years, for example, flooding.

Delivery of the Key Priorities – Members were reassured that progress towards delivering the priorities set out in the Corporate Plan’s goals would be delivered and monitored through the Council’s own performance management framework.

Due to the tight timescales involved, it was moved and seconded that the Chair be given delegated authority to write to the Mayor with the Committee’s response to the Corporate Plan presented.

RESOLVED that:

i)             the Corporate Plan, be supported;  and

ii)               the Chair be given delegated authority to write to the Mayor with the Committee’s recommendation.

The Assistant Director of Finance and Section 151 Officer provided the Committee with a brief overview of the Mayor’s budget proposals for 21/22 to 2024/25 including:

·         Gross Revenue Budget amounting to £501m;

·         Council Tax increase of 2.9% including a 1.5% Adult Social Care precept;

·         Funding gap of £18.9m over the next 3 years;

·         Savings targets of £16.3m;

·         Uncertainty and volatility with costs and income;

·         £341m capital investment over 4 years;  and

·         HRA 1.5% rent increase.

To ensure the Committee added value to the Council’s budget setting process discussions focused on the following four issues:-

i.           To what extent are the Mayor’s proposals in line with Central Government policy, pressures and directives?

ii.         To what extent will the Mayor’s proposal ensure that the Council was able to contribute to the outcomes detailed within Doncaster Growing Together and the Corporate Plan bearing in mind the constraints detailed at i. above?

iii.        To what extent do the Mayor’s proposals demonstrate that the results of any consultation, research or other evidence have been taken into account? and

iv.        To what extent were the challenges in delivering the savings within the timescales.

The Committee acknowledged that the Council was continuing to operate in a challenging financial environment, but continued to demonstrate it had the flexibility and resources to meet unexpected challenges.  It continued to recognise that particularly in 2021/22 and in future this would become increasingly difficult due to the greater volatility of costs and income and continuing to deliver approved saving targets. 

Members understood how the COVID-19 pandemic had placed unprecedented stress on Council services including responding to the pandemic restrictions and experiencing additional service budget pressures.  This included additional costs to social care providers, for example payments for voids and PPE (personal protective equipment), children’s social care, support for the Doncaster Cultural Leisure Trust and income from fees and charges, council tax and business rates.  It has highlighted that local councils needed to be well resourced and funded to ensure a sound response to any emergency.

The specific pressures relating to working with “Covid as the normal” were highlighted and the impact it had on some services, for example, operatives not sharing the same smaller vehicles and the impact this had on work being undertaken.  It was recognised that all service areas had been addressed and reprioritised as a result of the impact of the latest Covid-19 restrictions, to balance required resources.

It was acknowledged by the Committee that all Directorates were reviewing the way services were being delivered whilst managing and monitoring the significant challenges and risks in delivering within budgets.  Additionally maintaining the organisation’s capacity to innovate and meet service demands both now and in the future, was highlighted.

The Committee questioned a number of key areas relating to risk and challenges and existing and emerging pressures and challenges which were addressed in detail by all Directors.  Evidence provided highlighted that the budget was adequate, however it needed to remain agile and responsive with a less traditional approach to meet  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.