The Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee of Doncaster Council met on Thursday 26 March 2026 to discuss the Community Safety Strategy 2026-29, the 2025-26 Quarter 3 Finance and Performance Improvement Report, and an update from St. Leger Homes of Doncaster Limited (SLHD) on their Key Performance Indicators and Tenant Satisfaction Measures. The committee also reviewed the Overview and Scrutiny Work Plan and the Council's Forward Plan of Key Decisions.

Community Safety Strategy 2026-29

The committee was scheduled to consider the proposed Community Safety Strategy for 2026-29. This strategy is a statutory plan developed by the multi-agency Safer Stronger Doncaster Partnership (SSDP) and outlines how the partnership intends to tackle crime and disorder, reduce re-offending, address anti-social behaviour, and combat alcohol and substance misuse. The strategy has been informed by extensive consultation with residents, community groups, and partners. Key priorities identified for the strategy include reducing anti-social behaviour, tackling substance and alcohol misuse, reducing crime and re-offending, tackling serious and organised crime, reducing violence and violent crime, and tackling domestic and sexual abuse. The report highlighted that overall crime in Doncaster had fallen by 15.7% since 2022, with most serious violence falling by 44.5% and residential burglary by 51%. The strategy aims to build on these achievements by focusing on prevention, early intervention, and partnership working, with the ambition for Doncaster to be a place where people feel safer, more supported, and more connected by 2029.

2025-26 Quarter 3 Finance and Performance Improvement Report

The committee was presented with the finance and performance outlook for the third quarter of the 2025-26 financial year. The report indicated a projected overall council overspend of £5.2 million, consistent with the previous quarter. Significant overspends were noted in Adults Social Care (£7.8 million), Culture & Commercialisation (£1.0 million), Place (£1.7 million), and Children, Young People & Families (£1.6 million), particularly in Children's Social Care. These pressures were partially offset by one-off contingency budgets and the deferral of the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund, which released £1.5 million. The report also highlighted an in-year deficit of £18.0 million projected for the Dedicated Schools Grant (High Needs Block), an improvement of £1.1 million from the previous quarter's forecast. The report detailed financial performance across various directorates, including Adults, Wellbeing and Culture, Children, Young People & Families, Corporate Resources, Chief Executive, and Place. It also provided an update on the capital programme, noting a £11 million slippage in the current year's budget and outlining the status of various schemes. The Treasury Management update indicated a projected £0.4 million overspend for the quarter due to increased temporary borrowing costs. The report also detailed the financial position of the Housing Revenue Account (HRA), projecting an underspend of £0.91 million, and provided updates on the Collection Fund for Council Tax and Business Rates, noting a £1.17 million deficit for Council Tax and a £1.06 million surplus for Business Rates. A significant concern was the projected £18.0 million overspend on the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) High Needs Block, with an overall projected DSG deficit of £55.6 million by March 2026. The report also outlined proposals for releasing £5.2 million from earmarked reserves to meet the projected overspend.

St. Leger Homes of Doncaster Limited (SLHD) Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and Tenant Satisfaction Measures (TSMs) Update

The committee received an update on St. Leger Homes of Doncaster Limited's (SLHD) performance for the third quarter of the 2025-26 financial year. The report indicated a generally positive performance, with 21 out of 30 measured KPIs meeting or being within agreed tolerances of their targets. Key areas of strength included a reduction in rent arrears, with performance better than target at 3.12%, and average days to re-let standard properties at 24.9 days, also better than target. The average number of nights in hotel accommodation for homeless households met the target of 21.0 days. Performance in managing anti-social behaviour cases per 1,000 properties was also better than target at 43.9 cases. The number of tenants helped into training, education, or employment exceeded the target, with 92 participants assisted compared to a target of 73. However, areas requiring improvement included the percentage of lettable voids at 1.08% (worse than target), the percentage of non-emergency repairs completed within target timescales at 67.7% (worse than target), and the percentage of homes not meeting the Decent Homes Standard at 10.8% (worse than target). Tenant satisfaction with the overall service and repairs service was reported as within tolerance but slightly below target. The report also included the annual Value for Money (VFM) statement for 2024/25, which concluded that SLHD remains a low-cost, mid to high-performing organisation when compared to its peers and nationally.

Overview and Scrutiny Work Plan and Council's Forward Plan of Key Decisions

The committee was scheduled to review the Overview and Scrutiny Work Plan for 2025/26, which outlines the planned scrutiny activities for the year across various committees, including Health and Adult Social Care, Children and Young People, Regeneration and Housing, and Community and Environment. The plan detailed specific topics and meeting dates for each committee. Additionally, the committee was to consider the Council's Forward Plan for the period 1st April to 31st July 2026. This plan sets out all Key Decisions expected to be taken by the Cabinet, Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Portfolio Holders, or Officers within that timeframe, including details of the decision, relevant cabinet member, decision-making body, contact officer, and documents to be considered. Key decisions scheduled for discussion included the renewal of PSPO powers for dog fouling and control, the revocation of Air Quality Management Areas, the approval of the Doncaster Domestic Abuse Strategy 2026-2030, and an update on the progress of reopening Doncaster Sheffield Airport.