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 the Audit Committee, Elections and Democratic Structures Committee, Health and Wellbeing Board and Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee.

 

 

A.     Questions on Notice

 

No questions on notice 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 Ros Jones, Mayor of Doncaster

 

Q. Councillor Andy Pickering asked the following question:-

 

       “I have just read the news that Barnsley has also voted a similar way to Doncaster over the Devolution issue.  I have just had it pointed out to me that the Secretary of State has apparently offered a deal, which has been reported in the Sheffield Star.  It said that for this deal to proceed, the way forward is for us to join the Sheffield City Region and then the way out of it would be to have the Elected Mayor give their permission. Can I ask Mayor Jones to look into this because that seems to be a very worrying aspect that the democracy that we have just seen in action, could be totally undermined by one person?”

 

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

 

       “I welcome that the Secretary of State is looking to come forward with some form of compromise, but let us be clear, we have got our true mandate from our residents and that is the position that we will be ultimately pursuing.”

 

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

 

Q.   Councillor Cynthia Ransome asked the following question:-

 

“My question relates to Equalities.  Eighteen months ago, yourself and another Cabinet Member were approached regarding a level crossing at Melton Road, Sprotbrough.  It was for the elderly and also for people that have got impaired sight. Eighteen months ago, the problem was money as you well know.  The money was raised by 106 money and the Parish Council.  Eighteen months later, we are still waiting for this crossing.  The goal posts keep moving.  We keep getting various excuses for various things.  This is in sharp contrast to a fast food outlet that was granted planning permission in November and which is up and running, a car park, a drive through and they are trading.  So I see a certain amount of slowness that has been happening with this?”

 

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

 

“Thank you for your question Councillor Ransome.  I presume you are talking about a pedestrian crossing, not a level crossing, as there are some significant differences between the two.  I have just consulted my colleague and he has said that it is going to happen.  I don’t know when, but it is going to happen.”

 

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

 

Q. “The goalposts keep moving.  They tell me one month, then they tell me another month, then they tell me another month.  I need to know when?”

 

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

 

“Yes, we will get the Officer to give you a date. I don’t know that date off the top of my head, because it is not specifically in my Portfolio, but I do appreciate where you are coming from.”

 

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

 

Q. Councillor Pat Haith asked the following question:-

 

“Homelessness is clearly an issue nationally that the Tory Government is doing nothing to tackle.  Would you please tell us what Doncaster Council is doing to provide a solution to what is often a complex issue?”

 

A. Councillor Nigel Ball, gave the following response:-

 

“Thank you Councillor Haith.  I think you are right, we have noted at this time that effectively, the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee has recently stated that Homelessness within this country is a national crisis.  The Department of Communities and Local Government has addressed this by saying that the Government’s agenda in terms of reducing homelessness, has been unacceptably complacent.  The report goes on to say that the number of people sleeping rough in Britain has increased by 134% by 2010 and that there has been a 60% rise in the number of households in temporary accommodation since, 2010, as well.  The list of data and statistics goes on.

 

But it’s fair to say that at any one time, there is more than 9,000 sleeping rough on the streets of this country; 78 households, including 120,000 children, are homeless or living in temporary accommodation.  More than 300,000 people in Britain, equivalent to one in every 200, are officially recorded as homeless or living in inadequate homes, according to figures released by the charity Shelter.  We are in a position at the moment where we have got effectively, a million people using foodbanks, compared to 40,000 in 2010.  And 30% of Britain’s children are now classed as poor, of whom two-thirds are from working families.

 

So the national backdrop of austerity for 7 years has caused this disaster, this atmosphere of despair in all of our towns, cities and villages.  And let’s be clear about it, it’s been mentioned earlier on in terms of the Council cuts, that these Local Authorities, much similar to what Doncaster has faced.  We are in a position now where we are cutting deeper and deeper and working people and non-working people are having to pay the brunt of austerity.  And it’s about tax cuts for the rich.  It’s about obviously dealing with the systems that are in place; they are foisted down on us by Central Government, that we are having to manage locally. 

 

So, in terms of Doncaster, what is it doing?  Well, earlier this year, we launched the Complex Lives Team, who is working with a number of individuals around the Borough, but also predominantly within the Town Centre.  At the moment, they are working with 114 individuals.  Out of those 114 people, effectively 27 are classed as homeless and 15 are rough sleeping.  These people, who have got complex lives, have got certain barriers that do not allow them to move on either into tenancies, into work and training and lead what we would class as a normal life and that’s why they need that specialist support.  Far from being punitive, it’s about giving these people support, giving them a chance in life and actually moving on. 

 

I commend the Council and the work that the Council’s teams have done to pull this forward.  Because in actual fact, this is a national disgrace.  It’s not just a scandal, it’s a national crisis.  That’s what we have got.  So as we move towards Christmas, and obviously looking at 21st Century Britain, it appears to be a cold harsh place, where certain individuals and certain sections of society, have bailed out and doled out money, but other sections, ordinary working class people, are left basically to fester.  This is basically 7 years of austerity.  Where is that good society that we all strive for?  Where are we moving towards?  And if I have just got one Christmas wish, is that obviously Theresa May over the Christmas period, will offer some reflection and think about a strategy, in terms of tackling this in the New Year, but I am very doubtful.”

 

Q. Councillor Cynthia Ransome asked the following question:-

 

“Councillor Ball, I read with interest about the zero tolerance on litter and also the many letters, weekly in the Free Press.  3 questions.  You publicised huge increases on litter fines.  What have you compared your increases to; are these fines delivered by a private company; and what is the cost to the Council for this Service?”

 

A.  Councillor Nigel Ball, gave the following response:-

 

“It is not my Portfolio, so unfortunately, I can’t answer it.”

 

D.    Questions to Councillor Joe Blackham, Cabinet Member for Highways, Street Scene and Trading Services

 

There were no questions put to Councillor Joe Blackham, Cabinet Member for Highways, Street Scene and Trading Services.

 

E.     Questions to Councillor Rachael Blake, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care

 

Q. Councillor Derek Smith asked the following question:-

 

“My question relates to Social Care budgets.  My question is in two parts.  Can you tell me what measures are being taken to ensure that proposed cuts to the Adult Social Care budget do not transfer additional pressures on to our already overstretched local NHS services?  And the second part is, on the subject of residential care working age.  Can we be assured that alternative provision for more efficient personalised services, respects individual choice, relatives views and provides independent advocacy where it is needed?  Moving home away from longstanding carers and friendships is a life changing event, which necessitates the use of advocates.  My experience previously in this type of situation, and I worry that it may be repeated, is that financial pressures often trump individual needs.”

 

A.  Councillor Rachael Blake gave the following response:-

 

“Thank you for your question Councillor Smith.  I don’t think any of us can underestimate the scale of the cuts and the funding gap that both the NHS and Adults Services are facing, and I think that it would be a good opportunity to place on record our thanks to all our Adult Social Care staff for the fantastic job they do throughout the year, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.  And I extend that thanks to our NHS colleagues as well.  I think what we are doing in Doncaster, is that we recognise that to overcome that funding gap, we actually have to work together.

 

So in Doncaster, we have the two NHS Trusts; we have the Council and together we have put forward the ‘Place Plan’.  The ‘Place Plan’ has focussed areas, and one of those focussed areas is ensuring that we promote health and wellbeing more.  If we promote health and wellbeing more, which is one of the transformational aims of Adults Services, then people should use NHS Services much less than they do at the moment.  I am sure that many colleagues across the Chamber are involved in those health and wellbeing services and supporting them. I know that there are Members here that are actually providing those services.  We all have to do that in partnership to make sure that those health and wellbeing services are as robust as possible, so we can make sure that people aren’t having to use the NHS and that we do keep people as independent as possible, for as long as they want to and for as long as they want to stay in their own homes.

 

The second question is around moving home.  I believe moving home for any of us is incredibly stressful, but for people who have complex needs, it is even more so.  So I think it is important that we follow the guidance that’s there and I can provide that reassurance, having had these discussions on a weekly basis with staff that we are following things in the Care Act 2014.

 

We are using the Mental Capacity Act to ensure that people who have capacity are supported to make decisions.  Those people that don’t have capacity, have the opportunity to have that independent advocacy.  And in Doncaster, we do have ‘Voiceability’, which is an independent advocacy service, which is funded by the Council and is available for those people that don’t have capacity to make their own decisions.  I will be happy to, if it is a huge change that is being made to bring those changes and an update back to full Council, so that everyone is aware of what’s happening for those people with complex lives.”

 

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

 

Q. “Thank you for your response.  I fear we will see perhaps more people moving from good quality public sector provision to independent and private sector provision because it is cheaper.  And if this is the case, I fail to see how it’s in the best interests of an individual or in Doncaster’s best interests.  Would you say then my fear is justified?”

 

A.  Councillor Rachael Blake gave the following response:-

 

“How I would respond to that is by saying that those best interests assessments are about finding the best place for people who have lived in these situations; the best place to live.  When we talk about transformation and we talk about making sure that people are living as independently as possible, I don’t think any of us should underestimate that there is a cost to that.  It isn’t about the cheapest option.  This is about the best option for those people. 

 

We have within Doncaster Council’s Adults Services, an excellent commissioning service that works with people, whether they are in the private sector or whether they are in the public sector.  Obviously, these homes would have to comply with CCQ regulations and we have a robust Contract Monitoring Team who would monitor the situation to make sure that services that are provided, are the ones that actually meet people’s needs.  We have some excellent examples of where people have moved in to more supported living that has been transformational for them.  That is not going to be available for everybody because it is not in their best interests to do that and what we have to offer as Adult Social Care, whether providing or actually commissioning those services, is that we offer that continuum of services so that everybody whether they have mild needs or extremely complex needs, does actually get services that they need so that they achieve their aspirations.”

 

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

 

Q. Councillor Cynthia Ransome asked the following question:-

 

“Councillor Fennelly, this is an update on one of my pet subjects, ‘Education’.  I have done a lot of research around this and what really makes me wonder is that you are writing to the Academies, the Regional Schools Director.  Exactly how much power do we have with this as far as schools finishing at 2.30pm?”

 

A.  Councillor Nuala Fennelly gave the following response:-

 

“Thank you Councillor Ransome.  To be fair we don’t have very much.  We have a mechanism where we speak with the Regional Director.  Damian Allen does have meetings with him. What we have to do is to work together opposed to the Academies working how they work and how we work as a Local Authority. But the issue is that technically as an Academy, we don’t have any influence, but the enrichment that they have in the afternoons that they don’t attend school, is what they’re supposed to do.

 

I assume that the Regional Schools Director has to check or one of his staff has to check that the work that they are doing is the enrichment work, or whether they are getting half a day off school.  So I am like you, I don’t think they should get half a day off school and I said that at a previous Council meeting as well.  But, they are allowed to do it as long as they attend school for the amount of hours per year that they have to attend.  Some schools I have found since you asked the last question start at 8.30 am instead of 8:50 am.  So they are making their hours for when they have their enrichment, even though technically they don’t have to.  But, they are spending enough time in school, but like you, I think that these things that they are doing on an afternoon when they are not in school, should be coordinated by the schools, instead of the students leaving school.

 

I will speak to the Regional Director through Damian and we will ask that question; are they checking why they haven’t had their enrichment.  It could be that they are having music classes or it could be that they are doing sport.  As a lot of you in here do know, the older ones of us, Wednesday afternoon used to be PE afternoon.  So, I think that the point of it all is, does the Regional Directors Team know why they are having the afternoon off and what are they doing in that time.”

 

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

 

Q. “So, educationalists are paid large sums of money to educate our children.  Who exactly holds these to account because we seem to do great strides in education, as we want them to do, but they tell us that we are under performing; we have got lower performing schools in the country and all the rest of it.  Who is holding these people to account?”

 

A.  Councillor Nuala Fennelly gave the following response:-

 

“The Director for Education holds schools to account through the Regional Director and then we are held to account through the Directorate for Education in Doncaster for our local education schools.  The LA schools belong to us and the Academies; it’s the DfE that runs those schools.  They do it through the Secretary of State.  So when we write to the DfE, that would go to the Secretary of State, which was the way that the Trust was set up and that is the way it works.  So, we would write to the DfE if we don’t like the answer we get from Regional Academies.  That is the system.  It does go to the DfE, but they do make the decisions on what happens to education.

 

And, I agree with you that we do pay these people a lot of money, but we don’t seem to be getting anywhere with the hours or the terms, because the terms are getting shorter.  Academies can change the actual terms of the school year.  We are not going to get any further until we get in touch with the DfE and actually say that as a Council, if everyone would agree to that, we are not happy with it and that they are not being held to account for the days.  Ok, I will do that.”

 

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

 

Q. Councillor Ian Pearson asked the following question:-

 

“My question is that recently, Council agreed that people who had their wheelie bins stolen would have to pay £22 to have their wheelie bin replaced.  As it has just been mentioned, a lot of people who are moved in to new premises, arrived to find that none of their wheelie bins exist, because they have already been stolen before they have moved in; that can land them with a cost of £66 straight off, when they are in dire need and have no furniture.  Perhaps the policy of replacing stolen wheelie bins could be reviewed for people who have previously been homeless, are not faced with a bill for £66, when it was not their wheelie bin to look after previously. Thank you?”

 

A.  Councillor Chris McGuinness gave the following response:-

 

“It was made clear in the policy that where it was a new property, or it was a private landlord, then the landlord or the developer would pay for the bins. There are other cases and there is one at the moment that I am aware of that the Council is looking at.  The Council will in certain circumstances, look at each case on its own particular merit, but the general policy is, if you lose your bin, you pay for the replacement which is done elsewhere; it depends on the circumstances.”

 

Q. Councillor Jonathan Wood asked the following question:-

 

“Councillor McGuinness, you have just said circumstances. Can you just define some of those circumstances.  Does a wheelie bin being stolen count; does a wheelie bin being burnt out count; if a bin is damaged by one of the lorries or is damaged by a neighbour?  Could you be a bit more specific about when the Council will replace them or not?”

 

A.  Councillor McGuinness gave the following response:-

 

“I think what I clearly said there was that it depends on the circumstances.  We can invent circumstances all afternoon, can’t we.  But, if there is one incident where there is apparently a number of youths who have been collecting them and burning bins, that’s when we will look at it separately.  But, if someone puts the bin out and it goes missing, then generally speaking they will be expected to pay for a replacement.  If it becomes a persistent problem, then the Neighbourhood Teams will look at it.  But, the policy has only just come in so it is not likely to be reviewed straight away.”

 

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

 

Q. “I am just wondering in terms of Cllr McGuinness saying that we can ask questions all day.  Well of course we could.  But, the reality is, that the bin isn’t actually owned by the householder.  My understanding is that the bin is owned by the Local Authority.  Therefore, the questions you talk about, we could talk about all day. You know that the direct question here is that if the Council has had a piece of property stolen, why are we charging individuals for them.  In the case where you made a statement where we have got a group of youths stealing them and burning them; whether it’s been stolen and burnt, or whether it has been stolen, actually makes no difference to the householder. The point is, in some of our most challenged neighbourhoods, if we are going to do it by income deprivation or by other; let’s just see a set of rules, because it is not good enough to say that the Council will look at individual circumstances.  The Council will always look at individual circumstances because we know that. 

 

The question is, what do the vast majority of people that pay their taxes and contribute to this Authority deserve; they would like to know what the rules are.  So, it’s very easy for you to wash it away and say that we can ask questions all day, but it’s not about a single question; it’s about the fact that at the end of the day, they don’t own the bin.  They are not buying it, so can you be a little bit more specific please?”

 

A.  Councillor McGuinness gave the following response:-

 

“I will tell you what, we will set up a meeting with the Officers and we will spend some time going through the policy, which you could have done at any point during the last 18 months.”

 

Q. Councillor Cynthia Ransome asked the following question:-

 

“Councillor McGuinness, I understand that you are the ‘litter man’.  I have to say this because this Portfolio has had so many owners; it’s just incredible.  So, is it your Portfolio before I start again?  I read with interest about your zero tolerance on litter and also how many fines you are issuing.  I also watch in the Free Press, the many letters complaining about litter and the complaints that I get in my Ward about litter.  I have 3 questions.  You publicised huge increases on litter fines.  What are you comparing these figures to; are these fines delivered by a private company; and what is the cost to the Council for this private company’s service?”

 

A.  Councillor Chris McGuinness gave the following response:-

 

“It’s compared to previous fines in previous years.  The answer to question two is that some of them; because the Council still has its own function, but there is an external contractor.  And the details and the breakdown of items; I can forward to you in due course.  Those are the ones that I haven’t got with me.”

 

Q. Councillor Kevin Rodgers asked the following question:-

 

“Councillor McGuinness, are you pleased that in the New Year, they will be continuing, ‘This is My Doncaster’ and doing local litter picks to help people and communities to clear up their environments and live in a more pleasant area?”

 

A.  Councillor McGuinness gave the following response:-

 

“I certainly am and they will continue in the New Year, and when they are in your Ward, you should get prior notice from your Neighbourhood Team.”

 

H.    Questions to Councillor Bill Mordue, Cabinet Member for Business, Skills and Economic Development

 

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

 

I.       Questions to Councillor Jane Nightingale, Cabinet Member for Customer and Corporate Services

 

There were no questions put to Councillor Jane Nightingale, Cabinet Member for Customer and Corporate Services.

 

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

 

In the absence of Councillor Austen White, Chair of the Audit Committee, the Chair of Council informed Members that any questions for Councillor White should be submitted to the Chair, in writing, after the meeting and a response would be provided.

 

K.     Questions to Councillor Phil Cole, Chair of the Elections and Democratic Structures Committee

 

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

 

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

 

There were no questions put to Councillor Rachael Blake, Chair of the Health and Wellbeing Board.

 

M.    Questions to Councillor Kevin Rodgers, Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee

 

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