Decisions

Doncaster Council want all children to have access to a meal. Under normal circumstances, children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 are entitled to a free school meal. During these exceptional times of closures due to Covid 19, children are not accessing this provision. Families accessing benefits are being accessed to check their eligibility for benefit related free school meals. However, many families affected by the
reduction of income related to Covid 19 are not entitled to benefits and the impact of additional food costs is significant. This impact remains during the school holiday period. The cost of providing a meal during the Easter holidays at 100% take up would be £161,423. An update on actual take up numbers will be known once details of the claims procedure is communicated to schools. Doncaster Council is providing a school meal delivery hamper for children on roll at special schools where there family requests it. This is due to the number of families self isolating or shielding due to their children’s vulnerability. The maximum cost would be
£13,650. Doncaster Council will provide a FSM voucher to children meeting eligibility criteria who are not yet on a school roll. This will be a maximum cost of £5,460. This currently stands at 28 children.

a) To provide financial support to schools delivering free school meals for children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2, commonly known as a Universal Free School Meal.
This includes the offer of a meal or equivalent value food voucher during the period of 6th – 17th April, fully funded by Doncaster Council. Subsequent to this schools will continue to receive their Universal Free School Meal funding at £2.30 per meal. Schools are requested to provide a meal or voucher to the value of their normal per meal price in accordance with need.
b) To provide a food hamper delivery school meal delivery for those children in Special schools whose parents have requested it. This is 70 children at £15 per week until the end of the academic year or until schools re-open, whichever is the soonest
c) To provide a voucher for children not on a school roll who receive eligibility benefits £15 per week until the end of the academic year or until schools re-open, whichever is the soonest.

The need to retain quality teachers in Doncaster underpins the successful delivery of all four priorities in our Doncaster OA plan.
The aim of the project is to support the health and wellbeing of teachers in order to retain experienced teachers both in the profession and in Doncaster and to do so in in a way that integrates and compliments both our own broader OA delivery and the wider support that will be available across the Borough.

To provide funding (£95,000) to support a second round of the Teacher Health & Wellbeing Programme, which provides a bespoke package of Health & Wellbeing support developed in collaboration and to meet the specific needs of schools.
This project will support around 25 schools. It is anticipated that these will come from a combination of schools new to the programme and some continued support for schools from the initial round of the programme. As in the previous round all schools would be eligible to apply and invited to do so through and EOI process. Participants will then be selected based on demand and need.
Due to its success, the programme will follow the same methodology as previously as far as the contractor and head teacher will agree a bespoke programme of training targeted to meet the needs of the school.
As before to ensure a co-ordinated approach and to foster a spirit of unity and team building, it is envisaged that the majority of these training modules would be delivered within the school and arranged around the needs of school (either twilight, training days, morning staff meetings, etc.).

Initially the South Yorkshire Region partners worked together to secure an innovative funding offer to support Veterans and this was agreed in format and tendered out in 2020. There were no suitable applications for the total funding which was £65,000 to be rolled out across the region. The individual authorities’ members therefore discussed with the South Yorkshire funding, successfully granted through Dan Jarvis office and requested the opportunity to ensure we still used this money across the region for supporting veterans on a more localised basis.

This was agreed and each local authority had to complete a framework for how we would utilise our local share of this funding, for Doncaster this was £16,250 for them to agree an alternate allocation and use. This proposal was submitted, agreed and authorised by the South Yorkshire Region office as viable to draw down our initial allocation.

Consideration of utilising this money purely alongside the Housing provision with SLHD did not progress as it was felt that basing this money closer to the community / voluntary and wider partners in the steering group would make it more accessible and create more innovative applications for support elements that would contribute towards the more formal housing support offers in place for Doncaster but would not be limited by them.

For Doncaster Council to accept a funding contribution from the South Yorkshire Region of £16,250 to provide innovative support to help either sustain housing tenancy, prevent homelessness or to support a homeless veteran back into housing provision, specifically aimed at Veterans of our Armed Forces.

The purpose of this funding will be an innovative localised approach to fulfil support to veterans, not otherwise met in existing community / voluntary / charity or housing support aid and grant systems to be trialled and evaluated on behalf of The South Yorkshire Armed Forces Region Partnership. This arrangement will be replicated in each of the partner local authorities, including Doncaster, Barnsley, Rotherham and Sheffield.

The funding will be utilised in collaboration with the Doncaster Armed Forces Steering Group Partners, who have all committed to the delivery of the National Armed Forces Covenant and in conjunction with the Doncaster housing provider, St Leger Homes of Doncaster (SLHD).

Additional collaboration will be further developed with dedicated homelessness and housing support to improve reach, impact and accessibility of the funding, including: Complex Lives, private housing providers, housing support teams and the community / voluntary sector

The funding allocated to Doncaster, will be placed within the Stronger Communities Service, where the borough wide Veterans Lead Officer for the Doncaster wide partnership and the Veterans Support Officer sit.

The Veterans Innovation Fund, will be available through 2021 to facilitate the purchase of items to support sustainability in housing. It will be delivered by using a tested, audited and agreed financial method of distribution of monies for individuals through a simple application process with purchase made direct by the Council on behalf of the individual for successful applications. This process of application, funding and monitoring of spend an outcomes is already well established in the service for such as the Stronger Families and Wellbeing Innovation Funds.

The funding needs to be spent by March 22 and a Quarterly report is required on impact of funding. Any unspent money will be considered at March 2022 and may require the authority to return any element not spent – no risk for larger clawback of monies already spent in delivery throughout the year. We have made individual agreements so the successful or failure of any element of the funding within other South Yorkshire region Local Authorities has no financial impact on Doncaster’s
element. ( information attached in background papers).

The Council have received notification from the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner that the Safer Stronger Doncaster Partnership (SSDP) will receive a Community Safety Grant of £129,391, which is allocated every year to fund initiatives and projects agreed by the partnership and linked to Partnership and OPCC priorities.

The Safer Stronger Communities service within Doncaster Council administers the grant funding on behalf of the partnership, gaining approval from the OPCC for proposed activity; submitting bi-annual financial returns and monitoring underspends. The use of underspends from the grant requires approval from the OPCC and any unspent funds have to be returned in line with the terms of the grant from Central Government.

At this stage the SSDP have proposed the activity below for the 2021-22 funding allocation. This is a similar approach to last year, which worked well and has been discussed and agreed informally with the OPCC:
• The continuation of the Workforce Development Officer post - £36,507;
• The continuation of the OCG Co-ordinator post - £31,800
• Support to strategic theme groups within the SSDP structure - £50k (£10k per group to allow them to respond to emerging issues throughout the year);
• Retention of an initiatives pot to allow the wider partnership access to funding for any initiatives/activity that may be required throughout the year - £11,084

To approve the receipt of grant funding from the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC), which will enable the Safer Stronger Communities Service to administer this fund on behalf of the Safer Stronger Doncaster Partnership (SSDP).

On 25 February 2020 Cabinet approved changes to a range of fees and charges and charging practices in Adult Social Care.
In total 9 individual proposals were agreed with an implementation date of April 2020. The proposals related to the following areas:
1. Home alarm service
2. Care at home
3. Day opportunities provided by the Council’s SMILE service
4. Safeguarding personal assets
5. Arrangements for people who pay for their own care in full
6. Maximum weekly charge for non-residential services
7. Enhanced daily living component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
8. Financial Assessments for Residential Respite

The proposals are explained in detail in the Adult Social Care Charges - Cabinet report 2020 Final

Due to the Council’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic some of the implementation was suspended until October 2020.

It was recommended that the wording in the policy was reviewed, arising from the ASC charges Cabinet decision, and for the policy to fully document Doncaster Council’s agreed approach to charging and financial assessment for adult social care and support.

The policy details the principles and guidance for decision making around charging and financial assessments for adult social care and support, ensuring legal compliance with the Care Act 2014.

To approve changes to the Charging policy so that it aligns with the Cabinet decision taken on 25 February 2020 (Adult Social Care Charges - Cabinet report 2020 Final )

This is further to the key decision taken by the Cabinet Member for Communities, Voluntary Sector and the Environment on 16th March 2021 which gave approval for:
a) the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding for the Safe Accommodation Duty and accepts the £732,742 grant funding;
b) that the funding will be spent on the areas detailed in the report at paragraph 10;
c) approves to delegate authority to the Director of Adults, Health & Wellbeing, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Communities, Voluntary Sector and the Environment, to amend the spend subject to completion of consultation, a needs assessment and the development of a new Domestic Abuse Strategy for Doncaster (and in accordance with the grant conditions).

See attached Officer decision Record for further details.

1) To agree the proposed plans for spending the MHCLG safe accommodation grant for victims of domestic abuse, with permission given for variation in the amounts

2) For the 2021-2022 financial year only, to use MHCLG funding to pay for commitments currently being funded by Doncaster Council funds, and to ensure that Doncaster Council contracts will revert back to being paid for Doncaster Council if there is insufficient money from MHCLG in 2022-2023.

3) To agree to roll forward any underspend from the grant into 2022-2023

Ownership of the network was transferred to Doncaster Council Officers shortly after its creation. Since then, the Doncaster Green Space Network (DGSN) has been organised and coordinated by various DMBC Officers, but there is no dedicated Officer support.

Currently, there is no dedicated Officer support for the DGSN. Through consultation both Doncaster Council and the community groups involved in the network have recognised the need for committed support to the DGSN. Additional support would provide the resources, skills, and
attention to facilitate the development of the DGSN. This would increase the capacity and effectiveness of the network, whilst also providing Officers with additional capacity as the network grows in efficiency and sustainability.

Working with an external organisation aligns with our values of collaboration and partnership-building. Stepping away from the current Council-centric approach, we will work collaboratively to embed strength and sustainability within the Green Space Network and Green Space Volunteering.

The strategic aims of the DGSN are to build community capacity and sustainability within its community groups to support the development of, and improve community engagement in, Doncaster’s parks and green spaces. This will also support wider priorities within the Public Health agenda by increasing physical activity and improving health and wellbeing.

This is an opportunity to improve our ways of working with the DGSN. It is important to ensure that Get Doncaster Moving’s key strategic values are incorporated in the decision-making process.
We also wish to involve members of the GSN within the subsequent recruitment or tendering process. We will continue to seek the views of members of the GSN in the future and incorporate these perspectives into future development of the network and its governance.

Appoint to the post of the Doncaster Green Space Network Co-ordinator through by an external organisation via a procurement exercise.

A suitable partner will be sourced to support and facilitate the running of the Doncaster Green Space Network over the course of the Future Parks Programme. The purpose of the network is to provide a space for community groups to collaborate, share learning, and develop their volunteering capacity.

The funding for this role is in place through Get Doncaster Moving - Doncaster Future Parks.

GDM has £165,150 funded from Sport England over 5 years, to provide a Coordinator.

Ownership of the network was transferred to Doncaster Council Officers shortly after its creation. Since then, the Doncaster Green Space Network (DGSN) has been organised and coordinated by various DMBC Officers, but there is no dedicated Officer support.


Currently, there is no dedicated Officer support for the DGSN. Through consultation both Doncaster Council and the community groups involved in the network have recognised the need for committed support to the DGSN. Additional support would provide the resources, skills, and
attention to facilitate the development of the DGSN. This would increase the capacity and effectiveness of the network, whilst also providing Officers with additional capacity as the network grows in efficiency and sustainability.


Working with an external organisation aligns with our values of collaboration and partnership-building. Stepping away from the current Council-centric approach, we will work collaboratively to embed strength and sustainability within the Green Space Network and Green Space Volunteering.

The strategic aims of the DGSN are to build community capacity and sustainability within its community groups to support the development of, and improve community engagement in, Doncaster’s parks and green spaces. This will also support wider priorities within the Public Health agenda by increasing physical activity and improving health and wellbeing.

This is an opportunity to improve our ways of working with the DGSN. It is important to ensure that Get Doncaster Moving’s key strategic values are incorporated in the decision-making process.
We also wish to involve members of the GSN within the subsequent recruitment or tendering process. We will continue to seek the views of members of the GSN in the future and incorporate these perspectives into future development of the network and its governance.

Appoint to the post of the Doncaster Green Space Network Co-ordinator through by an external organisation via a procurement exercise.
A suitable partner will be sourced to support and facilitate the running of the Doncaster Green Space Network over the course of the Future Parks Programme. The purpose of the network is to provide a space for community groups to collaborate, share learning, and develop their volunteering capacity.


The funding for this role is in place through Get Doncaster Moving - Doncaster Future Parks.


GDM has £165,150 funded from Sport England over 5 years, to provide a Coordinator

The temporary Commissioning Manager post was approved via a previous ODR (12/12/18) to support Strategic Housing in strategic discussions to bolster strategic capacity in housing and commissioning services across the whole borough including the councils own stock (Housing Revenue Account HRA) in particular capacity to support work related to;

- Older People’s Accommodation
- Accommodation for people with Physical disabilities
- Wider strategic work with the Homes for All programmes Board.

The post (commenced 25/02/19) created capacity in these areas to support data, intel and insight gathering to inform decision making with regard to Housing across the borough including HRA stock, working with the Head of Service for Local Investment Planning working across departments to look at specific use of capital resources to deliver revenue savings in the future.
The Council’s response to the COVID19 pandemic throughout 2020 impacted on progress in this area as Adults, Health & Wellbeing staff in particular including the post holder were redirected to mitigate risks to vulnerable citizens and care providers arising from the impact of the pandemic particular during the national lockdown and subsequent local and national restrictions.
Funding of this post was secured from housing resources to fund the capacity in this area.

We are recommending an extension for up to six months (25/02/21 to 25/08/21) of this temporary post on the same basis to support the transition to new ways of working emerging from the Council’s Localities Operating Model where future data, intel and insight drawn from localities will drive housing related decision making regarding capital investment in Doncaster.

To extend funding the temporary Commissioning Manager supporting housing priorities and report to the Adults, Health and Well-being commissioning structure; directly to the Head of Strategic Commissioning.