Meeting

For Information and Not Endorsement

For Decision

(a) Question from Mr Daniel Pye to the Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones:-

“In recent years, myself and my MP Ed Miliband have twice asked for a Zebra Crossing to be installed on Jossey Lane near Castle Hills Primary School to be told that accident statistics mean it isn't cost effective.

A child’s life is priceless. The Council have spent £25 million from the Transforming Cities & Active Travel Funds to only find out that Doncaster is the top city for Road Accident Risks per every 10,000 Residents.

We need to be spending money effectively for the greatest reward. Will the Council please consider my request and make this a priority?”

(b) Question from Mr Paul Bissett to the Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones:-

“Two huge developments in Edenthorpe continue to cause residents issues. We find that the majority of houses are being bought by private investment. This, in effect, disadvantages locals from being able to purchase and inflates rental prices. If buying six or more properties, the non-residential rates of SDLT (not the higher rates) will apply. I am sure developers will be happy, but yet again, locals who opposed these developments on the loss of amenities are receiving no benefit for that loss. Why can’t St Leger Homes buy these properties to rent at social housing prices and increase the housing stock for Doncaster?”

(c) Question from Mr Steve Merriman to the Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones:-

“A recent Report - 2024/25 Quarter Four Finance and Improvement, considered by both Cabinet and Overview and Scrutiny said in order to cover a £2.7m (2024/25) year-end budget overspend, the Council ‘reviewed a number of specific earmarked reserves’, ‘with a view to repurposing balances no longer needed for their original purposes’

E.g.

• COVID 19 £0.32m

• Stronger Families £0.50m

• Adult Social Care £0.32m

Did the review identify further unused earmarked reserves (beyond £2.70m) that are no longer needed for their original purposes, from within the £87.5 million of Earmarked Reserves declared in the 2024/25 Council Accounts?”

(d) Question from Mr Isaiah-John Reasbeck to the Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones:-

“A couple of weeks ago in Dunsville, I witnessed an elderly gentleman being knocked over by thugs wearing balaclavas on a motorbike. He was visibly shaken and suffered cuts to his head, knees, wrist, and had skin hanging off his forearm. Thankfully, my partner and I were there to provide first aid until the police arrived. This incident reflects a common issue in villages like Dunsville, where dangerous criminal drivers threaten residents daily. What measures does the mayor believe she and the cabinet can implement to prevent incidents like this from recurring?”

(e) Question from Mr Christopher Nowak to the Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones:-

“Why, since reopening on April 19th and after a 2 year refurbishment are 5 retail units in Doncaster’s Corn Exchange still empty? MAM Ltd were advertising these units for nearly 2 years as were Business Doncaster.

Now MAM are panicking and are giving incentives to try and attract traders as follows:

2 week free fit out

First 3 months rent free

25% rent discount for months 4 to 8

50% rent discount for months 9 to 10

25% rent discount for months 11 to 12

£1500 towards fit out costs.

Why are these units still empty after all this time?”

(f) Question from Mrs Sarah Barnes to the Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones:-

“In 2012, Doncaster Council cut staff pay by up to 2.5 percent due to austerity. Other South Yorkshire Councils made similar changes but have since restored their staff pay packets to the national terms and conditions. Today staff in Doncaster Council are paid less than their Sheffield. Barnsley and Rotherham equivalents, which affects recruitment, retention, and morale. GMB is campaigning for pay restoration in Doncaster Council. Can the Mayor tell me what plans she has to restore staff pay and end this injustice?”

“City of Doncaster Council serves all residents and must maintain absolute political neutrality. Council property belongs to all residents and should reflect our shared national identity, not particular causes, campaigns, or interest groups.

The Union Flag stands as the ultimate symbol of our United Kingdom, embodying centuries of shared history, sacrifice, and achievement that bind together all who call this nation home, regardless of background, belief, or origin.

The Union Flag represents the democratic values, freedoms, and rule of law that protect every citizen equally, serving as a beacon of the unity that transcends all divisions and celebrates our common citizenship. This flag honours the courage of all who have served our nation, the wisdom of our institutions, and the promise of opportunity that Britain offers to every person within our borders, making it the single unifying symbol of national identity.

Council land, buildings, vehicles, and assets are held in trust for all residents and must be managed with complete impartiality under the flag that represents every citizen without exception.

The display of any flags or symbols (save the exceptions below) other than the Union Flag on Council property undermines the Council's duty to serve all residents equally and risks politicising civic spaces that belong to the whole community.

It is proposed that the City of Doncaster Council:

Requests that the Mayor considers adopting a revised corporate flag protocol that permits only the Union Flag to be flown or displayed on any land, building, vehicle, or official material owned, operated, or controlled by the Council, with the following exceptions:

• The Royal Standard, when His Majesty the King is present on Council

property, in accordance with established protocol;

• The national flag of a visiting head of state or senior diplomatic

representative, to be flown temporarily for the duration of an official civic or

diplomatic visit.

And that:

i. In reference to the above proposed policy, any existing non-compliant flag displays be removed within 60 calendar days of policy adoption; and

ii. The Chief Executive bring a report back to the September 2025 Council meeting on progress toward implementation.”

(i) Questions on Notice to the Executive:-

(a) Question from Councillor Jane Cox to the Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones:-

“Can the Mayor please define an 'open' airport for the purpose of Chapter 5, Policy 6 of the local plan?”

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

(Please click on links where provided to view minutes)

South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority Board held on 11 February and 18 March 2025:

South Yorkshire MCA -11 February 2025

South Yorkshire MCA - 18 March 2025

South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority held on 17 February and 28 April 2025:

SYFRA - 17 February 2025

SYFRA - 28 April 2025

South Yorkshire Pensions Authority held on 13 February and 13 March, 2025:

SYPA - 13 February 2025

SYPA - 13 March 2025

South Yorkshire Police and Crime Panel held on 3 February, 17 March, 28 April and 15 May, 2025:

SYPCP - 3 February 2025

SYPCP - 17 March 2025

SYPCP - 28 April 2025

SYPCP - 15 May 2025

Team Doncaster Executive held on 10 December, 2024 and 11 March, 2025 (attached).