Agenda item

The Chair of Council, Councillor David Nevett, made the following announcement:-

“I’d like to send my congratulations to the organisers of the ‘Poppies at the Castle’ event which saw images of poppies projected onto the walls of Conisbrough Castle.

With the help of a grant from a local community fund established by the Council and successful Crowdfunding appeal, local organisers raised the £2,000 necessary to stage this magnificent display. 

It really is a fantastic example of a local community working together to develop and deliver such a wonderful event.”

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

“Colleagues, today I am publishing the draft proposals for the 2017/18 Council Budget. Details will be available on the Council Website following this meeting. We may have recently had a change of Prime Minister, but I am afraid this has not changed the overall situation that we face. Government cuts to Council budgets are continuing, despite rising prices and increasing demand for services.

I can confirm that over the next four years, Doncaster Council will need to meet a further annual budget gap rising to £70m. We have already had to take around £200m out of annual revenue budget since Government austerity measures began. This makes the task in hand more challenging. However, by taking an innovative, prudent and robust approach, we have managed to minimise the impact of these cuts on local residents, whilst focusing on our goals:-

·         To deliver efficient and effective public services;

·         To support our most vulnerable residents; and

·         To create new jobs, economic growth and housing.

We will continue this approach for the benefit of Doncaster, with the extension of successful initiatives such as our Smartlight project. We will also use our Capital Budget to invest in vital important improvement works and support new infrastructure.

By publishing these details today, colleagues have time to fully consider the draft budget before we debate it at Council in the New Year. In line with the offer I made last year, I would encourage all Councillors and Political Groups to get involved. I reiterate that offer and I am open to new proposals from colleagues, although I would add that any proposed amendments would need to demonstrate how they would be paid for.

If colleagues do wish to make any proposals, I would encourage them to do so at an early stage, in order that they can be fully considered and costed.

Moving on to my second announcement.

Whilst the news of further Government cuts to Council budgets is not welcome, I am determined that Doncaster should create its own future. We want a thriving Borough with a diverse economy, outstanding leisure opportunities and housing that meets the needs of everyone. I was therefore delighted to launch our new Masterplan for Doncaster Town Centre this morning.

It sets out a development framework which will ensure the centre of Doncaster drives the Borough’s economy, and is vibrant all week long. With its central location, a successful urban centre will deliver opportunities and benefits for communities across the whole district. It is vital for the economic future of our Borough, its residents and businesses.

The Masterplan proposes comprehensive and achievable plans to deliver this ambition. It also makes the most of our existing assets, including our markets, iconic heritage buildings, waterways and green spaces.  What is most exciting is that we are already putting the plan into action. Existing projects under development include further development of the market area and a new gateway to Doncaster at the Railway Station.

A summary of the Masterplan, which will be published in full in the New Year, is available on the Council Website.

Finally Chair, I wish to make a brief announcement with regard to HS2.

Last week, the Government announced that it was minded to accept the damaging new proposals for the HS2 in our region. We have already discussed the impact this will have, including the destruction of homes and damage to the economic growth forecasts. In July, we stood tougher, united in our opposition to the proposals. Our position has not changed. Through the current consultation, we will continue to oppose the proposal and fight for a better solution, one which reduces the impact on our local residents and delivers enhanced economic growth to our Region.”

Councillor Bill Mordue, Cabinet Member for Business, Skills, Tourism and Culture, made the following announcement:-

“I would like to echo what Mayor Jones has said. Despite the significant challenges and Government budget cuts we have faced in recent years, Price Waterhouse Cooper have listed Doncaster’s economic growth in the top five in the country and is among the fastest in the UK and I am sure colleagues would like to join me in welcoming this good news, and I would like to put it out there in the Public domain.”