The Doncaster Council Cabinet met to discuss a range of issues, including the town's financial performance, housing, and infrastructure improvements. Councillors approved a new library management system, accepted grant funding for improvements to the North Bridge Crossing, and discussed measures to address a projected budget overspend. They also agreed to enter a lease to enable the regeneration of the Waterdale area.

Here's a breakdown of the key topics discussed:

Quarter 2 Finance and Performance Report

The Cabinet reviewed the Quarter 2 Finance and Performance Report, which provided an overview of the council's financial position and performance against key priorities.

Key findings:

• A projected £5.2 million overspend, a reduction of £1.4 million compared to Quarter 1.
• Significant overspends in Adult Social Care (£6.3 million), Culture & Commercialisation (£1.0 million), Place (£1.5 million), and Children, Young People & Families (£1.5 million).
• A deteriorating Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) position, with a projected £19.1 million in-year deficit.

Discussion points:

• Adult Social Care: Increased demand for direct payments, supported living, and homecare services contributed to the overspend. Councillor David Nevett, Cabinet Member for Adults, Wellbeing and Culture, noted that while homecare hours were lower than in 2019, preventative work was essential to reduce the need for statutory care and NHS services.
• Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG): The rising costs associated with the High Needs Block¹ were a major concern. The council is anticipating the government's upcoming Schools White Paper, which is expected to address reforms to special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) provision.
• Savings and Efficiencies: The Cabinet discussed measures to address the overspend, including reviewing vacancies, implementing spending restrictions, and considering temporary reductions in service performance. They also approved the release of £5.2 million from earmarked reserves to offset the projected overspend.
• Capital Programme: A number of capital projects experienced slippage, including the Edlington Leisure Centre, Net Zero Carbon initiatives, and housing improvements.

Other key performance areas highlighted in the report:

• Tackling Climate Change: Reduced consumption of gas, electricity, and water across the council's transport fleet.
• Skills and Work: An increase in the number of refugees supported into employment, education, or training.
• Business and Jobs: A £1.8 million investment by Clerkenwell Health, a life sciences firm, in a new Doncaster facility.
• Health and Wellbeing: Adult social care services received a 'Good' rating from the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
• Community Safety: Progress in delivering the City Centre Locality Plan, focusing on safety, environmental quality, and community engagement.
• Housing: 84 new affordable homes were built during the quarter.
• Transport and Digital Connections: Progress toward reopening Doncaster Sheffield Airport (DSA), and the groundbreaking of Gateway One, a new digital tech hub.
• Culture and Heritage: Strong visitor numbers at community-managed libraries, Cusworth Park and Doncaster Gallery, Library and Museum (DGLAM).

Procuring a New Library Management System

The Cabinet approved a plan for the City of Doncaster Council's Library Service to enter into a contract with a preferred supplier identified through a regional consortium procurement process. Councillor David Nevett, Cabinet Member for Adults, Wellbeing and Culture, explained that the current Library Management System contract was due to expire in 2026, and joining the Libraries Connected Yorkshire and Humber consortium would provide several benefits:

• Improved customer experience: Allowing customers to borrow books more easily across Yorkshire and Humber.
• Better value for money: Increasing purchasing power and delivering savings of £7,000 to £14,000 per year.
• Shared expertise: Ensuring Doncaster benefits from the latest library management technology.

The council expects to save £10,000 in the first year of the contract, with potential savings rising to £14,000 per year thereafter.

North Bridge Crossing Improvements

The Cabinet agreed to accept £1.4 million in grant funding from the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) to deliver improvements to the North Bridge Crossing. Councillor Glyn Jones, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Environment, Housing and Safer Communities, stated that the project would improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists by creating a more direct alignment and separating pedestrian and cycle traffic.

The project aims to reduce conflict and improve safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers at the busy crossing, which serves as a key connection to the city centre. The improvements are scheduled to be completed by February 2026.

Waterdale Regeneration

The Cabinet approved entering into a lease to enable the potential freehold transfer of land and assets in the Waterdale area, as well as a sublease to Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust (RDaSH) to support a Health on the High Street initiative.

The plan involves leasing a vacant 25,000 square-foot retail unit on Kingsgate in Waterdale, which would then be subleased to RDaSH for health-related services. This move would allow the council to pursue the freehold transfer of a significant amount of land and assets in the Waterdale area, paving the way for a regeneration scheme.

The council also agreed to contribute up to £1 million to assist with capital fit-out costs for the building, funded from the capital contingency budget.

St. Leger Homes of Doncaster Limited (SLHD) Performance

The Cabinet reviewed the St. Leger Homes of Doncaster Limited (SLHD) Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and Tenant Satisfaction Measures (TSMs) for Quarter 2.

Key highlights from the report:

• Strong performance in managing rent arrears, with the percentage of current rent arrears against annual rent debit below target.
• High levels of tenant satisfaction with repairs, with a high percentage of repairs completed on the first visit.
• A high percentage of homes with valid gas safety certificates.

Areas needing improvement:

• Void rent loss: The percentage of void properties exceeding the target.
• Non-emergency repairs: Completion of non-emergency repairs within target timescales.
• Local spending: Percentage of local revenue expenditure below target.

The Cabinet noted the report and acknowledged SLHD's contribution to supporting the council's strategic priorities.