Agenda item

The Chair of Council, Councillor Linda Curran, made the following announcement:-

 

“I would like to ask Council to note and recognise the dedicated service of an Officer who will be retiring shortly.

 

Paul Lawson, the Civic Mayor’s Chauffeur, who has worked for the Local Authority for over 25 years, is due to retire at the end of this month. On behalf of the Council, I would like to thank him for his valued service and wish him well for the future.

 

To mark the occasion, there will be a reception immediately after this Council meeting in the Atrium on the ground floor of the Civic Office, which Elected Members and Officers are invited to attend.”

 

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

 

“I would like to make a statement about the devastating floods, which have had such a huge impact on residents and businesses throughout our Borough. As Members will know, the flooding was complex, extensive and inflicted widespread destruction in our communities. The nature of the incident and the speed at which it occurred, was unprecedented.

 

More than a month’s worth of rain fell in 24 hours. Seven severe flood warnings were issued across Doncaster, meaning there was significant danger to life with immediate action required. Homes and premises were flooded from Mexborough in the west of the Borough, to Fishlake in the East, with many areas impacted ranging from a whole village, to streets and individual properties.

 

Firstly, I want to pay tribute to our amazing local communities, particularly:-

 

·         The resilience and fortitude of people whose homes have been flooded;

·         The help provided by neighbours and neighbouring communities;

·         All of those who have donated money, food, clothes and goods to support people in need; and

·         The offer of trades and services from local companies and those further afield.

 

I have seen at first hand the community spirit and endeavour of residents who set up community led Support Centres, receiving and distributing donations. The way our people have pulled together was truly inspiring, but the reason it was required was devastating.

 

I also want to recognise our superb public services and our military.  The emergency response was immense, and continues 24 hours a day until the immediate threat has passed and recovery takes place.

 

Our emergency centre, based here in the Civic Building, co-ordinated a 24/7 multi-agency partnership response for 10 days.  It was the longest emergency response in recent times and included:-

 

·         Advising 1900 residents to evacuate from a total of 1200 properties;

·         Pumping away millions of litres of water to protect communities from further damage, with some pumps still in action;

·         Securing vital infrastructure, including pumping stations and electricity sub-stations;

·         Filling and issuing 50,000 sandbags;

·         Establishing two rest centres and supporting 113 people with somewhere to stay, food and drink, and advice and support;

·         Dealing with nearly 2000 calls to our emergency helpline; and

·         Managing 42 separate road closures to keep our residents safe.

 

Working alongside the emergency services, Council staff knocked on the doors of thousands of residents to offer advice and support.  Our partners in the Environment Agency and Fire Service, brought resources to Doncaster from across the Country.  We received Mutual Aid from many other Authorities.

 

285 soldiers were deployed from the Light Dragoons and the Royal Anglian Regiment, along with a Chinook helicopter from the RAF, to protect residential areas and critical infrastructure from the risk of further bad weather.

 

I would also like to acknowledge the work of so many people in the Chamber today.  Elected Members are not always given the credit that they deserve, but I saw many of you leading from the front, providing real leadership, commitment and support for your residents, and the communities that you care so much about.

 

We are now in the recovery period and much work is taking place:-

 

·         Eight recovery hubs have been set up in our communities to provide advice and connect people to the services they need;

·         Our staff are on the ground providing practical assistance;

·         We are distributing emergency funds to residents and businesses;

·         We are supporting the co-ordination and distribution of donated goods and trades, which is being led by the community; and

·         Our services are cleaning up the debris left behind, organising skips, waste collection and dehumidifiers.

 

Yesterday, I approved 100% Council Tax and Business Rates Relief for flooded properties.  This will be for a minimum of three months and I have already asked the Government to ensure this lasts for as long as people remain out of their properties, due to flood damage.

 

I am particularly concerned about those people who:-

 

·         Have no insurance;

·         Have discovered they have inadequate insurance; and

·         Face very large excess payments.

 

We must also do everything possible to ensure this does not happen again. On Saturday, along with Mayor Dan Jarvis, I met the Secretary of State for Housing Communities and Local Government. We stressed the need for further assistance and have requested that the Government:-

 

·         Provides additional financial support for those affected, to ensure all of their basic needs were met;

·         Provides funding to repair roads and infrastructure, and reimburse the Council for essential costs incurred; and

·         Undertakes a review of what happened and commits to fund the necessary flood prevention and protection measures, to ensure our communities are kept safe in the future.

 

Finally, we must not forget the personal stories behind the pictures we have all seen.  One resident in the West of the Borough, recounted their experience this week, going back to the day the rain came when they were first struck by how rapidly the downpours were taking hold.  Water was flowing from the fields and into their streets at an alarming pace, in what they likened to a Tsunami.  The force of the water was so strong that a wall in the village collapsed under the pressure, blocking a family attempting to drive to safety.  Neighbours came to their aid, helping the passengers get from the vehicle to dry land.  The family is safe, but their home has been devastated.  The flood water had risen to the eaves of the house and poured through the ceiling. Their furniture and belongings are completely ruined.

 

My heart goes out to them and everyone else affected.  I am humbled by the resolve of local people to overcome the challenges that lie ahead.  They will not be facing this on their own.  As in 2007, the floods have brought national attention to our communities.  However, as the cameras disappear, the Council and community will remain and support those affected for as long as it takes to recover.”

 

The Chief Executive, Damian Allen, made the following announcement:-

 

“I would like to endorse what the Mayor has said and place on record my thanks to all those who have contributed, and I would like to thank and recognise those residents, who as staff of Doncaster Council, still came into work as part of the efforts in the local communities.  I would like to acknowledge them and thank them.”

 

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

 

“Amersall Court, a Care Home based in Scawthorpe which supports people with physical and learning disabilities, has been rated ‘Outstanding’ by Inspectors, following an unannounced visit from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in October.

 

Out of 118 health and social care services across Doncaster, only one has previously been rated as ‘outstanding’.  With Amersall Court having been rated outstanding in four areas, it is officially now recognised by the CQC as the best registered service in Doncaster.

 

Inspectors commended the Care Home for developing and designing their service to enable its residents to live ‘as full a life as possible’, by promoting choice, control, independence and inclusion.  The report also praised the staff’s approach in offering ‘exceptionally personalised care’ and residents’ feedback of the service was acknowledged as being ‘overwhelmingly positive’.

 

The Inspectors also praised Amersall Court’s approach to partnership working and community involvement, for example their partnership with Doncaster College in offering work placements for students training within Health and Social Care, leading to more activities and opportunities for residents.

 

What is particularly impressive is that since the last inspection, Amersall Court has also reduced its staffing costs saving over £200k; congratulations to all staff, people and families of Amersall Court, who have together worked so hard to achieve this.

 

The CQC inspection outcome is testament to the dedication of everyone involved.  The Council and partners, will look at how these positive practices demonstrated by Amersall Court, can be replicated in other services across Doncaster.”

 

The Cabinet Member for Highways, Street Scene and Trading Services, Councillor Joe Blackham, made the following announcement:-

 

“This Festive Season, Doncaster Council will again be supporting Town Centre Businesses by offering free Town Centre parking from Monday 2nd December to Friday 3rd January, 2020 from 2.00 pm and for the rest of the day at the popular Markets Car Park, St Georges Car Park and Colonnades Car Park.

 

We are also offering every Saturday in December, free all day parking at Chappell Drive Car Park.

 

Additionally, a reminder that Council run car parks and on street pay and display areas continue to be free on Sundays.”

 

The Cabinet Member for Customer and Corporate Services, Councillor Jane Nightingale, made the following announcement:-

 

“On behalf of the Bentley Ward Members and the Community of Bentley, we would like to offer our sincere thanks to the Chief Executive and all DMBC and St Leger Homes staff, involved in supporting our community in such dire circumstances which unfolded around the 7th and 8th of November, 2019.  We would also like to place on record, our sincere and huge thanks to the Fire Service from many Counties, South Yorkshire Police, but also not forgetting our amazing community volunteers who have come together through their own personal circumstances.  A huge thanks to members of the public and businesses, who have donated overwhelming amounts, the Local Churches and Khalsa Aid, along with many others who have supported our residents through such a difficult period.

 

We would also like to thank Members in this Chamber who have supported Bentley Ward Members in carrying out their positions.  The work still carries on. Some residents displaced to other homes, some still struggling to come to terms with what has happened yet again.  This is now the second time they have endured this situation.

 

We have every confidence that the Chief Executive along with the Mayor, will carry out a full and timely review of unanswered questions for our community so greatly needed, and work with Government for the funding.”

 

The Cabinet Member for Communities, Voluntary Sector and the Environment, Councillor Chris McGuinness, made the following announcement:-

 

“I have received a note on the way into the Council Chamber from the Environment Agency.  It gives lots of facts and figures, but the key part for Members is both myself and the Portfolio Holders across South Yorkshire, will be meeting with the Environment Agency on Wednesday for an initial feedback on where they are.  They have now assured me that they will work with any Local Authority who wishes to examine and enquire into the flooding.  After every flooding incident, they carry out a review as to what has happened and how they can respond, and how they can respond better. 

 

I have also suggested that Overview and Scrutiny early in the New Year, look at the flood in some detail and of course, they have the right to call in any of our partners or partner agencies.  So, I assumed Members would have asked what happens next so that is some indication of what will happen next.”