Agenda item

(i)       Questions on Notice to the Executive:-

 

None received for this meeting.

 

(ii)           Questions without Notice to the Executive and the Chairs of Committees.

 

A.   Questions on Notice

 

No questions on Notice from Elected Members had been received for this meeting.

 

B.   Questions Without Notice

 

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 15.2, the Chair of Council sought questions from Elected Members during Question Time.

 

A.     Questions to the Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones.

  

Q.   Councillor Steve Cox asked the following question:-

 

“What part have you personally played in the negotiations with Peel and the closure of the Airport.  Why do we constantly receive updates through a person on social media resulting in Councillors not receiving them?”

 

A.   The Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones, gave the following response:-

 

“Doncaster Sheffield Airport (DSA) was and hopefully will again be a key economic driver for Doncaster, South Yorkshire and the North.

 

There is a great deal of complexity and commercial confidentiality involved in both the negotiations, and CPO process. It is up to our Officers and appointed experts to ensure we are fully compliant and do everything within our power to save our Airport.

 

I am leading our efforts to see DSA reopened, but I am not an expert in aviation or in the legal processes involved.  However, I am fully abreast, regularly updated, and committed to doing all we can to see our Airport reopen.

 

We regularly keep our MPs and Councillors up to date, when we have something to share.

 

It is not the role of MPs to be a part of such negotiations; the role of an MP is to represent the interests and concerns of their constituents in the House of Commons.

 

Trying to indicate that either you as a Ward Member or the MP for Don Valley have been excluded is simply false.  You have all had separate briefings and discussions with our Chief Executive and other Council Officers in relation to the Airport, but you must understand and appreciate that DSA is a key Doncaster and South Yorkshire asset, which is why we are taking our current stance.

 

There is a great deal of community, business and press interest in our efforts to save DSA. This is why we are very careful with our updates to ensure commercial confidentiality and that we do not say anything that could hinder the chance of a successful CPO or leave this Council liable.

 

From the start, I committed to providing updates as and when we can.  I cannot and will not provide a running commentary, as this is a complex commercial and legal process.

 

Our MP for Don Valley is not helping the situation, as he continues to share misinformation, especially in relation to CPO, devolved powers and the timelines involved.  He is happy to criticise me on social media, yet not once has he called me to discuss our Airport. It would appear that the Conservatives have resorted to being the nasty party.”

 

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 15.7, Councillor Steve Cox asked the following supplementary question:-

 

Q.   “The question I asked was, what part have you played.  I did not mention any MPs?”

 

A.   The Mayor Ros Jones gave the following response:-

 

“I have given a full and complete answer.  I have told you what part I have played.  I leave the proper Officers to do the negotiations.  I am kept fully updated and I then update Councillors, residents and ex-workers of the Airport.”

 

Q.   Councillor Gary Stapleton asked the following question:-

 

“The 22nd June is National Windrush Day and it is the 75th anniversary.  Are we applying for any available funding to mark this day with the Windrush community in Doncaster?”

 

A.     The Mayor Ros Jones, gave the following response:-

 

“The Council always celebrates Windrush Day and will continue to do so.  What we can do depends on available funding, but we will continue to celebrate it as we have always done.  It is part of the Fairness Forum.”

 

A.     The Chief Executive, Damian Allen, gave the following further response:-

 

“It is a significant date in the annual calendar and it is the 75th anniversary of Windrush.  When we received City Status last year, we identified a year of celebrations.  We are in the planning stage to do both events together to recognise the anniversary.”

 

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 15.7, Councillor Garry Stapleton asked the following supplementary question:-

 

Q.   “It has been announced that there is £750k funding available and each area can bid for up to £50k; you have 3 weeks to apply?”

 

A.   The Chief Executive, Damian Allen, gave the following response:-

 

“Our Head of Events is aware of this, which is the basis of our joint planning.  The benefit of holding both events together maximises the impact and ensures it is as efficient as possible, should we not be successful, given it is a competitive bid.”

 

Q.   Councillor Thomas Noon asked the following question:-

 

“Will the Mayor bring a vote back to Council regarding the Lease Agreement for Doncaster Sheffield Airport?  When I voted in November, I did not vote for a lease agreement with Peel.”

 

A.     The Mayor Ros Jones gave the following response:-

 

“We have to seriously consider this option if we wish to proceed with the Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) process.”

 

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 15.7, Councillor Thomas Noon asked the following supplementary question:-

 

Q.   “Do we have to proceed down the lease process to carry out a CPO?”

 

A.   The Mayor Ros Jones, gave the following response:-

 

“We have commenced the CPO process approved by Council.  The offer of purchase was made in order to bring the Airport back into operation, but it was rejected.  We will seriously consider anything else and we will continue to provide updates, but whilst it is being considered, we will continue the CPO process.”

 

Q.   Councillor Glenn Bluff asked the following question:-

 

“Sheffield will be adopting a Clean Air Zone in Sheffield.  Is Doncaster Council liable for any related costs either directly or through the Mayoral Authority?”

 

A.     Mayor Ros Jones gave the following reply:-

 

“I do not have the details of the costs relating to the Clean Air Zone and I do not know if we are liable, so I will provide you with a written response.”

 

Q.   Councillor Cynthia Ransome asked the following question:-

 

“When you made your pledge for tree planting, did you factor in a budget for staff? I am constantly asked by residents how they can help, but there is poor communication when no one gets back to them.  Can you help?”

 

A.     Mayor Ros Jones gave the following response-

 

“This is a question for the Chief Executive as it relates to staffing, but I know there has been an increase in staff in the Tree Team.”

 

A.     The Chief Executive, Damian Allen, gave the following response:-

 

“The Council committed £5m towards the Environmental Sustainability Strategy, which included the recruitment of an additional third Tree Team, but it has not been fully recruited to.  The tree target was not solely the Council, as residents were encouraged to plant their own trees and register them online on the Tree Register.  The Council has also agreed a contract with an external organisation to plant up to 20 tiny forests.  65,000 trees were planted last year.  If you have any questions, send them to me and I will forward them to the relevant Head of Service.”

 

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 15.7, Councillor Cynthia Ransome made the following statement:-

 

Q.   “A lot of other Councils have failed with their tree pledges mainly due to the lack of maintenance. It is a big problem because the Tree Team is short staffed.”

 

A.     The Chief Executive, Damian Allen, gave the following response:-

 

“We are experiencing high demand in a number of areas when recruiting to ‘hard to fill’ posts.”

 

Q.   Councillor Jane Cox asked the following question:-

 

“Regarding the comment made about ‘nasty Tories’, does the Mayor think that inflammatory language from high ranking politicians really helps the situation?”

 

A.     Mayor Ros Jones gave the following response:-

 

“I personally do not think my language was defamatory.”

 

B.     Questions to the Deputy Mayor, Councillor Glyn Jones, Cabinet Member for Housing and Business

 

Q.   Councillor Thomas Noon asked the following question:-

 

“How many Council Houses are currently in our housing stock and how many people are on the waiting list?”

 

A.     Councillor Glyn Jones gave the following response:-

 

“I do not have this information to hand, but it did fall to below 20,000 some months ago under St Leger Homes and I believe there are around 8,000 on the waiting list.  I will get a definitive figure and provide you with a written response.”

 

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 15.7, Councillor Thomas Noon asked the following supplementary question:-

 

Q.   “What percentage of the income from the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) is held back by the Council to re-invest into Social Housing?”

 

A.   Councillor Glyn Jones gave the following response:-

 

“The HRA is not held back, but I will provide you with a written response.”

 

C.   Questions to Councillor Lani-Mae Ball, Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Young People

 

Q.   Councillor Jane Cox asked the following question:-

 

“What were the number of vacancies in the Children’s Trust at the end of August and what is the number now.  What is the percentage increase overall of staff that this equates to?”

 

A.   Councillor Lani-Mae Ball gave the following response:-

 

“I do not have this information to hand, so I will provide you with a written response.  Discussions have been held at the Corporate Parenting Board about the recruitment and retention of staff, and it is beneficial to continue these conversations at the Board.”

 

Q.   Councillor Laura Bluff asked the following question:-

 

“Now that the Children’s Trust is back in-house, how many unregulated placements are there and has there been an increase or decrease in these figures?”

 

A.     Councillor Lani-Mae Ball gave the following response:-

 

“I would need the figures in front of me to provide a response. 

It is not that it would change since the Trust came back in-house; it is not a factor, it is the market.  Privatised children’s homes or unregulated care homes are where we are at with regard to placements, which drives up costs.  The unregulated part is for 16 years plus.  We have had wider discussions on this issue at the Corporate Parenting Board, but I will provide you with the data in a written response.”

 

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 15.7, Councillor Laura Bluff asked the following supplementary question:-

 

Q.   Would you include how many Under 16s there are?”

 

A.   Councillor Lani-Mae Ball gave the following response:-

 

“Yes I will, but it is 0.  Please note that this issue is not within my Portfolio.”

 

D.   Questions to Councillor Nigel Ball, Cabinet Member for Public Health, Leisure, Culture and Planning

 

Q.   Councillor Steve Cox asked the following question:-

 

“Would it be possible to know when we can see the Heritage Report?  I am unable to locate it on the website.  It is about a review undertaken by someone from outside the Council looking at the restructure of Heritage and its services.  We were told that a report or a Strategy would be brought back to Council.  We still do not know what came out of that piece of work.

 

A.   Councillor Nigel Ball gave the following response:-

 

“Regarding the website, it could be the search mechanism which is not working.  In terms of the Heritage Report, there were a number of elements to it.  The first was around the restructure of staff and the service, which has now been concluded.  I was at an event at the Mansion House this morning around the next steps for the staff and where we were going in terms of developing the service, and moving towards commercialisation to bring money into Doncaster.

 

Regarding the Cultural Services staff, it has been a traumatic couple of years.  They have had to decant from the old Library and Museum and moved to DGLAM (Danum Gallery, Library and Museum), and the formation of the Archives Centre, which is positive news for Doncaster.  Staff needed to be more tied into work and we needed more flexibility, so the restructure has been positive.

 

In terms of the report, we have just launched our Cultural Strategy and I will provide you with a copy.  With regard to the service and where it is going, this will provide you with the information and the details.  Regarding the day to day running of the service, we are hoping to look at the commercialisation of some of our services in terms of the events side at Cusworth Hall and the Mansion House.

 

With regard to Councillor Stapleton’s earlier question, the Cultural Services Team are working on the issue he raised and are looking at funding, in particular Windrush.  In terms of Windrush, it has been 75 years, so it should be celebrated, and we need to recognise that since the scandal in 2018, over 83 people have been wrongly deported and out of these, only 5% have received compensation, which is a direct result of the 2012 Hostile Environment Legislation.”

 

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 15.7, Councillor Steve Cox made the following statement:-

 

Q.   “It is important for Doncaster.  There are relatives and people who still live in Doncaster and their story needs to be told.”

 

A.   Councillor Nigel Ball gave the following response:-

 

“I totally agree.”

 

Q.   Councillor Thomas Noon asked the following question:-

 

“71% of adults are overweight or obese; 27% of five year olds and 38% of 11 year olds.  Our new £5m refurbishment of Askern Leisure Centre will not have a gym.  Can you explain how this will reduce obesity levels of children and adults in my Ward?”

 

A.   Councillor Nigel Ball gave the following response:-

 

“I acknowledge the point about obesity; page 31 of the Director of Public Health’s Annual Report outlines the factors affecting people’s health.  Regarding Askern Leisure Centre, it will have a gym and a new swimming pool. We are looking at the Country Park to encourage people to use the green space.  I am happy to discuss the issue with you further after the meeting.”

 

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 15.7, Councillor Thomas Noon asked the following supplementary question:-

 

Q.   “I have received two emails from Officers two days ago, stating that there will be no gym at Askern Leisure Centre and referring to consultation which I am not aware of?”

 

A.     Councillor Ball gave the following response:-

 

“It would be useful if you could forward the emails on to me, as Askern is one of the areas we want to invest in.”

 

E.    Questions to Councillor Joe Blackham, Cabinet Member for Highways, Infrastructure and Enforcement

 

Q.   Councillor Cynthia Ransome asked the following question:-

 

“Fly Tipping is a huge problem for Doncaster.  When offenders are caught, apart from their fine, can they work for 7 days alongside our Officers to clear up the fly tipping.  This would help with staffing and send a clear message to those who fly tip. I ask for your help in looking into implementing this?”

 

A.   Councillor Blackham gave the following response:-

 

“It is a major problem across this and every Borough across the Country, so I will assist in any way that I can to alleviate this problem.”

 

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 15.7, Councillor Cynthia Ransome asked the following supplementary question:-

 

Q.   “Is the picking up of litter by young people after receiving a fine, still continuing within the neighbourhoods?”

 

A.   Councillor Blackham gave the following response:-

 

“It does.”

 

F.    Questions to Councillor Rachael Blake, Cabinet Member for Children’s Social Care, Communities and Equalities

 

In the absence of Councillor Rachael Blake, Cabinet Member for Children’s Social Care, Communities and Equalities, Members were asked to submit their questions in writing to the Executive Office and a written response would be provided.

 

G.   Questions to Councillor Phil Cole, Cabinet Member for Finance and Trading Services

 

Q.   Councillor Steve Cox asked the following question:-

 

“With the Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) for the Airport rolling on, have you been privy to any further information and in terms of costs, as this links to your Portfolio?”

 

A.   Councillor Phil Cole gave the following reply:-

 

“I have been fully involved in discussions at Cabinet and the Mayor has kept Cabinet Members fully appraised.  Council received a report at its last meeting which it voted on.  The exact costs for the CPO will be subject to a large number of considerations over the next couple of years and therefore exact costings are only guessable.  There is no figure I can give you which will accurately predict all the possible outcomes and as the Mayor explained earlier to Council in response to another question, there are a range of stages that are undertaken before any CPO is completed.”

 

Q.   Councillor Steve Cox asked the following question:-

 

“What happened to the proposed eating establishment put forward by the Doncaster Market operators?”

 

A.     Councillor Phil Cole gave the following response:-

 

“I think you are referring to the proposed improvement and refurbishment of the Corn Exchange building and Market which includes the development of a food retail offer.  This is in the latter stage of accessing all the options and may or may not be realised.”

 

Q.   Councillor Glenn Bluff asked the following question:-

 

“The dedicated schools grant in the annual report in March last year, was £9.1m in the red, an increase of £3.8m.  In March 2022, the External Auditors Annual Statement stated the DSG deficit was approaching £11.8m, but the External Auditors asked for assurance that was not going to increase and you wrote that the Council had a plan to eradicate the deficit by 2027.  The Government has allowed this deficit to be kept off the Council balance sheets until April 2023.  Can we expect this deficit to be reduced by the time it ends on our balance sheet in April this year?”

 

A.     Councillor Phil Cole gave the following response:-

 

“I will provide you with a written response.”

 

Q    Councillor Cynthia Ransome asked the following question:-

 

“At the last Council meeting, I asked a question and you provided me with a written response, but the answer is not in the minutes.  The question was put to me by a member of the public, so it would be prudent that the answer appear in the minutes?”

 

A.   Councillor Phil Cole gave the following response:-

 

“I asked at the time if the written answer was published in the minutes and I was advised that this was not normal practice.”

 

A.     The Monitoring Officer, Scott Fawcus, provided the following response:-

 

“It is not usual practice to include written responses within the minutes.  You are welcome to share the response received with the member of the public to make them aware that you did ask the question and received a response.”

 

H.   Questions to Councillor Mark Houlbrook, Cabinet Member for Sustainability and Waste

 

There were no questions put to Mark Houlbrook, Cabinet Member for Sustainability and Waste. 

 

I.     Questions to Councillor Jane Nightingale, Cabinet Member for Corporate Resources

 

Q.   Councillor Steve Cox asked the following question:-

 

“What is the Council doing to uphold GDPR when Officers are working from home; is the kitchen table still acceptable?”

 

A.     Councillor Nightingale gave the following response:-

 

“We have had discussions on this issue, but I will provide you with a written response.”

 

Q.   Councillor Jane Cox asked the following question:-

 

“I am enquiring about the Single Point of Contact (SPOC) Policy; when was it written, when was it last revised and which Scrutiny Panel did it go through?”

 

A.   Councillor Jane Nightingale gave the following response:-

 

“It does not fall within my remit.  I believe the Chief Executive and Monitoring Officer deal with SPOC; it is not something I deal with.”

 

A.   The Chief Executive, Damian Allen, gave the following response:-

 

“It relates to the persistent complaints policy.  I will send a copy to Councillor Jane Cox and I will respond to any enquiries she has relating to the SPOC process, which falls within my remit.”

 

J.    Questions to Councillor Andrea Robinson, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care

 

Q.   Councillor Thomas Noon asked the following question:-

 

“I have had a number of residents waiting for a medical assessment from the Occupational Therapy Team at Doncaster Council for over 9 months; why is this happening and what is being done to address this issue?”

 

A.   Councillor Andrea Robinson gave the following response:-

 

“A lot of work has been done to address this issue and waiting times are now coming down, but I will provide you with a written response.”

 

K.    Questions to Councillor Austen White, Chair of the Audit Committee

 

In the absence of Councillor Austen White, Chair of the Audit Committee, Members were asked to submit their questions in writing to the Head of Internal Audit, Peter Jackson, and a written response would be provided.

 

L.    Questions to Councillor Julie Grace, Chair of the Elections and Democratic Structures Committee

 

There were no questions put to Councillor Julie Grace, Chair of the Elections and Democratic Structures Committee.

 

M.   Questions to Councillor Rachael Blake, Chair of the Health and Wellbeing Board

 

In the absence of Councillor Rachael Blake, Chair of the Health and Wellbeing Board, Members were asked to submit their questions in writing to the Executive Office and a written response would be provided.

 

N.   Questions to Councillor Jane Kidd, Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee

 

There were no questions put to Councillor Jane Kidd, Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee.