Agenda item

Prior to Council’s consideration of the report, the Chair of Council, Councillor Linda Curran, reminded Members of the legal requirement to include in the minutes, details of how each Elected Member had voted on decisions relating to the budget and level of Council Tax. Therefore, items 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 would all be subject to a recorded vote and voting preferences would be documented in the minutes of this meeting.

Subsequently, the Council considered a report which was presented by the Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones, which outlined the Capital Strategy and Capital Programme Budget proposals for the next four years, 2020/21 to 2023/24.

The Mayor stated that the Council continued to invest in the future of the Borough despite the tough economic climate with over £300 million capital spend planned over the next four years.  Through this investment, residents across the Borough would benefit from projects to further improve education, housing, infrastructure, retail, leisure and culture, as well as attracting investors and visitors to the Borough.

It was reported that 2020 would see the completion of the new Central Library and Museum, and delivery of the new Cinema with six screens and five family restaurants.  The Cinema alone would provide 102 new jobs, adding to local employment opportunities for Doncaster and enhance the Civic and Cultural Quarter leisure offer.

Members were informed that £135 million would be invested in the Councils social housing stock over the next four years.  This would include maintenance, adaptations and the start of a 10 year new build programme which would see an estimated 560 new homes built over 10 years, with an overall budget of £100 million.  This investment would be the largest council house investment in Doncaster for many years.

The Mayor also reported that she would be bringing forward further capital schemes to invest in community facilities across Doncaster, which she would share once further details and funding had been agreed.

The Mayor hoped that the Prime Minister would stand by his words and level up the North because Doncaster was ready and waiting for the investment, and had schemes at the ready.  Doncaster had benefited over the years from the European Regional Development Fund, and the Council now awaited the detail around the proposed UK Shared Prosperity Fund, which it was hoped would favour Northern areas of the country.

Following the presentation of the Capital Strategy and Capital Programme Budget proposals, Members were afforded the opportunity to comment on the report.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 21.4, a recorded vote was taken on the recommendations contained within the report, which was declared as follows:-

For - 42

The Chair of Council, Councillor Linda Curran, the Vice-Chair of Council, Councillor Paul Wray, the Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones, the Deputy Mayor, Councillor Glyn Jones, and Councillors Duncan Anderson, Lani-Mae Ball, Nigel Ball, Iris Beech, Rachael Blake, Phil Cole, Mick Cooper, George Derx, Susan Durant, Nuala Fennelly, Neil Gethin, Sean Gibbons, John Gilliver, Pat Haith, John Healy, Rachel Hodson, Charlie Hogarth, Mark Houlbrook, David Hughes, Ken Keegan, Jane Kidd, Majid Khan, Tosh McDonald, Chris McGuinness, Sue McGuinness, Bill Mordue, John Mounsey, David Nevett, Jane Nightingale, Ian Pearson, Tina Reid, Andrea Robinson, Kevin Rodgers, Dave Shaw, Derek Smith, Frank Tyas, Austen White and Sue Wilkinson.

Against - 3

Councillors Nick Allen, Steve Cox and Jonathan Wood.

Abstain - 4

Councillors Nigel Cannings, Jane Cox, Martin Greenhalgh and R. Allan Jones.

On being put to the meeting, the recommendations contained within the report were declared CARRIED.

RESOLVED that

(1)      the Capital Strategy, as detailed within paragraphs 38 to 76 of the report, be approved;

(2)      the Capital Programme Budget for 2020/21 to 2023/24, as detailed within paragraphs 15 to 37 of the report, be approved;

(3)      Directors, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder, take responsibility for agreeing any significant changes to the Schools Condition Programme and the Local Transport Plan funding, and that they be agreed in consultation with the relevant Portfolio Holder; and

(4)      it be noted that capital bids will be approved as in year additions to the Capital Programme in line with the Council’s Financial Procedure Rules.