Agenda item

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

“We have all seen over recent weeks and months, the build-up of the Russian military on the Ukrainian border, with the Russian President stating on numerous occasions that there was no plan to invade Ukraine.  The past few days have proved this to be nothing more than lies.

My sympathy goes out to the people of Ukraine.  It is the innocent men, women and children who will be the biggest victims of this war.

I trust that Western allies can find ways and means of freeing the people of Ukraine from this oppression, and that the people of Ukraine can once again enjoy the freedom that they deserve, away from tyranny and terror.

Doncaster is currently twinned with Ozyorsk in Russia.  I must inform Council that I plan to formally end this twinning relationship, in outrage to the actions of the Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has invaded a previously peaceful and democratic country and brought war to the European continent, not seen in over 75 years.

Doncaster stands with Ukraine during this difficult time, and anything that we think is difficult in this country pales into insignificance when we see what the people of Ukraine are now having to endure.  In support of Ukraine, from this evening, we will be lighting our Mansion House and Doncaster Gallery, Library and Museum, in the colours of the Ukrainian flag, in solidarity and support for Ukraine and Ukrainians across the world.

The thoughts and prayers of everyone here in Doncaster are with the Ukrainian people.”

Councillor Mark Houlbrook, Cabinet Member for Sustainability and Waste, made the following announcement:-

“On behalf of Doncaster Council, I would like to say a huge thank you to all the staff who went the extra mile earlier in the month, dealing with 3 successive storms, extreme winds, a mini tornado and flooding across the Borough.  I would also like to pay tribute to our partners, including the emergency services and the Environment Agency.

The floods last week were a stark reminder to us all of the devastating floods of 2019, where some communities are still picking up the pieces.

The Connected by Water Action Plan was recently launched.  This is a £400 million scheme to better protect thousands of homes and businesses from severe flooding in South Yorkshire.  Doncaster Council is leading on the following projects:-

• Bentley Flood Alleviation Scheme
• Conisbrough Natural Flood Management
• Tickhill Natural Flood Management
• Doncaster Borough wide Surface Water Flood Alleviation Scheme

We are also supporting the Environment Agency with the following projects:-

• Fishlake Flood Alleviation Scheme & Recovery
• St Marys Bridge Wall Refurbishment
• Nature Based Solutions in Lower Don
• Refurbishment and Replacement of Lower Don Embankment
• Wheatley Park Embankment Refurbishment

I will be perfectly honest with you all in that there is a significant shortfall within the current funding settlement from Government. Government has currently committed £153million, with a further £34 million in partnership funding; this leaves a £211million funding shortfall.  We will continue to work with the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority to lobby Government for the further required funding.  For every £1 spent on flood protection, our residents and businesses avoid around £5 in property damage.  If Government is serious about levelling up Doncaster and the North, then this must include funding the protection and resilience of our communities from flooding.

My final point is that there is currently a consultation taking place in relation to the Connected by Water South Yorkshire Action Plan, which I would encourage residents, businesses and fellow Councillors to get involved with, and put forward their views and experiences. The consultation can be found on the Environment Agency website and I will share the website via my twitter and Facebook channels.”