Agenda and minutes

No items were exempt with the exception of the appendix to Agenda Item 5 because it contained exempt information including legal advice which was not for public inspection by virtue of paragraph 5 of Part 1 of Schedule 12(a) of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended.

Councillor Jane Kidd declared that she worked for a voluntary organisation.

[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.

The Committee gave consideration to a report providing an update on the adoption of the Doncaster Local Plan 2015-2035, following a period of preparation, consultation and an independent examination in public. 

Prior to discussion by the Committee, Members were informed that the Local Plan had passed the legal compliance and tests of soundness which were assessed via the examination and recently presented to and supported by the Planning committee.  Members were also reminded of the Local Plan development process required before arriving at the Local Authority’s approval process.

The following areas were addressed:

Partnership working - it was stressed that the development of new policies had strengthened relationships, for example, working with health colleagues when addressing health impact assessments as part of a planning applications.

Housing for the future population – the committee was assured the Local Plan provided policy to support sufficient future housing.  920 properties per annum were expected to be provided with a proportion of homes for life, for example, providing properties with wider doorframes and wheelchair accessible, rather than having to adapt homes at a later stage.

Developer portfolios – it was noted that all development sites allocated had been scrutinised and were deliverable providing a minimum of 920 homes per annum.  Members were reminded that Government policy with regard to developing industry was separate to the planning process.  It was noted that the Local Authority had raised concern with the Government in regard to developers land banking.

Section 106 Agreements  – it was noted that the Local Authority was in a strong position to negotiate, all policies in the Plan had been tested for viability and fresh applications would have to conform to planning policy at that time.

Submission of the Local Plan to independent inspectors – it was recognised that the Local Plan was submitted during the Covid Pandemic and this could never have been predicted during its preparation and additionally Brexit Agreements were still being established.  Bearing this in mind it was also noted that there were significant planning reforms on the horizon which the Local Authority had been consulted on in the summer of 2020 but the outcomes were not yet known.  It was stressed that there would always be a number of known and unknowns and planning decisions could only be made on evidence that was in front of decision makers at that time.

It was stressed that the Local Plan was to ensure the Local Authority was able to keep control of decisions but it was important for it to have flexibility to respond to changes in circumstances and the Plan would be monitored to check it is performing as intended.  The Annual Monitoring Report would be brought back to OSMC as per the agreed governance arrangements and this could then inform whether the Plan needs to be reviewed (in whole or part). 

Hydraulic Modelling – Following a query raised by a Member, the Panel noted the Environment Agency’s ongoing work relating to flooding and hydraulic modelling.  One of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

Prior to consideration by Cabinet and Full Council, the Committee was provided with a presentation and report seeking Members views on the new Borough Strategy ‘Doncaster Delivering Together’ and the delivery programme up to 2030. 

It was explained that the Strategy proposed new ways of working to respond to local need and required input from across the whole of the Council and a wide range of public services, voluntary and community organisations, residents and the business community.  The presentation outlined:

·         Engagement Activity and what it told us;

·         DGT (Doncaster Growing Together) 2017-2021;

·         Components of the DDT:

Vision:            Cleaner and Green Doncaster;

                        Skill and Creative Doncaster;

                        Prosperous and Connected Doncaster;

                        Safe and Resilient Doncaster;

                        Healthy and Compassionate Doncaster;  and

                        Fair and Inclusive Doncaster.

Great 8 (cross cutting) priorities:

1.    Tackle climate change;

2.    Skills to thrive in life and work;

3.    Best place to do business and create good jobs;

4.    Build opportunities for healthier, happier and longer lives for all;

5.    Safer, cleaner and stronger communities where everyone belongs;

6.    A child and family-friendly borough;

7.    Transport and digital connections fit for the future;  and

8.    Promote the borough and its cultural, sporting and heritage opportunities.

At the conclusion of the presentation, the following areas were discussed by the Panel:

Making the document accessible and public friendly – this would be achieved through each partner who already had a record of delivering the Doncaster Growing Together.  The Strategy would include a 1 page simple summary of the document and engagements.  All the good work undertaken would be highlighted through a strapline, the “festival of hope”, at every opportunity.

Gold, Silver, Bronze Locality working – Members were pleased with how the system worked, for example tackling anti-social behaviour and crime, noting that the Silver partnership level would ensure resources were co-ordinated and focused in the correct areas, strengthening the Borough’s response.  In response to concern relating to smaller areas of deprivation being forgotten, it was stressed that any response to an issue or challenge through the DDT, was intelligence led.

Flexibility of the DDT – It was recognised that there had been a number of new Councillors elected and its stressed that the development of this Strategy would require flexibility to move with the Borough’s needs and change and would provide an ongoing opportunity for everyone to be involved and contribute to its continued development.  A Councillor stressed that they appreciated the DDT’s transparency and thought it outlined to residents the good work that had been undertaken and would continue.

Resources – it was recognised that Local Authority funding was limited therefore concern was expressed with regard to ambitious delivery.  It was explained that there was no clear answer to where funding would be met, however each action would be broken down, and undertaken piece by piece achieving funding as the Strategy moved forward.  For example, resources could be achieved through the Government, partners, the Local authority or the Mayoral combined authority but the partnership would continue to work together to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

The Committee was presented with the Sprotbrough Neighbourhood Development Plan for information prior to its formal adoption by Council as part of the statutory development plan for the Borough.  The Chair and Members of the Committee recognised the development of the Plan and the work of all involved.

RESOLVED that:-  the Sprotbrough Neighbourhood Development plan, be noted.

The Senior Governance Officer presented the 2021/22 Scrutiny work Plan for consideration and reminded Members of the current forward Plan of key decisions.  Each Scrutiny Chair updated the Committee on work undertaken to date and planned for the next meetings.

RESOLVED:  that the report, be noted.