Agenda item

The Deputy Mayor, Councillor Glyn Jones, made the following announcements:-

“I would like to make a brief announcement in relation to Doncaster Sheffield Airport. Yesterday, Peel Group announced that the future of Doncaster Sheffield Airport is under review.

This is very disappointing news and I am saddened to hear that the future of Doncaster Sheffield Airport is under review by its owner The Peel Group.  The Airport is a major asset to Doncaster and the wider region, and I am urging that all avenues to make it viable commercially are fully investigated.  Doncaster Sheffield Airport is the best Airport in Yorkshire, the best connected by road and hopefully soon to be by rail, and it also has one of the longest runways in the country.

I am sure all Council will be concerned about this development and like myself, Mayor Ros Jones and Cabinet, would want to see the Airport as part of our future.  We are actively engaging with the Airport owners, our MPs and the South Yorkshire Mayor, and making it clear our position in wanting an Airport in Doncaster, and for the benefit of the wider region.  The loss of aviation services could have an impact on wider investment into both the Airport and the Gateway East development.  I encourage everyone to rally behind efforts to safeguard our aviation industry in Doncaster and I ask our MPs and the Mayor of South Yorkshire, to do all the lobbying they can with Government.  What we need from Government is a long term funding package to support the Airport in the medium term. From Government, we need the commitment of money, not just empty words.

Secondly, I would like to put on record this Council’s congratulations to Tariq Shah on being awarded an OBE as part of the Queen’s Birthday Honours for his services to charity. Tariq often works with Doncaster Council, he was a key member of our City Status bid team and is currently involved in our bid to be the new home of Great British Railways.  He also chairs our Doncaster Town Deal Board.

Tariq, thank you for all you have done and all you continue to do; congratulations on your OBE.

I would also like to congratulate the People Focused Group and b:friend who have both been awarded a Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the UK’s highest accolade for such services and known as the MBE for volunteering groups.”

Councillor Nigel Ball, Cabinet Member for Public Health, made the following announcement:-

“I would also like to put on record our immense admiration and thanks to our Director of Public Health, Dr Rupert Suckling, on being awarded an MBE as part of Her Majesties Birthday Honours.

Rupert, you led the Public Health response to Covid here in Doncaster. Your calm and collected approach focussed on facts, and you were the expert and reassuring voice that this Council and our residents needed at a time of such pain, suffering and loss. As we all know, even though hospitalisations and deaths have decreased, contracting Covid is still a danger and you, working with our partners in the NHS, continue to provide up to date guidance and data for the people of Doncaster.

I have seen first-hand how hard yourself, the Public Health Team and Council employees have worked in our most critical periods during the pandemic, and you are all a credit to the Borough.

Rupert, congratulations and thank you for all you have done, and your continued service to this Council and the people.”