Agenda item

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

“Colleagues, I would like to give you all a quick update in relation to trying to save Doncaster Sheffield Airport.

You will all be aware that we have commenced formal Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) proceedings, which is a lengthy and complicated legal process that will take roughly two years.

In an effort to avoid this lengthy legal process, we approached Peel and made a suggestion that this Council buy the freehold for the airport site.  We did not mention a monetary figure as that would require an independent valuation of a now closed airport site and to go through the appropriate decision mechanism, but Peel did know we were serious.  Unfortunately, Peel dismissed this completely, but stated they would look at a potential leasehold sale, which we are exploring whilst CPO proceedings continue.

I was planning to announce this today at Full Council, but unfortunately on Friday evening of last week, it became apparent that this letter had been leaked, hence the need for an urgent update to you and our MPs, alongside the press statement.  I would like to thank our Officers for the swift turnaround of this press statement.

Doncaster Sheffield Airport was a key economic driver for Doncaster, South Yorkshire and the North, and so it should be again.

I must emphasise to all of you that as we are in formal CPO legal proceedings and that there will be considerable legal challenges as we move forward, it is vital that we show a united front in our efforts to save our Airport.

Councillors are aware of the Ward Budgets which provides £3,000 of funding per Councillor, to award to community groups and organisations within their Ward.  This funding is to support our residents and communities at a neighbourhood level.  This financial year, we have seen grants paid out to food banks, youth groups, sports teams, leisure and craft groups.  These are but a few examples of where your Ward Budgets have been allocated, and your constituents are beyond grateful for the support, especially during these difficult times.

As you should already know, the deadline for submissions this year is the end of February.  I am proposing that any remaining Ward Budgets should be allocated to the Local Assistance Scheme.  This will enable the remaining funding to be able to support those most in need across Doncaster, rather than see the funding go back into the general fund.  We are also able to show you how many people within your Wards have already benefitted from the scheme this year.

I will be putting a formal decision through the appropriate Governance procedures in the next month or so, with the aim of being able to support the Local Assistance Scheme for the next financial year.

Colleagues, you are probably already aware, late last night Government announced the successful bids to the Levelling Up Fund, Round 2. Unfortunately neither our scheme for Don Valley or Doncaster North were successful. They have mentioned a third round, but at this stage, they have not said when this will be or the criteria.

We submitted strong bids that would have seen a new Leisure Centre for Edlington, Town Centre improvements for Mexborough and Moorends, and the redevelopment of Brodsworth Miners Welfare; all these schemes are now in jeopardy.

I will keep fighting for this Government to stand by their promise to Level Up this country; we have had nearly 13 years of Conservative failure.  Our NHS is in crisis, our economy is flat lining and we now have more foodbanks across the country than branches of McDonalds and KFC combined.

What is clear is that there are a significant number of successful recipients in areas whose social deprivation rankings should not warrant allocation, but clearly are benefiting based on political motives, particularly in the North West and South East.”