Agenda item

The Chair of Council, Councillor George Derx, made the following announcement:-

“The Council is unable to bring its financial plan for the period 2017 to 2021, the current Mayoral term, to this Council meeting this evening as initially intended, due to uncertainties in the budgets and financial forecasts, in particular those related to the Pension Fund.

It is unlikely that greater clarity can be gained on these matters until the middle of November.  The Council’s budget also needs to take account of any changes in the Government’s Budget, which will be announced on 22nd November.

A financial plan cannot therefore be finalised and proposed by the Mayor until the middle of December and thus, a late December meeting is needed allowing time for the proper circulation of papers etc.

Therefore, can Members please note that the Full Council meeting scheduled on 23rd November, 2017, will now be held on Thursday, 21st December, 2017 at 2.00 pm.”

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

“On Monday, the Sheffield City Region Combined Authority met to consider proposals to proceed with new consultation to progress Devolution in the region. It followed the Judicial Review brought by Derbyshire County Council against the Sheffield City Region in respect of the previous consultation exercise.

At the meeting, both Doncaster and Barnsley indicated that we did not wish to proceed with that new consultation.

In the last few days, I’ve been asked why Doncaster does not want to be part of Sheffield City Region.  It is a fair question, but it is not a case of Doncaster not wanting to be part of the Sheffield City Region. We’ve always played a full and supportive role in the region.  It is a question of what is the right form of Devolution for people and businesses in Doncaster over the next 30, 40 or 50 years.

What will deliver the most economic benefits, particularly once we have left the EU?  How do we make sure our region is represented at the top level along with London, Greater Manchester and the West Midlands, so that Yorkshire receives the investment it deserves and requires?

We all know how dramatically things have changed since 2015.  In addition to Brexit, Bassetlaw and Chesterfield have now pulled out of their plans to join the Sheffield City Region as full members, leaving just the four South Yorkshire Authorities.

We believe that Sheffield City Region’s deal is too small in this new landscape.  In contrast, wider Yorkshire Devolution represents a bigger, stronger, more powerful option, and a world famous brand that we can capitalise on.  That approach has a great deal of support both locally and regionally.  17 of the 20 Yorkshire Councils have said they want it to go forward.

Doncaster Chamber has already asked local businesses for their views and had a good response. Most supported a Yorkshire Devolution model.  Trade Unions, politicians from all Parties in this Council and our local MPs, have also indicated their support for a Yorkshire deal.  We will also be talking to local residents, to hear their views.

My view is that a wider Yorkshire Devolution deal can deliver transformational economic change in our region, tackle major transport issues and provide a better footprint for public sector reform.  I believe that would be good for Doncaster and everyone in Yorkshire.

We will therefore work hard to convince Government of the benefits of developing a wider Yorkshire Devolution deal and make the case for Doncaster to be part of it.”

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

“In the absence of Councillor Chris McGuinness who covers Community Safety, I’m sure colleagues would like to join me in sending the Council’s best wishes and unreserved support to the Police Officer who was seriously injured in the line of duty on Tuesday morning.

We need to state that we greatly value the contribution that the Police and other emergency services make to Doncaster, safeguarding our communities often in extremely difficult circumstances, and putting their personal safety at risk.”