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Doncaster Metripolitan Council
Councillors: 56
Wards: 22
Committees: 25
Meetings (2025): 88
Meetings (2024): 113

Meeting

Council - Doncaster

Meeting Times
Scheduled Time
Start:
Thursday, 11th July 2024
6:00 PM
End:
Thursday, 11th July 2024
10:00 PM
Actual Time
Started:
Thursday, 11th July 2024
12:00 AM
Finished:
Thursday, 11th July 2024
12:00 AM
Meeting Status
Status:
Confirmed
Date:
11 Jul 2024
Location:
Council Chamber, Civic Office, Waterdale, Doncaster DN1 3BU
Meeting Attendees
Councillor Tim Needham photo
Vice-Chair
Deputy Civic Mayor
Councillor Tim Needham

Labour and Co-operative Party

Present, as expected

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Councillor Bob Anderson photo
Committee Member
Councillor Bob Anderson

Labour

Present, as expected

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Councillor James Church photo
Committee Member
Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, Planning and Public Health
Councillor James Church

Labour

Present, as expected

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Councillor Gemma Cobby photo
Committee Member
Councillor Gemma Cobby

Labour

Present, as expected

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Councillor Jane Cox photo
Committee Member
Councillor Jane Cox

Conservative

Present, as expected

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Councillor Steve Cox photo
Committee Member
Conservative Group Leader
Councillor Steve Cox

Conservative

Present, as expected

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Councillor Sue Farmer photo
Committee Member
Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Families.
Councillor Sue Farmer

Labour

Present, as expected

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Councillor Martin Greenhalgh photo
Committee Member
Councillor Martin Greenhalgh

Conservative

Present, as expected

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Councillor Majid Khan photo
Committee Member
Councillor Majid Khan

Labour

Apologies

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Councillor Jane Kidd photo
Committee Member
Councillor Jane Kidd

Labour and Co-operative Party

Present, as expected

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Councillor David Nevett photo
Committee Member
Cabinet Member for Adults, Wellbeing and Culture
Councillor David Nevett

Labour

Present, as expected

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Councillor Glyn Jones photo
Deputy Mayor
Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Environment, Housing and Safer Communities
Councillor Glyn Jones

Labour

Present, as expected

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Councillor Nick Allen photo
Committee Member
Councillor Nick Allen

Conservative

Present, as expected

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Officer
Executive Director of Place
Dan Swaine

Expected

Councillor Cynthia Ransome photo
Committee Member
Councillor Cynthia Ransome

Conservative

Present, as expected

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Councillor Ken Guest photo
Committee Member
Councillor Ken Guest

Labour

Present, as expected

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Chair
Civic Mayor
Councillor Julie Grace

Present, as expected

Mayor Ros Jones photo
Mayor
Mayor of Doncaster, leading on Budget, Policy and Economic Development
Mayor Ros Jones

Labour

Present, as expected

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Committee Member
Councillor Duncan Anderson

Present, as expected

Committee Member
Portfolio Holder for Early Help, Young People and Children's Social Care
Councillor Lani-Mae Ball

Present, as expected

Committee Member
Portfolio Holder for Public Health, Communities, Leisure and Culture
Councillor Nigel Ball

Present, as expected

Committee Member
Councillor Iris Beech

Present, as expected

Committee Member
Portfolio Holder for Highways, Infrastructure and Enforcement
Councillor Joe Blackham

Present, as expected

Committee Member
Councillor Rachael Blake

Apologies

Committee Member
Councillor Glenn Bluff

Apologies

Committee Member
Councillor Laura Bluff

Apologies

Committee Member
Councillor Nigel Cannings

Present, as expected

Committee Member
Councillor Bev Chapman

Apologies

Committee Member
Portfolio Holder for Finance, Traded Services and Planning
Councillor Phil Cole

Present, as expected

Committee Member
Councillor Linda Curran

Present, as expected

Councillor Robert Dennis photo
Committee Member
Councillor Robert Dennis

Labour

Present, as expected

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Committee Member
Councillor Aimee Dickson

Apologies

Committee Member
Councillor Susan Durant

Present, as expected

Committee Member
Councillor Yetunde Elebuibon

Present, as expected

Committee Member
Councillor Sean Gibbons

Apologies

Committee Member
Councillor John Healy

Present, as expected

Committee Member
Councillor Leanne Hempshall

Present, as expected

Committee Member
Councillor Charlie Hogarth

Present, as expected

Committee Member
Portfolio Holder for Sustainability and Waste
Councillor Mark Houlbrook

Present, as expected

Committee Member
Councillor Debbie Hutchinson

Present, as expected

Committee Member
Councillor Richard A Jones

Apologies

Committee Member
Councillor Sue Knowles

Present, as expected

Committee Member
Councillor Sophie Liu

Present, as expected

Committee Member
Councillor Tracey Moran

Apologies

Committee Member
Councillor John Mounsey

Present, as expected

Committee Member
Councillor Emma Muddiman-Rawlins

Apologies

Committee Member
Portfolio Holder for Corporate Resources
Councillor Jane Nightingale

Present, as expected

Committee Member
Councillor Thomas Noon

Apologies

Committee Member
Councillor Ian Pearson

Present, as expected

Committee Member
Councillor Andy Pickering

Absent

Committee Member
Councillor Rob Reid

Absent

Committee Member
Councillor Andrea Robinson

Apologies

Committee Member
Councillor Dave Shaw

Present, as expected

Committee Member
Councillor Glynis Smith

Present, as expected

Committee Member
Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care
Councillor Sarah Smith

Present, as expected

Committee Member
Councillor Gary Stapleton

Present, as expected

Committee Member
Councillor Austen White

Apologies

Agenda
0
For Decision
0
For Information and Not Endorsement
0 A. Items where the Public and Press may not be excluded.
0 .1 Addendum to Agenda Item 7 - Results of Town Ward By-Election held on 4th July 2024
1 Apologies for Absence.
Minutes Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Rachael Blake, Glenn Bluff, Laura Bluff, Bev Chapman, Aimee Dickson, Sean Gibbons, Richard Allan Jones, Majid Khan, Tracey Moran, Emma Muddiman-Rawlins, Thomas Noon, Andrea Robinson and Austen White.
2 To consider the extent, if any, to which the public and press are to be excluded from the meeting.
3 Declarations of Interest, if any.
Minutes There were no declarations made at the meeting.
4 Minutes of the Annual Council Meeting held on 17th May 2024
Attachments:
Minutes RESOLVED that the minutes of the Annual Council Meeting held on 17th May 2024 be approved as a true record and signed by the Chair.
5 To receive any announcements from the Chair of Council, the Mayor, Members of the Cabinet or the Head of Paid Service.
Minutes The Chair of Council, Councillor Julie Grace made the following announcement: -

“On behalf of the City of Doncaster Council, I would like to extend our warmest congratulations to Doncaster residents, Sarah McLeod and Janice Jinks who were both recognised for their achievements in the King’s Birthday Honours.

Sarah, who is the Chief Executive Officer for Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust, received an OBE for services to Heritage. Janice, who is a foster carer and Chair of Doncaster Foster Carers Association, received an MBE for services to Supporting Families.

Both awards are well-deserved, recognising both Sarah and Janice for their passion, dedication and the tremendous work that they do. Well done to you both.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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

Announcement 1:-

“I would like to congratulate our new councillor for Town Ward Rob Dennis and our 4 new Labour MPs for Doncaster. We have Ed Miliband for Doncaster North, Sally Jameson for Doncaster Central, John Healey for Conisbrough and Rawmarsh and Lee Pitcher for Doncaster East and the Isle of Axholme.

We now have a Labour government for the first time in over 14 years, despite this change in government I offer the opposition an opportunity to put party politics aside and work with me and my cabinet cross-party in order to drive forward the change and prosperity needed to enable Doncaster to truly thrive.

I would also like to pass on the congratulations of this Council to our former MP for Doncaster Central Dame Rosie Winterton on being awarded a peerage ahead of the General Election. Rosie had been the MP for Doncaster Central for 27 years after first being elected in 1997. She worked as a minister for several government departments from 2001 to 2010 and was Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons from 2017 until her retirement in May. In 2015, she received a damehood for her long-term political service. Rosie’s over quarter century of dedicated service led her to being respected on both sides of the House of Commons.

Working with Rosie over the past few years as Deputy speaker she had incredible access to government ministers, consistently promoting Doncaster behind the scenes and helping to secure significant investment for Doncaster. Rosie will now represent Doncaster in the House of Lords, and I am pleased to say Sally Jameson MP will continue Rosie’s work representing the residents and businesses of Doncaster Central.”

Announcement 2:-

“It will be two years on Saturday since Peel launched their strategic review into Doncaster Sheffield Airport, and despite all our best-efforts Peel decided to close the airport with the last flight taking off in November 2022. These two years have been incredibly challenging, with many thinking that a lease agreement with Peel would not be possible, but here we are. We now have a 125-year lease for the airport and are in the process of appointing an airport operator.

The bid process closed 3 weeks ago, and we are now reviewing those bids. As you can imagine the assessment of this significance involves very detailed and complex examination of bidders’ businesses cases. Despite what the media may be saying or the rumours on social media, at this point we have not yet decided on an operator.

There remains a number of legal and due-diligence processes yet to complete as per our managed plan, the snap General Election created a couple more hurdles to overcome, but progress is being made and I am pleased to say that we have the support of our new labour Secretary of State for Transport.

In relation to the Airspace, throughout the General Election campaign we continued to engage with the government, but we also made representation to the then Shadow Secretary of State for Transport, in order that if there was a transfer of power then the new Secretary of State would be fully briefed. We are requesting that the newly appointed Secretary of State for Transport supports the full re-establishment of our airspace, as we are now leaseholders and have the backing of all four of our Doncaster MPs, we need the airport to again be part of this country's aviation infrastructure for the betterment of Doncaster, South Yorkshire, and the wider regions.

We are not over the line yet, but I must pay tribute to the dedicated council officers leading this piece of work which we call the South Yorkshire Airport City programme. I will update Full Council further on progress in the future.”

Announcement 3:-

“We are currently finalising our submission to government in order to start receiving the Long-Term Plan for Towns funding of £2m per year for ten years. You will have noticed our Big City Conversation engagement exercise which concluded at the end of June. This was a requirement to provide evidence for the submission to government.

Our Big City Conversation consultation had over 8,000 responses. The overarching theme mentioned is safety and security within our city centre.

We all accept there are challenges to overcome. This will take a partnership approach involving South Yorkshire Police, our NHS and of course this Council.

As elected members of Doncaster it is up to all of us to promote the incredible businesses within our city centre and across Doncaster.

It is to this purpose I have committed £1m of funding towards targeted interventions to tackle anti-social behaviour in our city and principal town centres in advance of receiving the Long-Term Plan for Towns funding.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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

“I would like to inform Council that Councillor Rachael Blake has been removed from the Communities and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Panel, and has been replaced with our newly elected Councillor, Rob Dennis.”
6 Questions from the public in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 13:-
(a) Question from Mr Paul Bissett to the Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones and Councillor Glyn Jones, Cabinet Member for Housing and Business:-

“Hull City Council set the splendid example building 99 homes, energy efficient, tackling the cost of living, helping lower energy bills. These are 20 one bedroom, 49 two bedroom, 20 three bedroom and 10 four-bedroom Council properties all for affordable rent.

Herald Rd (Hungerhill) Edenthorpe is neither Council houses or guided by the Edenthorpe Neighbourhood Plan (adopted July 2021). City of Doncaster Council (CDC) owned this land then sold it to the developer (Keepmoat/Strata). This land is the very last available piece of land in Edenthorpe. CDC has not built any Council houses, why was this was not used for Council housing?”

(b) Question from Mr Christopher Nowak to Councillor Phil Cole, Cabinet Member for Finance, Traded Services and Planning:-

“Please could you tell me and other Doncaster residents why, after over 5 months, the two units in the Wool Market, previously occupied by Rustic Pizza and Zaytuna, remain empty?”
Minutes (a) Question from Mr Paul Bissett to the Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones: -

“Hull City Council set the splendid example of building 99 energy efficient homes, helping to tackle the cost of living with lower energy bills. These are 20 one bedroom, 49 two bedroom, 20 three bedroom and 10 four-bedroom Council properties all at affordable rent.

The Herald Road, Hungerhill Development at Edenthorpe does not include Council houses nor is it guided by the Edenthorpe Neighbourhood Plan, adopted in July 2021. The City of Doncaster Council owned this land then sold it to the developer (Keepmoat/Strata). This land is the very last available piece of land in Edenthorpe. The Council has not built any Council houses. Why was this land not used for Council housing?”

The Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones, gave the following reply:-

“Thank you for your question Mr Bissett. Disposal of the site was approved by Cabinet on 5th November 2019 as part of the General Fund Capital Receipts Programme which identified a programme of sites for disposal and development to both support the Council’s Capital Programme and create further investment and regeneration opportunities.

The site was allocated in the now superseded Unitary Development Plan for employment. Due to lack of demand the site remained vacant for many years and following prompting from Homes England, consideration given to residential development. Following this, Outline planning consent was sought, and the site made available for sale.

It is not Council policy to promote or develop large single tenure council estates including those within the Council’s own house building programme.

The site you mention will deliver a full Planning Policy compliant number of affordable homes, with 96 planned across the Northern and Southern sites. This will include 23 homes for City of Doncaster Council as part of the Section106 agreement and will be a welcome addition to our St Leger social housing stock.

Since 2013/14, we have built or acquired 694 St Leger Homes housing stock units.”

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 13.10, Mr Bissett asked the following supplementary question:-

“We have two huge unwanted housing developments in Edenthorpe and now there is no more available land on which to build affordable housing unless there are plans to extend the boundary. The site that we suggested was turned down due to being a flood risk. Who can tell me why Edenthorpe has been deprived?”

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

“Edenthorpe was given the information when the decisions were made. We followed the recommendations given to us following the housing needs assessment and in fact, Edenthorpe actually got more than was recommended.”

(b) Question from Mr. Christopher Nowak to Councillor Phil Cole, Cabinet Member for Finance, Traded Services and Planning:-

“Please could you tell me and other Doncaster residents why, after over 5 months, the two units in the Wool Market, previously occupied by Rustic Pizza and Zaytuna, remain empty?”

Councillor Phil Cole gave the following reply:-

“Thank you for your question Mr Nowak.

As you have already been informed, one of the units was handed back in February due to late handover. Since then, renovations have taken place, heads of terms signed and a new lease agreed for this unit.

The other unit has been unoccupied since the end of January. Market Asset Management Ltd had a new tenant lined up to open in April, but unfortunately, they pulled out at the last minute, before signing the lease. They now have another tenant who will be signing their heads of terms in the next few weeks.

I wish those tenants every success at this popular venue.”

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 13.10, Mr. Nowak asked the following supplementary question:-

“Statements made by MAM lead me to believe that vacant units would be snapped up quickly but yet these have been empty for five months. Would you say this is an acceptable time to wait?”

Councillor Phil Cole gave the following reply:-

“There is a lot of commercial confidentiality involved in agreeing tenancies and the reasons why they don’t always take place. There is intense competition for these units and they are immensely popular in the City Centre. the Wool Market is incredibly successful and will continue to be so.”
7 Results of Town Ward By-Election held on 4th July 2024
Minutes The Council considered a report, together with an Addendum tabled at the meeting, which detailed the outcome of the recent Town Ward by-election held on 4th July 2024. It was noted that there had been five candidates and Rob Dennis had been duly elected as a City of Doncaster Councillor for the Town Ward with a total of 2770 votes (turnout 39.38%).

Councillor Dennis thanked Council staff for providing him with an excellent Councillor induction programme. He also thanked the residents of Town Ward for voting him in as their new Labour ward Councillor. He stated that it was an honour and a privilege to represent the ward that he had grown up in and lived in. Councillor Dennis commented that as a younger Councillor he hoped to be a voice for the younger Doncaster citizens and also bring about change where it was needed. He thanked the many Labour members who had helped him during his campaign and stated that Doncaster clearly wanted and needed Labour elected representatives. He added that he was proud to be a Labour councillor in a Labour Council with a Labour Mayor, four Labour MPs, a Labour South Yorkshire Mayor and a Labour Government. Councillor Dennis concluded by stating that he was privileged to serve the residents of Town Ward and the wider City.

RESOLVED to receive and note the results of the Town Ward by-election held on 4th July, 2024.
8 Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report 2023-24
Minutes The Council considered the Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report, which highlighted the work of the City of Doncaster Council’s Overview and Scrutiny function during 2023/24. The report provided a summary of the activities undertaken by the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee (OSMC) and its four Standing Panels, highlighted some of the key achievements and impacts over the past year, and identified priorities for 2024/25.

In presenting the report, the Chair of the OSMC, Councillor Jane Kidd, thanked Members, the Executive, Officers, Partners, Stakeholders, Youth Council, Young Advisers and the public, who had taken the time to participate in meetings and contribute to the Overview and Scrutiny process.

It was noted that the Annual Report provided an overview of some of the key work strands undertaken by OSMC and the Panels last year and demonstrated how this aligned and contributed to the Doncaster Delivering Together priorities.

It also highlighted how Overview and Scrutiny had engaged with the public and partners, held decision makers to account, contributed to policy development and provided an opportunity for Members to consider issues they felt were important to residents of the Borough. Councillor Kidd stated that these were all important elements of Overview and Scrutiny.

Councillor Kidd explained that Overview and Scrutiny was constantly looking at ways to improve and last year support had been provided by the Local Government Association (LGA) to improve scrutiny members’ questioning skills. This year, with continued LGA support, Overview and Scrutiny members would be looking at developing their questioning skills further and identifying ways of adding more value and impact to decision making and the delivery of services.

Members noted that moving forward to 2024/25, Overview and Scrutiny’s work planshad been aligned to the Doncaster Delivering Together, Wellbeing Goals and outcomes and Great 8 priorities, which would help keep a strategic focus and positively contribute to improving services within the Borough.

In concluding the presentation of the report, Councillor Kidd asked Members to contact her as the Chair or Officers, if there were any suggested issues for consideration at future Scrutiny meetings or reviews.

After the Scrutiny Panel Chairs had each given a brief summary of the key achievements and pieces of work undertaken by their respective Panels over the past year, it was

RESOLVED that the Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report 2023/24 be noted.
9 Doncaster Health and Wellbeing Board's Third Annual Report 2023/24
Attachments:
Minutes Councillor Nigel Ball, Chair of the Health and Well Being Board, presented the Health and Wellbeing report Annual Report for 2023/24 to Council. This was the third annual report of the Health and Wellbeing Board and provided an overview of the work undertaken between June 2023 and June 2024.

Prior to giving an overview of the report, Councillor Ball paid tribute to the previous Chair, Councillor Rachael Blake and the work she had carried out in the last 7 years in the role. Councillor Blake, had been an inspiring Chair, and Councillor Ball thanked her for all her positive work.

The report identified the roles and responsibilities of the Health and Wellbeing Board and its statutory duties: Understanding the Doncaster population – the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment, Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment and provided an update on the Health and Wellbeing Board as a system sponsor for research.

The report provided updates across the three life stages, Starting Well, Living Well and Ageing Well as well as describing system working for health and wellbeing, including Get Doncaster Moving, compassionate approaches to health and wellbeing, Arts and Health and Community Based Approaches through Well Doncaster. Finally, the report provided an update on the links to the borough strategy - Doncaster Delivering Together, synergies with the South Yorkshire ICP strategy/five year forward plan and progress to refresh the Health and Wellbeing strategy.

Councillor Ball outlined the next steps for the Health and Well Being Board and referenced the Board’s six recommendations that were set out in the report.

Following the presentation of the report by Councillor Ball, all Members in the Chamber were afforded the opportunity to make any comments, with everyone indicating that they welcomed the report.

RESOLVED that Council note the report and it be published on the Council’s Website.
10 Questions by Elected Members in accordance with Council Procedure Rules 15.2 and 15.3:-
(i) Questions on Notice to the Executive:-

None received for this meeting.

(ii) Questions without Notice to the Executive and the Chairs of Committees.
Minutes Questions on Notice

There were no questions on notice received from Elected Members for this meeting.

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 the Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones

Q. From Councillor Cynthia Ransome to the Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones:-

“My question relates to your comments on page 4 item 9 of the minutes from the last meeting. Your quote was -

‘When I first became Mayor in 2013, I inherited a Council that was in special measures and deemed to be a basket case and dysfunctional’.

You failed to mention it was in special measures because of the Labour party’s appalling handling of Children’s Services.

And - what else did you inherit in 2013?

A thriving High Street;

The first Council houses built in Doncaster in 20 years;

Thriving Market;

The opening of the North Bridge;

A new Civic Building;

Anti-Social Behaviour reduced by 33%;

Clean Streets with an accolade to prove it;

The highest fine for fly tipping of £250,000;

Championed on a TV programme as a Town tough on litter;

Taxis able to use Bus lanes.

My Question is this – having signed up to the Kindness Pledge and your quest of working together - is “Basket Case” the sort of language fitting for a Mayor to use?”

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

“The term ‘basket case’ was used by others but one which I endorse to describe the Council as it was at that time. We turned the Council around and can demonstrate that we have driven Doncaster forward in so many ways. And in terms of what we have achieved, I can give you a list of what we have done whilst I have been Mayor.”

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

Q. “Were you aware at the time that the quote from the inspectors on your words of a ‘dysfunctional council’ were - “the Labour party’s hatred of the Mayor and Cabinet is greater than their love of the Doncaster people”. This was reported in the press in 2013. So, has anything changed?”

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

“We have a very robust Labour Party here in Doncaster. The city has drastically improved since we took over the Governance in Doncaster and things have changed for the better.”

B. Questions to the Deputy Mayor, Councillor Glyn Jones, Cabinet Member for Housing and Business

Councillor Cynthia Ransome asked the following question: -

Q. “When all guidelines of the LGA point to Scrutiny it is recommended that Chairs should be in opposition to the Mayor and Cabinet, could you explain why in 11 years we have only had labour chairs, when constantly being asked for and denied, surely other parties are being discriminated against?”

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

“As you are aware, proportionality on Scrutiny Panels in this Council has been waived, which has gone in your favour and therefore I cannot see where you are coming from on this matter”.

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

Q. “I am talking about the Chairs of the Scrutiny Panels, not proportionality of members?”

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

“Well as you are aware, the Conservative Group have always been offered two Vice Chair positions over many years, which is more than we are required to do.”

C. Questions to Councillor Lani-Mae Ball, Cabinet Member for Early Help, Education, Skills and People

There were no questions to Councillor Lani-Mae Ball, Cabinet Member for Early Help, Education, Skills and People.

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

Q. Councillor Cynthia Ransome asked the following question: -

“Last year I reported that Doncaster Children were not given the opportunity to sign up to the National Readers Challenge. We were the only local authority area not taking part in the country. Why are our children being denied this? You have explained to me that Doncaster is running its own reading challenge, however I do not think that the quality of the standalone Doncaster Challenge is comparable to the National one. And the problem this year is that the libraries have not yet received the Doncaster one?”

A. Councillor Nigel Ball, Cabinet Member for Public Health, Communities, Leisure and Culture gave the following response:-

“In terms of the national reading challenge, Doncaster has embarked on its own reading initiative, as the feedback received indicated that the national challenge was not of such good value and quality as our local initiative. We have customised the Doncaster challenge in order that it is Doncaster based and this has been rolled out to all our community libraries. A number of local authorities have taken the same approach by running localised reading challenges. In addition, while take up levels with the national reading challenge were quite low, under the local initiative, take up levels have increased. I will chase up a date as to when this year’s local reading challenge is due to start and let you know.”

Q. Councillor Cynthia Ransome asked the following question:-

“I’m delighted to see that the opening times have increased, however could you please indicate when Cusworth Hall will be hosting weddings as it is a splendid venue with parking facilities, and is good for photography, and it is also profitable?”

A. Councillor Nigel Ball, Cabinet Member for Public Health, Communities, Leisure and Culture gave the following response:-

“There is a development plan for Cusworth Hall, working in conjunction with the Registrars team, which is looking to incorporate more functions such as weddings and civic events at the venue. Officers are working hard to get the development plan moving, alongside the great work with the Mansion House, and it will all come to fruition in the future. I will speak to the officers and report back to you with an update on progress.”

E. Questions to Councillor Joe Blackham, Cabinet Member for Highways, Infrastructure and Enforcement

There were no questions put to Councillor Joe Blackham, Cabinet Member for Highways, Infrastructure and Enforcement.

F. Questions to Councillor Phil Cole, Cabinet Member for Finance, Traded Services and Planning

There were no questions put to Councillor Phil Cole, Cabinet Member for Finance, Traded Services and Planning.

G. Questions to Councillor Sue Farmer, Cabinet Member for Equalities, Education and Skills

There were no questions put to Councillor Sue Farmer, Cabinet Member for Equalities, Education and Skills.

H. Questions to Councillor Mark Houlbrook, Cabinet Member for Sustainability and Waste

Q. Councillor Gary Stapleton asked the following question:-

“I have a question with regard to the terminology ‘basket case’. This is a very insulting term for a veteran, as it derives from someone who has been injured and lost a limb and has to be carried in a basket to safety. Given the number of high profile veterans that we have in Doncaster who have gone through this experience, do you agree with me that no Council Officer or elected official should ever use that terminology again?”

A. Councillor Mark Houlbrook, Cabinet Member for Sustainability and Waste gave the following response:-

“That question has already been answered. I have no further comment.”

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

Q. “I am disappointed that as Veterans Champion that is your response. All that I asked was that you agree that this terminology should not be used?”

A. Councillor Mark Houlbrook, Cabinet Member for Sustainability and Waste gave the following response:-

“Any terminology used negatively towards armed forces personnel is wrong.”

I. Questions to Councillor Jane Nightingale, Cabinet Member for Corporate Resources

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

J. Questions to Councillor Sarah Smith, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care

There were no questions put to Councillor Sarah Smith, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care.

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

There were no questions put to Councillor Austen White, Chair of the Audit Committee.

L. Questions to Councillor Emma Muddiman-Rawlins, Chair of the Elections and Democratic Structures Committee.

There were no questions put to Councillor Emma Muddiman-Rawlins, Chair of the Elections and Democratic Structures Committee.

M. Questions to Councillor Nigel Ball, Chair of the Health and Wellbeing Board

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

N. Questions to Councillor Jane Kidd, Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee

There were no questions put to Councillor Jane Kidd, Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee.
11 Revised Executive Scheme of Delegations
Minutes The Council received an information report which provided details of some minor revisions recently made to the Mayor’s Scheme of Delegations, details of which were summarised at paragraph 6 of the report. A copy of the latest Scheme incorporating these revisions, which was signed off by the Mayor on 27th June 2024, was attached to the report at Appendix A.

RESOLVED to note the contents of the report, including the revised Executive Scheme of Delegations.
12 To receive the minutes of the following Joint Authorities.
(Please click on links to view minutes)

A. South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority Board held on 13th February and 12th March 2024:

South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority Board held on 13 February 2024

South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority Board held on 12 March 2024

B. South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority held on 19th February 2024.

South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority held on 19 February 2024

C. South Yorkshire Pensions Authority held on 7th December 2023, 8th February and 14th March 2024:

South Yorkshire Pensions Authority held on 7 December 2023

South Yorkshire Pensions Authority held on 8 February 2024

South Yorkshire Pensions Authority held on 14 March 2024

D. South Yorkshire Police and Crime Panel held on 5th February 2024.

South Yorkshire Police and Crime Panel held on 5 February 2024

E. Team Doncaster Executive held in December 2023 and March 2024 (attached).
Attachments:
Minutes RESOLVED that the minutes of the following Joint Authorities meetings be noted:-

A. South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority Board held on 13th February and 12th March, 2024.

B. South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority held on 19th February, 2024

C. South Yorkshire Pensions Authority held on 7th December, 2023, and 8th February and 14th March, 2024

D. South Yorkshire Police and Crime Panel held on 5th February, 2024.

E. Team Doncaster Executive held on December 2023 and March 2024
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