The Doncaster Council Cabinet is scheduled to meet to discuss a range of issues, including procuring a new library management system, accepting grant funding for improvements to the North Bridge Crossing, and approving a lease for land in Waterdale. They will also review the Quarter 2 Finance and Performance Report, and an update on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for St. Leger Homes of Doncaster Limited (SLHD).

Library Management System

A report in the meeting pack details a proposal for City of Doncaster Council (CDC) to join a regional consortium to procure a new Library Management System (LMS). The current contract with Axiell Ltd is due to end in September 2026. The report states that joining the Libraries Connected Yorkshire and Humber consortium, which represents 15 services, 300 libraries and 5.5 million customers, would:

Allowing customers to borrow books more easily wherever they work or live within the Libraries Connected Yorkshire and Humber area, which includes 246 libraries in Yorkshire, Humber and parts of Lincolnshire.

The report also claims that City of Doncaster Council could save between £7,000 and £14,000 per year by procuring the new system as part of the consortium.

North Bridge Crossing Improvements

The Cabinet will consider accepting £1.4 million in grant funding from the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) for improvements to the North Bridge Crossing. The funding comes from Active Travel Fund 4, and the stated aim is to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists.

The report pack states that the proposed scheme would:

enable pedestrians and cycles to access the City centre on a more direct alignment taking the current three stage crossing down to a two stage crossing.

The report also mentions upgrades to pedestrian and cycle infrastructure, as well as new landscaping between North Bridge and Church View.

Waterdale Land and Assets

The Cabinet will also consider a proposal to enter into a lease for a vacant retail unit in Waterdale, which would enable the council to take an option on the freehold transfer of land and assets in the area. The report pack states that a sublease would be put in place with Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust (RDaSH) to support a Health on the High Street initiative . The report also mentions a proposed capital contribution of up to £1 million to assist with fit-out costs for the building.

The report pack claims that ownership of the majority of Waterdale would:

provides an opportunity to start to address this priority, by working towards a regeneration scheme for this area.

Quarter 2 Finance and Performance Report

Mayor Ros Jones is scheduled to present the Quarter 2 Finance and Performance Improvement Report, which covers the second quarter of the 2025-26 financial year. The report projects a £5.2 million overspend, which is a reduction of £1.4 million compared to Quarter 1. The report pack identifies key areas contributing to the overspend, including Adult Social Care, Culture & Commercialisation, Place, and Children, Young People & Families.

The report pack also notes a deterioration in the Dedicated Schools Grant position, with a projected £19.1 million in-year deficit.

The report pack outlines various performance indicators related to the council's Great 8 Priorities ,¹ including:

• Tackling Climate Change
• Developing the skills to thrive in life and in work
• Making Doncaster the best place to do business and create good jobs
• Building opportunities for healthier, happier and longer lives for all
• Creating safer, stronger, greener and cleaner communities where everyone belongs
• Nurturing a child and family-friendly borough
• Building Transport and digital connections fit for the future
• Promoting the borough and its cultural, sporting, and heritage opportunities

The report pack also includes updates on various service standards, such as the number of homes retrofitted to improve energy efficiency, the percentage of planning applications processed within statutory timescales, and the percentage of adult social care provision rated as good or outstanding by the Care Quality Commission.

St. Leger Homes of Doncaster Limited (SLHD) Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

The Cabinet will receive an update on the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and Tenant Satisfaction Measures (TSMs) for St. Leger Homes of Doncaster Limited (SLHD) for Quarter 2 of 2025-26. The report pack includes a summary of SLHD's performance against agreed targets, including areas such as rent arrears, void rent loss, repairs completion, and tenant satisfaction.

The report pack states that 17 of the 28 KPIs being measured at quarter end were met or were within agreed tolerances of target.