Agenda item

The Chair of Council, Councillor Paul Wray, made the following announcement:-

“On Remembrance Sunday, a small Civic Party, including myself, Mayor Jones, the Vice Lord-Lieutenant, High Sheriff, Canon Stevens, Chief Executive, Dame Rosie Winterton, MP, Ben Parkinson, representatives from the Royal British Legion and Her Majesty’s Armed Forces, held a small service of Remembrance at the War Memorial on Bennetthorpe to remember all those servicemen and women who gave their lives in two World Wars and later conflicts.

On the 11th of November at 11 a.m., we also observed a two minute silence on the steps of the Mansion House.

Both events were much smaller in scale than previous years due to the restrictions we are all living and working under, but it was only right that we marked these occasions with the reverence and solemnity that they deserved, and I was honoured to be a part of the service.

Both events were filmed and put on social media, and can be viewed on the Visit Doncaster Facebook page.”

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

Since the 5th of November, the Country has once again entered into a period where further restrictions have been placed on our lives.  The conditions of operation and the context are much different than the lock-down from March to June.  We know that Council services provide a lifeline to many individuals and businesses in the community, so I want to make sure our residents know that Doncaster Council is open for business.  In addition, we have increased our local capacity to support our Local Test and Trace Team, support to the clinically extremely vulnerable, strengthening our Town Centre marshalling capacity and making business support payments.

The infection rates for Doncaster are dropping, which is positive, but I need to emphasise the importance of following the guidelines.  The faster we can get infection rates down, the better chance we have of being able to spend Christmas with our friends and family, but I will not lie to you, this festive season will be very different.

We are putting the necessary building blocks in place to support Doncaster to get ready for the next phase and our focus continues to be on protecting lives and livelihoods.  As we start our Christmas shopping, please back our local businesses.  You will find that many are now online or offer click and collect services.  The more we support our local businesses as residents, the more we support local jobs and enterprise.

My second announcement is that it has been a year since many communities across Doncaster were hit by the devastating floods. It was an awful time for many and we know some are still suffering one year on.  My thoughts are with those who are still trying to get their lives back to some degree of normality.

Despite the impact of the COVID-19 emergency, a significant amount of work has been carried out already to prepare for whatever weather the winter months may bring us.  This will provide better protection and support for our communities.  As part of this work, a large number of flood mitigation measures have been put in place by Doncaster Council, the Environment Agency, water companies and Drainage Boards.

We are committed to helping to mitigate against potential flooding, and ensuring our communities are well prepared as winter approaches.  We are better prepared and more resilient in order to respond when the time comes.

I will continue to press Central Government for funding for further flood prevention and alleviation works across Doncaster, and the wider Don catchment.  At the beginning of the month, I signed a letter alongside Sheffield City Region Mayor Dan Jarvis and our other South Yorkshire Leaders, calling on Government to plug the gap with an investment of £36m to support an initial 9 priority schemes from our full list of 27.  Supporting these 9 priority schemes would represent a much-needed step change in investment in the South Yorkshire region and in the North.”

Councillor Jane Nightingale, Cabinet Member for Customer and Corporate Services, made the following announcement:-

“This is just a brief announcement regarding some training.  The South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Integrated Risk Management Plan training is to take place on 27th November at 9.30 am and the Deputy Chief Fire Officer will be presenting the Integrated Risk Management Plan to Members, which is currently out to consultation, with a follow up briefing session.  Obviously, this would be the perfect opportunity for Members to attend to ask any questions of the Deputy Chief Fire Officer on this issue.”

The Chief Executive, Damian Allen, made the following announcements:-

“I have three announcements to make.

As I am sure you are aware, Peter Dale, the Councils Director of Economy and Environment, retired on 9th November.

Peter, who is from Adelaide, South Australia, has worked in Local Government for over 20 years.  Prior to moving to Doncaster, Peter held a number of executive positions in the Public Sector, having worked for the City of Woodville, the City of Charles Sturt and the City of Adelaide.  In all of these positions, Peter had responsibility for delivering significant multi-million dollar regeneration projects including the development of Adelaide’s first Digital Precinct.  Peter moved to the United Kingdom in 2004, to take up the position of Director of Development with the Council and has remained with the Council since that time.

During his time with the Council, Peter has been instrumental, working with partners in delivering a transformational regeneration programme within the Borough that has seen among other things, the building of a new Community Stadium, redevelopment, of the Town Centre as a Civic and Cultural quarter, redevelopment of the Racecourse, enhanced road links to the Borough, including a new link road to the Airport.  These initiatives have helped boost the local economy, create jobs and increase the footfall of people visiting the Borough.

Unfortunately, due to the current pandemic, we are unable to personally thank Peter for his significant contribution.  I am sure you will all wish to join me in thanking Peter for his dedicated service to the Council, and wish him and his family, our sincere best wishes for a long and happy retirement.

My second announcement relates to Peter’s successor, Dan Swaine, who joined us on 2nd November.

Dan has a wealth of experience in Local Government, particularly in regeneration and housing.  His most recent role was as Joint Chief Executive of Bolsover and North East Derbyshire District Councils.  Dan will be a great addition to our Leadership Team in the Borough and I am sure like me, you are looking forward to working with him and will join me now in welcoming him to Doncaster and his first Full Council meeting.

My third announcement is to inform Council that Jane Stimpson from our Planning Policy and Environment Team, sadly passed away on 5th November.  Jane was a kind and caring person who was a force for good; a strong proponent of good planning and defender of Doncaster’s interests.  She was reliable, inspirational, protective and a resilient natural leader, who was well respected amongst her peers, colleagues and the community.

For over 30 years, Jane worked conscientiously for the benefit of her hometown and our communities.  She started at Doncaster as a Development Control Officer, experienced strategic planning in the Policy Team, before managing the Built and Natural Environment Team, and more recently the larger Planning Policy and Environment Team which includes specialist Officers and those responsible for producing the Local Plan.

Jane will be greatly missed by her work colleagues and Members who she came into contact with.  I am sure Council would wish to join me in placing on record, our appreciation to Jane for her excellent work with the Council and to pass on our condolences to her husband David and family, on their tragic loss.”