Agenda item

(a)   From Councillor Clive Stone to the Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones:-

 

“For past 18 months, Rossington has been blighted by a huge increase in waste processing, and an increase in heavy good vehicles, with no regard to the community.

 

Despite having an alternative route, Vehicles are travelling through the heart of Rossington past 3 junior schools.

 

DMBC Planning  are looking at granting retrospective planning permission for this lorry park which has been used since August of last year with NO planning permission at all !! to continue as a staging post for HGVs  for another 18 months!

 

The site is NOT fit for purpose and the access is  sited on a blind bend, dangerous for pedestrians and motorists.

 

Can we reassure residents that their concerns are being heard and we review and consider all of the objections seriously?”

 

(b)      From Councillor John Cooke to the Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones:-

 

“Our fresh produce market are a jewel in the crown of Doncaster, yet many stall holders are unhappy with the rents, and charges applied by this Council and many are now considering their future, which is extremely worrying with so many businesses moving out of the town centre.

 

With the advent of Christmas would the council please consider these long standing stall holders and look at reducing their charges before they start voting with their feet, along with lifting parking charges on market days to encourage people to come in to the town and benefit from this fantastic award winning market of ours.

 

I am sure all councillors would support our local market and promote this most valuable of assets?”

A.     Questions on Notice

 

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 15.2, the Chair accepted the following questions from Elected Members during “Question Time”:-

 

(a)    From Councillor Clive Stone to the Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones:-

 

Q. “For past 18 months, Rossington has been blighted by a huge increase in waste processing, and an increase in heavy good vehicles, with no regard to the community.

 

Despite having an alternative route, Vehicles are travelling through the heart of Rossington past 3 junior schools.

 

DMBC Planning are looking at granting retrospective planning permission for this lorry park which has been used since August of last year with no planning permission at all!! To continue as a staging post for HGVs for another 18 months!

 

The site is not fit for purpose and the access is sited on a blind bend, dangerous for pedestrians and motorists.

 

Can we reassure residents that their concerns are being heard and we review and consider all of the objections seriously?”

 

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

 

“Thank you for your question Councillor Stone.

 

I am also concerned about this issue. I would like to reassure you, and residents in Rossington, that the Council is working hard to try and help resolve the problem.

 

The increase in HGV movements to the Attero Waste Recycling Site occurred because the Environment Agency issued an Environmental Permit Variation.  This variation allowed an increase in the volume of waste imported to the site annually. It was done without any consultation with the Council.

 

Since this time, the Council has been working hard to ensure that the waste processing sites along Bankwood Lane are operating in line with their planning permissions, specifically in terms of hours of operation.

 

Enforcement action has been undertaken and Breach of Condition Notices have been served on three waste operators. A significant level of monitoring has been carried out by Officers in the Enforcement Team, to ensure compliance with the notices.  Ultimately, the best solution would be to create new access into the Industrial Estate which takes traffic away from residential areas whilst supporting businesses to flourish.

 

The Council has therefore been exploring this opportunity with key local businesses and landowners; we are in advanced discussions over the provision of a new link road from the Great Yorkshire Way, which would reduce the amount of traffic on the local highway network.  Through these negotiations, I am hopeful that the project can be delivered.

 

In the meantime, we must deal with the matter in hand as effectively as possible, within planning regulations and the law. Unfortunately, planning conditions cannot be retrospectively set to limit activity or stipulate routing.  The Council has no traffic or highway powers to be able to restrict the volume or type of vehicles using the public highway to legitimately access these premises.  Any weight limits for example, would need to allow exemptions for access.  I would however, certainly encourage operators to make good use of the new access to Rossington in order to balance the impact on this community.

 

In terms of the HGV holding area, I understand that a planning application has been received by the Council from Attero.  This is for a temporary use of a piece of land at the junction of Bankwood Lane and West End Road.

 

A significant level of publicity has been carried out by the Planning Department to ensure that residents have an opportunity for their concerns to be heard.  This included a recent ‘drop-in’ even at the Memorial Hall in Rossington.  As part of the Council’s consideration of the planning application, the highways implications will also be fully assessed by Highways Officers.  Access and pedestrian safety are key concerns, and they will be looked at.

 

I can assure you that no recommendation has been made yet on the current planning application.  Once the consultation has been completed, the application will need to be submitted to the Planning Committee for a decision. 

 

It is important to be clear that as Mayor, I cannot get involved in the determination of planning applications.  That decision must go through the proper process.  However, all representations made on the planning application will be given full consideration and residents’ voices will be heard.”

 

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

 

Q. “Thank you for your response.  The new access to these sites will take a further 12-18months.  In the meantime, these vehicles will continue travelling through the heart of the village past all the Schools and residents’ properties, the Police Station, level crossings etc.  We do not have a single pedestrian crossing anywhere along the route; residents’ safety and concerns must be a priority and must be addressed accordingly.

 

Why has the company been allowed to use land for the last 15 months with no planning permission in place at all.  Is this a case of business coming first over the concerns of residents and how has this improved the quality of life of residents on the Bankwood Lane Estate when we are looking to grant an extension of 18 months retrospectively?”

 

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

 

“As I said, Planning Committee will consider this and all representatives will be heard, but I cannot interfere with due process.”

 

(b)    From Councillor John Cooke to the Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones:-

 

Q. “Our fresh produce Market is a jewel in the crown of Doncaster, yet many stall holders are unhappy with the rents and charges applied by this Council, and many are now considering their future, which is extremely worrying with so many businesses moving out of the Town Centre.

 

With the advent of Christmas, would the Council please consider these long standing stall holders and look at reducing their charges before they start voting with their feet, along with lifting parking charges on market days to encourage people to come in to the Town and benefit from this fantastic award winning Market of ours.

 

I am sure all Councillors would support our local Market and promote this most valuable of assets?”

 

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

 

“Thank you for your question Councillor Cooke.

 

Doncaster Market certainly is a jewel in our crown and one of Doncaster’s key assets.  I am determined that they should be as successful as possible.

 

We have already undertaken a number of initiatives to support the Market and its traders since I became Mayor.  This includes action, agreed with the Market Traders, to cut rent rises this year.  It follows the implementation of a 10% rent reduction for three months which I also agreed earlier this year to support traders.

 

I am also pleased to announce that we will once again be providing free parking at Chappell Drive in the lead up to Christmas.  This will support the Market and the Town Centre as a whole. In addition, we have an array of exciting events and activities taking place.  They include the recent successful Christmas Lights Switch On and I can confirm that the Christmas Land Train will be returning to the markets again.

 

Of course, the Coca-Cola Lorry will be bringing even more Christmas spirit to the Market when it arrives in Doncaster on December 8th. Over 3500 people have already indicated that they will be attending that event, giving a huge boost to the Markets and its Traders.

 

We are further developing our partnership approach to services and events in the Town Centre. Colleagues will also have noted that extra Police Officers have been allocated to the Town Centre and Markets area, to help ensure the environment remains pleasant and safe for traders and our residents.

 

I can announce that we are also producing a new ‘Doncaster Markets 2025 Strategy’ to ensure that the Markets continue to improve and remain successful in the coming years.

 

Finally, as colleagues have heard, this morning I launched our exciting new Masterplan to boost the Town Centre.  Regeneration of the Markets area is a key cornerstone of the masterplan.  We are determined to create a successful Markets area which is vibrant seven days a week, rather than just on market days.

 

Our new plans will make the most of our iconic heritage buildings, including the Corn Exchange and Wool Market. Restoration work has already started on the Corn Exchange Building and the plan will also deliver additional parking at the popular markets car park.

 

Together, these initiatives demonstrate how my Cabinet and I are working together to deliver a comprehensive and achievable plan to maximise the success of our Markets and whole Town Centre.  It is a plan that has been sorely missing under the previous administration, but one that shows the difference that can be achieved under a Labour Mayor.

 

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

 

Q. “Although I appreciate the positive efforts of the Mayor to promote the Market at Christmas and I do agree that this Council requires a suitable and sustainable plan, it should enshrine a clear, free parking policy for close and adjacent car parks on a 7 day, 52 week basis, especially in the afternoons, to encourage and enable greater access to our jewel in the crown which was developed by independent traders well before this current Labour administration?”

 

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

 

“Thank you for your second question and I reiterate that we’re making the whole of the Chappell Drive car park available from the 7th of December which will assist not only the Market, but also the trade within the whole of the Town Centre.”

 

(B)  Questions Without Notice

 

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 15.2, the Chair accepted the following questions from Elected Members during Question Time:-

 

A.     Questions to Ros Jones, Mayor of Doncaster

 

Q.  Councillor James Hart asked the Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones:-

 

“I want to ask a quick question around the Urban Master Plan announced earlier today.  I love a master plan; I think it is fantastic.  I am a firm believer in the fact that we would not have the building we are sat in, or CAST and some of the other improvements we have around the Town Centre if we did not have a forward looking plan.

 

I was a little surprised with the communication you sent out earlier on including the details of the Plan from your own website; although, I thought it was a bit early for electioneering.  But, I am interested to hear about how we will take this forward and what sort of timescales are involved, and the action plans behind it and if there is anything you can ‘flesh out’ for us, but I appreciate that it is early days?”

 

A.     “As the actual statement states, this is actually a plan to hang many things on.  It splits the Borough so that we can actually get the right call as we work forward in order to achieve economic benefit for all.  Individual schemes will come along and will be undertaken with consultation and networking with the right people. What we are saying is this; we have commenced work on the Market, we will be commencing work on the Railway Station which is the gateway to the centre, but this is the initial launch and the full Master Plan will be out there, early next year, for people to see.  This is the right thing to do.  This is not about electioneering; this is about actually improving the economy of this Borough, which we all should get behind, and make sure we make Doncaster a thriving, economic, sustainable place.  Thank you for your question.”

 

Q.   Councillor Nick Allen asked the Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones:-

 

“I would like to know what meaningful assistance the Council has offered to the residents of ‘Tent City’ which seems to have appeared over the last month or so.  I am sure we are all aware of the bad winter we are going to have and yet, here we have a very obvious and real problem with homelessness in the Town. ‘Tent City’; I am sure we could offer them meaningful assistance other than tents?”

 

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

 

“Homelessness is increasing in Towns and Cities across the country. It is something that should concern us all and in my view, the Government must take action to tackle the root causes of the problem.

 

Their austerity measures are clearly hitting the poor people who can afford it least. Of course, homelessness and ‘sleeping rough’ is a complex issue, but we have some excellent services in Doncaster, provided through the Council, St. Leger Homes and a range of local organisations. Council Officers have been to the site to see the organisers of ‘Tent City’ to speak to those there and support them into services.

 

We have already had success through this approach and we will continue the work being done.  We have also offered ‘Tent City’ a seat at the table to speak to us and share their knowledge and experience with us. I am pleased to say that we have agreed to work together, along with others who are trying to help the homeless, to address the issue.

 

Only if we work in this way will we succeed in helping as many people who find themselves homeless or sleeping rough so we are working very much in partnership with as many different sectors as possible.”

 

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

 

Q. “Has any of that assistance actually moved any people from the streets into a home?”

 

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

 

“The assistance provided has certainly moved at least 5 people and I know of 1 further person who has moved away to find housing.  We will continue to work with all concerned who have complex needs; 6 people have already been assisted and we will work with each and every one.”

 

Q.   Councillor Clive Stone asked the Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones:-

 

“Following on from Councillor John Cooke’s remarks, I was wondering why it’s not possible with regard to the Market Place, to follow the example of Rotherham and Barnsley Councils who have obliterated the car parking charges totally at weekends to enhance footfall in their Markets.

 

It’s welcome that we have free parking facilities at Chappell Drive, but has anyone tried to cross the dual carriage way with bags of shopping on a Saturday?  It’s welcomed, but unfortunately it’s not really what we are looking for.”

 

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

 

“We will continue to support where we can with massively reduced resources imposed upon us from Central Government.  We are working with the Market Traders and what we have done with their rents alone is a big assistance to them. 

 

I too walk along that road and park at Chappell Drive, and carry bags.  More importantly, we are actually helping not only the Market Traders, but also the whole of the Town Centre which needs massive help in order to make ours a really vibrant Town.  We have actually survived very well regarding the closure of certain stores, but more importantly, we have got to ensure that we deliver for the whole of the Borough and the Markets is one part which we see as very much a corner stone. Thank you for your question.”

 

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

 

Q.  “Just to add another fact, we are aware that three Market Stall Holders will be leaving the Market after Christmas which is a sad indictment, so let’s see what happens?”

 

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

 

“I would urge any of the Market traders to speak directly with our Market staff.  We are working hand in glove; we are always there trying to assist where we can so I would urge them to get in touch with the Market staff initially, because I know there is consultation currently going on now.”

 

B.     Questions to the Deputy Mayor, Councillor Glyn Jones, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Equalities

 

Q.  Councillor Rachael Hodson asked the Deputy Mayor, Councillor Glyn Jones:-

 

“Does the Deputy Mayor agree with me that the lack of funding for the NHS and Social Care in the Government’s Autumn Statement, is a damning indictment of the Government’s approach to sick and vulnerable people?  Listening to the budget, it would seem that the Chancellor forgot to mention the NHS completely.”

 

A.     The Deputy Mayor, Councillor Glyn Jones, gave the following response:-

 

“Thank you for your question. I too am deeply disappointed that there was no announcement from the Chancellor yesterday regarding funding for the NHS and particularly, Social Care.

 

The Government is forcing costs on to local taxpayers and it is quite simply not good enough; it’s not good enough when a national solution is required for this issue.

 

It is not just me that thinks this is a major problem.  Lord Porter of Spalding, the Conservative Chair of the Local Government Association, led criticisms, warning that Local Authorities face a £5.8bn, (I did say a £5.8bn) funding gap by 2020, putting services at breaking point.

 

He said ‘It is unacceptable that this has not been addressed in the Autumn Statement’, and quite frankly, I agree with him.”

 

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

 

Q.  “Thank you for your response. Just to say, I am sure that all the Councillors hope that you are doing everything that you can to try and put pressure on the Government to look again and increase the funding going into the NHS and Social Care, especially given the dire state of the situation, especially in Doncaster and its surrounding communities?”

 

A.  The Deputy Mayor gave the following response:-

 

“Indeed Councillor Hodson, we are doing that, along with the LGA who I know are making representations on our behalf on a daily basis.  Thank you for your question.”

 

Q.  Councillor Cynthia Ransome asked the Deputy Mayor, Councillor Glyn Jones:-

 

“Councillor Jones, I would like to ask a question with regard to the equalities of the elderly residents in rural areas.  In my Ward, elderly residents in Hampole and Skelbrooke no longer have a bus service.  They did have a bus that ran two days a week, which in fact they couldn’t use their bus passes on and had to pay for, but then the bus was stopped and these people were been forced into isolation.  Now, we do have a bus one day a week, which is on a Monday and which its users have to pay for, but this is no good, it’s not a market day and when we talk of how good Doncaster’s markets are and improving the Borough, it’s no good if people can’t get out and use the markets or go anywhere.

 

We asked the question what happens if pensioners need to visit the Doctor and we were told that they can use ‘Dial-a-Ride’, which is all very well and good, but this is costing people £4.50 each way, and £9 for a round trip.  My concern is that there are many extra buses in lots of areas, but really, why is it that in the places that need them, they aren’t getting them and the rural villages are being cut off?”

 

A.  The Deputy Mayor gave the following response:-

 

“I absolutely agree with you Councillor Ransome and I sympathise with you regarding the bus services.  Many people are facing the same situation all across Doncaster and it goes back to 1986 when the bus service was deregulated, and it decimated services.  It is now being run as a private business and has been brought about by cuts from Central Government. I will see if there is anything I can do, but the blame is laid at this Government.”

 

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

 

Q.  “There is a lot of blame being laid at the Government! I also remember the mess the Labour Party left the country in.  This is Doncaster’s problem and the South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive have been naughty and cooked the figures; they have said the bus service was not used when in fact there were 10-15 people using this service twice a week.  They laid on a minibus for this service which was perfectly adequate whereas now, there is a huge bus, just once a week, which is not value for money?”

 

A.  The Deputy Mayor gave the following response:-

 

“I find it interesting how the Conservative Group have decided not to put anyone on the Transport Committee in South Yorkshire where they could raise this issue personally, but I will indeed take this issue back for you.”

 

Q.  Councillor Nigel Ball asked the Deputy Mayor, Councillor Glyn Jones:-

 

“Thank you Deputy Mayor for triggering my memory; it was actually the Tory Party back in the 1980s that basically deregulated the bus services and transport services which has led to the services being run for profit, not as a public service, which has ostracised and made all these people quite vulnerable in rural villages.  On top of that as well, the £170 million cuts that’s being aimed at pharmacies will further compound that vulnerability and that issue is again coming from a Tory Government and these outlying rural villages and communities are basically being left as ghost Towns; I can’t really see where Labour has got the blame for that as it lies squarely with the Tory Party.”

 

A.  The Deputy Mayor gave the following response:-

 

“Thank you Councillor Ball for that succinct question and I totally agree with the sentiments you have raised.”

 

C    Questions to Councillor Joe Blackham, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Transport

 

Q.  Councillor Steve Cox asked Councillor Joe Blackham:-

 

“I would just like to ask Councillor Blackham of his thoughts about the Transport Executive Committee?”

 

A.     Councillor Blackham gave the following response:-

 

“There is no such group.  The Executive is actually  the Leaders of the Authorities.  The Transport Committee is not an Executive; it has no decision making capacity; it does not set the budget; it does not set the priorities and certainly, it does nothing in terms of being able to contribute. The reality is, it can only operate within a given budget and as the budgets to Local Authorities are cut, transport will also take its share of that reduced budget and the reality of that is that the consequence is a reduced transport provision, not only to our rural communities, but many of our urban centres as well.  We do not have the provision we previously had.”

 

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

 

Q.  “Would you agree with me that there is really no purpose for that particular Committee?”

 

A.  Councillor Blackham gave the following response:-

 

“I have already advised you that there is no real function for that Committee; it is in the throws of a reorganisation that eventually will find a role for a Transport Committee even if it is only an Overview and Scrutiny function, but it is not a decision making body.”

 

Q.  Councillor Cynthia Ransome asked Councillor Joe Blackham:-

 

“Joe, I would like your help again.  This week it is with regard to Planning.  I’ve received a number of complaints from people stating that they can’t get through, the Planning Department don’t return their calls, they don’t return emails and when they do get through to them, it’s like they can’t get rid of them quickly enough.  They feel like a hot potato being passed from Department to Department.  I would very much appreciate your intervention or your feelings on this.  One of the other things that is happening is that when applications are passed and conditions are applied, these are not being adhered to, and when residents contact Planning Enforcement to complain again, there is no response or it takes several weeks or months before it is being looked at.  The general feeling is that if you submit a planning application, you can do what you want after it’s approved?”

 

A.     Councillor Joe Blackham gave the following response:-

 

“I find it intriguing actually, as latterly we’ve moved from a more reticent Planning regime to a very proactive Planning regime.  We are working within Nationally agreed timeframes for dealing with planning applications where we have seen performance rise from around 67% to 96% which is a phenomenal change.  There should be no difficulty in terms of connectivity, especially considering we now have a single enforcement entity and as a result, it is not just Officers within the Planning Department who can enforce planning issues.  In fact, we reacted very quickly to one case a week ago in Hatfield, which was actually dealt with overnight. If you provide me with details, I will investigate these cases and make sure I provide the feedback you require.”

 

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

 

Q.  “Thank you and I will.  I appreciate planning applications are being dealt with quicker and that they are going through the process, but my big complaint is when the conditions that have been applied are not being met and when people ring up, they can’t get through, and then when they do it is not followed up, so I will indeed give you the details of three cases I am aware of?”

 

A.  Councillor Blackham gave the following response:-

 

“As I suggested, if you let me have those details, I will look into this and I will ensure I provide you with that information.”

 

Q.  Councillor Nick Allen asked Councillor Joe Blackham:-

 

“Do you think the Asset Management Board should become more open and transparent, and perhaps be reconstituted as a sort of Overview and Scrutiny Panel where Councillors from across the political spectrum can sit on the Asset Management Board particularly valuable given the reasons relating to the Call-In where there was a dispute about the value of certain assets which we were disposing of.

 

Do you think it would allow us to avoid that situation in the future if Councillors were able to sit on the Asset Management Board similar to an Overview and Scrutiny Panel?”

 

A.     Councillor Blackham gave the following response:-

 

“As I have already corresponded to you in an email, the Assets Board is made up of Officers of the Authority.  There are no Elected Members because it is purely a ‘mechanical’ thing.  There is no need for Elected Members to be present.  The only Elected Member is myself; I sit on the Asset Decision Making Board along with Dave Wilkinson and Steve Mawson, and they make recommendations, not decisions.  None of this is decision making.  The ultimate decision rests with the Mayor of Doncaster who is the Executive of this Authority.  So, there is no involvement currently, nor is it anticipated there will be any involvement in future of Elected Members.”

 

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 15.7, Councillor Allen stated the following:-

 

Q. “Thank you for the clarification.

 

D.   Questions to Councillor Tony Corden, Cabinet Member for Customer, Corporate and Trading Services

 

In the absence of Councillor Tony Corden, Cabinet Member for Customer, Corporate and Trading Services, the Chair of Council informed Members that any questions for Councillor Corden should be submitted in writing to the Executive Office after the meeting and a response would be provided accordingly.

 

E.   Questions to Councillor Nuala Fennelly, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Schools

 

Q.  Councillor James Hart asked Councillor Nuala Fennelly:-

 

“I had my finger hovering over the download button as the Education and Skills Commission Report came out on 21st October.

 

I was a little disappointed that it’s not on today’s agenda for Members to discuss the recommendations of the Commission’s findings.  The 30 recommendations that are included in it are very interesting recommendations that we can grab as an Authority and take forward.

 

I am a little disappointed by the lack of inclusion of apprenticeships; it mentions the word apprenticeships just 3 times.  In fact, recommendation 19 is to have another review into the Post 16 skills provision available, so it would have been better to have more clarity on that in the report in order that we could have a more joined up approach.

 

My question is, have we got a long term plan of how we see this being put into action, reviewed and then acted upon; what are we going to do with it?”

 

A.   Councillor Nuala Fennelly gave the following response:-

 

“The Education Commission was initially set up for professionals to come in and look at what we do and the professional people that came in, had a view of the whole of Doncaster and how our Education fits together and yes, apprenticeships were included in that and we have different sections in the education department, and we will work with regeneration and education partners, that will also work with apprenticeships.

 

What we are doing at the moment is that we are working on the findings from the Commission and we are putting a plan together.  Technically, we do not have to take any notice of what’s in that; we can take out bits that we do not want.  We are looking at what pieces we know will work and we obviously need to do this as quickly as possible.

 

I cannot give you an end date for our plan to come out at moment, but I will do in the future.  We are waiting for our GCSE results which will not come out until 19th January, 2017.  They should have been out in October, then December, but now we will not get them until 19th January.

 

So, we can build on what we have already got and we can look to the future and decide where we are going to go and how we are going to do that.  This will be decided through myself, the DCS, Assistant Directors and Managers of each Department, and how we will use that plan to move forward and I think this is one of the key things we have to do. What they said to us is, ‘this is what is wrong’, it’s what they see is wrong not what we see is wrong; an outside perspective is good, but sometimes you have other information inside that works a little bit better.

 

So, what we need to do is look at the whole plan of what the Education Commission has said, but there are other things coming in the background.   We have got Sixth Form Colleges to look at.  We have got a new Principal at the College and we do not know what she will change at the College.  We do not know what’s going to happen with lots of different things.

 

As you all know, all our Secondary Schools are Academies and we don’t have as much information on them as we should have, but I have to say, all the Head Teachers have been very good about what the Education Commission has said.  They agree with most of it and we agree with most of it, so we are looking at doing that, but we will not be doing that in isolation just with the Council.  We will be doing this as a partnership with the Schools and partners like the NHS.  This all works together for the whole of Doncaster; it comes under Team Doncaster.

 

It will work in the way that if we need children to be assessed in School for their health, then that needs to be done.  If we need children to be assessed for their academic prowess, then we need to look at that as well.  So, it is about the whole picture.  It’s also about children in care who will come through us, in our Schools, it’s a massive picture that we are trying to put together.  So we will put it together and we will come up with a plan that hopefully will work.  We will bring information to Council and what I can do, every month, is feedback to all Ward Members about where we are with different things, and we intend to feed back in the same way as we move forward with the Education Commission Plan for the whole of Doncaster.  All the Schools are up for it; nobody has refused to come in on the plan.”

 

Q.  Councillor Cynthia Ransome asked Councillor Nuala Fennelly:-

 

“I am a great believer in education.  What irritates me intensely and maybe I am being slow on this, but why do Senior School Children come out of School at 2.30 pm?  I have heard that they start earlier, but surely, the answer would be to have them in School longer.”

 

A.     Councillor Nuala Fennelly gave the following response:-

 

“I totally agree with you actually because one thing I say is that they should be in School.  What I do know is they go in 30 minutes earlier and they have less of a lunch break, but that is entirely up to the Schools to choose if they want to do this.  If I think about it, students used to have ‘Sports Afternoons’ on a Wednesday, but they don’t have ‘Sports Afternoons’ anymore.”

 

Q.  Councillor Neil Gethin asked Councillor Nuala Fennelly:-

 

“Do you agree with me that a good place for Council Members to come in to discuss the Education and Skills Commission is the Children and Young People’s Overview and Scrutiny Panel Meeting which is on Tuesday, 6th December, which Councillor Hart will be welcome to attend, at 10.00 am.  We have allowed an hour on the agenda to discuss the issues and for any Members who wish to put forward anything towards the Commission  Plan. This is possibly a much  longer time than we may have had at Full Council.  Everyone is welcome to attend and if anyone wishes to put an item into that, I am more than happy to accept it, and discuss it as Chair of the Children and Young Peoples Overview and Scrutiny Panel.  Therefore, do you agree that it is a good idea?”

 

A.     Councillor Nuala Fennelly gave the following response:-

 

“I do agree.  You can go to the Overview and Scrutiny Meeting and ask questions.  However, you will be limited on the answers you will get; you will be able to put your opinions forward, but you still will not be able to get the answers to your questions because until the plan is put together, nothing will be decided.  You can attend, ask your questions and if you want to input into the process, I would suggest you do so, but we will only introduce the plan to everyone when it is ready.”

 

F.    Questions to Councillor Pat Knight, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing

 

In the absence of Councillor Pat Knight, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, the Chair of Council informed Members that any questions for Councillor Knight should be submitted in writing to the Executive Office after the meeting and that the Cabinet Member would respond accordingly.

 

G.   Questions to Councillor Chris McGuinness, Cabinet Member for Communities, the Voluntary Sector and Environment

 

Q.  Councillor Cynthia Ransome asked Councillor Chris McGuinness:-

 

“Fly tipping; what I find is a declaration of how many reports we have about fly tipping.  My Ward, Sprotbrough, is next to the highest.  The villagers I would say are in despair.  They telephone, email, arrange litter picks; people are ready to talk to them, but they never see any action.  One of the comments that came up, which is a good idea, is to keep the tips open, considering that they have been closed.  Apparently, as I have been informed, all the tips, I mean Recycling Centres (household waste), close on the same day; they do in the areas these people are talking about?”

 

A.     Councillor Chris McGuinness gave the following response:-

 

“What I can tell you is there is a review ongoing into Household Waste Recycling Centres.  Their opening hours at Christmas will not be changing; there will not be the closures over the Christmas period that there were before. That’s where we are at the moment so I can’t give you a definitive answer.”

 

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

 

Q.  “What are you going to do about fly tipping?”

 

A.  Councillor McGuinness gave the following response:-

 

“We are doing a lot about fly tipping, but I can get a report back to you if you require.”

 

Q.  Councillor Craig Sahman asked Councillor Chris McGuinness:-

 

“Every time I see a problem regarding fly tipping in my Ward of Sprotbrough, I am happy to say it is cleared up within 24 hours so I don’t see this as a big problem.  However, if there is a problem I think this may be caused due to issues with neighbouring rubbish sites.  For example, if you live at Hickleton and Barnburgh, you can’t drop your rubbish at Thurnscoe Waste and Recycling Site which is only 1 mile away and instead, you have to go to the site at Conisbrough which is 3 miles away. They will not allow you to put your waste in this site. This causes people to fly tip and you can see this happening at Barnburgh and Hickleton.  It does need something doing about it so we can work more closely with neighbouring authorities and have this conversation?”

 

A.   Councillor Chris McGuinness gave the following response:-

 

“We have been trying to work closely with the BDR partnership and this is something I will bring up as I don’t think this been raised before.  I don’t think there is any mechanism for dealing with this at the present time and what happened outside of the boundary, so I will raise this as part of the review of the South Yorkshire Waste Strategy.”

 

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 15.7, Councillor Sahman stated the following:-

 

Q.  “In Thurnscoe, they do ask you for your post code and if you do have a Doncaster postcode, they do turn you away; I know as I have had it done to me.”

 

Q.  Councillor Andy Pickering asked Councillor Chris McGuinness:-

 

“Just to echo what Councillor Sahman has just said; we find a similar situation.  The closest tip is in the Rotherham Borough and bearing in mind most of the waste comes back into the BDR Waste Partnership, it seems ridiculous that we cannot use Rotherham and vice versa if it is in fact more suitable for people?”

 

A.   Councillor Chris McGuinness gave the following response:-

 

“As I said, I will take it back.  I am fascinated; we have just had a really long consultation on the waste contract and waste collection and management strategy, and I don’t recall seeing any of this.  No one has brought this up before; it’s the first time I have heard of it, but I will come back on it.”

 

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 15.7, Councillor Pickering stated the following:-

 

Q.  “It is not a question exactly, but as Councillor Sahman has said, if you do visit the site at Thurnscoe, they do ask you for your post code as they do in Swinton now.”

 

Q.  Councillor Clive Stone asked Councillor Chris McGuinness the following question:-

 

       “Just a quick question, in light of the advent of applications in Nottinghamshire and Misson in terms of fracking, I wonder if you can clarify if we have had any applications or if there is anything pending on the fracking front, one way or another, in Doncaster?”

 

A.     As the question fell within the remit of the Portfolio of Councillor Joe Blackham, Councillor Blackham gave the following response:-

 

“There are none that I am aware of.”

 

H.   Questions to Councillor Bill Mordue, Cabinet Member for Business, Skills, Tourism and Culture

 

There were no questions put to Councillor Bill Mordue, Cabinet Member for Business, Skills, Tourism and Culture.

 

I.      Questions to Councillor Jane Nightingale, Cabinet Member for Housing

 

There were no questions put to Councillor Jane Nightingale, Cabinet Member for Housing.

 

J.    Questions to Councillor John Mounsey, Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee

 

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