This week in Doncaster:

New Housing Developments Spark Debate

The Planning Committee met this week to discuss several significant planning applications, including two residential developments that have drawn considerable public interest. You can read the full details of the meeting here.

• Lutterworth Drive Development: A proposal for 53 affordable homes on land south of Lutterworth Drive is moving forward. The development aims to provide 100% affordable housing on a site already designated for housing in the Doncaster Local Plan. Concerns raised by the public regarding design, amenity, highways, and ecology have been addressed, according to the report. The project is also set to deliver a 10% Biodiversity Net Gain[^3].
• Hatfield Lane Development: A plan to build 150 dwellings on land north of Hatfield Lane in Barnby Dun is also under consideration. This proposal has generated 63 objections from the public. The development is planned for a designated housing allocation area and includes 23% on-site affordable homes.

Both developments are being presented to the Planning Committee due to the high level of public interest.

Health Board Focuses on Ageing and Funding

The Health and Wellbeing Board convened to discuss enhancing the experience of ageing in Doncaster and to endorse budget allocations for the Better Care Fund (BCF) for 2025/26. More information is available from the meeting's agenda.

• Ageing Well: The board explored strategies to create a more responsive and inclusive society for older residents, focusing on community engagement and age-friendly initiatives. They considered what kind of society they want to create for Doncaster residents as they age, and how the Board can influence its own organisations to become more responsive, inclusive, and proactive in achieving this vision.
• Better Care Fund: The board endorsed the budget allocations for the Better Care Fund[^1], a shared initiative between Doncaster Council and the South Yorkshire Integrated Care Board. This fund supports various services aimed at helping people live healthier, more independent lives, including timely support for complex needs, home adaptations, and support for unpaid carers. Failure to approve these documents would prevent funding from being issued.

Planning Enforcement in Focus

The Planning Committee reviewed the Planning Enforcement performance for the fourth quarter of 2024/25. You can read the full report here.

• Key Cases: The report highlighted several ongoing enforcement cases, including unauthorised site preparations, changes of land use, and non-compliance with planning conditions. These cases span various locations across Doncaster, from Stainforth Allotments to properties in Hexthorpe and Askern.
• Section 215 Notices: The council has issued several Section 215 notices[^7] requiring landowners to improve the condition of their properties, particularly in areas like Hexthorpe.

Other Matters

• The Planning Committee noted a report on appeal decisions received from the planning inspectorate[^1], including dismissed appeals for developments in Thorne, Hatfield Woodhouse, and Carcroft.

Upcoming Meetings

• Licensing Committee on Wednesday 18 June 2025. You can find more information here.

This week in Doncaster:

• The Council convened for its annual meeting, covering topics such as the election of the chair and vice-chair, committee appointments, and the member development programme.

Council - Friday 23 May 2025

The Council of Doncaster Council convened for its annual meeting to address a variety of procedural and governance matters, including the election of the chair and vice-chair, committee appointments, and a review of the member development programme. The meeting was scheduled to take place in two parts, the first at the Mansion House and the second in the Council Chamber at the Civic Office[^1][^2].

Here's a breakdown of the key items that were listed for discussion:

Election of Chair and Vice-Chair

The meeting was scheduled to begin with the election of the chair and vice-chair of the council. According to the Inauguration Procedure 2025, Councillor Julie Grace, the outgoing chair, was to invite nominations for the position of chair for the upcoming municipal year. The process involved seconding nominations and recording votes, with a transfer of the Chain of Office[^3] to the newly elected chair. The new chair's first duty would be to solicit nominations for the vice-chair position, following a similar voting procedure.

Presentation to Retiring Chair

Following the election of the new chair and vice-chair, the agenda included the presentation of badges to the retiring Councillor Julie Grace, former Chair of Council, and her Mayoress Miss Ellie Grace.

Results of Local Elections

The council was scheduled to note the results of the combined local and mayoral elections held on 1 May 2025. According to the Council - Election Results report, these elections included the City of Doncaster Council Elected Mayor, 55 City of Doncaster Council Councillors for all 21 wards and 304 Town/Parish Councillors for all 37 Town/Parish Councils with 55 wards. The Council - Election Results - Appendix A was to provide a summary of the results.

Executive Composition and Delegations

Mayor Ros Jones was expected to present a report on the composition of the executive and the elected mayor's scheme of delegations. The Exec Scheme of Delegations - AGM 230525 report FINAL stated that the executive procedure rules require the elected mayor to inform the council of the composition of the executive for the year ahead, including the names of councillors chosen to be members of the cabinet, and to provide a broad outline of the scheme of delegations for the discharge of executive functions.

Committee and Sub-Committee Terms of Reference

The council was scheduled to review and agree on proposed revisions to the terms of reference for its committees and sub-committees. According to the Terms of Reference Report, revisions were proposed for the Health and Well Being Board, Audit Committee, and Planning Committee. The Appendix - Terms Ref 25 to 26 document detailed the specific changes, including incorporating guidance from the Local Government Association for the Health and Wellbeing Board, a technical change for the Audit Committee due to new Global Internal Audit Standards, and removing reference to the Local Development Framework[^5] for the Planning Committee.

Review of Proportionality and Allocation of Seats

The council was to consider the proportionality and allocation of seats on committees and sub-committees for the 2025/26 municipal year. The Allocation of Seats 2025 - Final report outlined the need to allocate seats based on the political makeup of the council, in accordance with the Local Government and Housing Act 1989[^4].

Appointment of Chairs and Vice-Chairs

Following the allocation of seats, the council was to appoint chairs and vice-chairs of committees and sub-committees. The Appointment of Chairs Vice Chairs 2025-2026 final report included a list of committees and sub-committees for which these appointments were necessary.

Appointments to Outside Bodies

The council was also scheduled to make appointments to various outside bodies for the 2025/26 municipal year. The Council Appointments to Outside Bodies 202526 FINAL report and APPENDIX A - Outside Bodies Council Appointments 2025-26 FINAL detailed the organizations and the roles for which council representation was required.

Council Diary of Meetings

The council was to approve the diary of meetings for the 2025-2027 municipal years. The Diary of Meetings report and Appendix A - Council Diary 2025-2027 included a schedule of meetings for the upcoming years, including council, cabinet, and committee meetings.

Member Development Programme

The council was scheduled to discuss and endorse the member development programme for 2025-2029. The Member Development 2025 report outlined the council’s approach to member training and development, including an indicative programme for 2025/26.

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Checks

The council was to consider its position on Disclosure and Barring Service[^7] (DBS) checks for elected members. The Council 230525 DBS checks elected members FINAL report provided the legislative and recommended position for DBS checks, with a request to agree to continue the council’s current position on enhanced checks for specified elected members and to endorse voluntary basic level checks for all remaining elected members.

This week in Doncaster:

• The Planning Committee meeting was scheduled, but no transcript or minutes are available.
• The Licensing Sub-Committee was scheduled to discuss a new premises licence application for The Old Weighing Room, Bennetthorpe.

Planning Committee - Tuesday 29 April 2025

The Planning Committee meeting was scheduled, but no transcript or minutes are available.

Licensing Sub-Committee - Wednesday 30 April 2025

The Licensing Sub-Committee was scheduled to convene to discuss a new premises licence application for The Old Weighing Room, Bennetthorpe.

The applicant is seeking permission to provide:

• Supply of alcohol for consumption both on and off the premises: Monday to Sunday 08:00 to 00:00
• Late Night Refreshment: Sunday to Thursday 23:00 to 00:00, Friday and Saturday 23:00 to 00:30
• Live Music: Friday and Saturday 18:00 to 23:30
• Recorded Music: Monday to Sunday 08:00 to 00:00

The report pack includes a copy of the application form, which details the steps the applicant proposes to take to promote the four licensing objectives¹.

The report pack includes representations received from other persons, and from responsible authorities² including:

• South Yorkshire Police
• Public Health

The Sub-Committee is asked to consider the application and representations, and then take such steps as it considers necessary for the promotion of the licensing objectives. The options available to the sub-committee include:

• Granting the application subject to conditions.
• Excluding a licensable activity from the scope of the licence.
• Rejecting the application.

The report pack also includes the council's statement of licensing policy, and the statutory guidance issued under section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003³.

This application is similar to the one discussed at the Licensing Sub-Committee meeting on 16 April 2025, where Barnby Retail Limited applied to vary the premises licence for Morrison's Daily, High Street, Barnby Dun, to extend the hours for the sale of alcohol to 24 hours daily. In that case, representations were received from responsible authorities and a member of the public, which related to one or more of the four licensing objectives.

This week in Doncaster:

• The Licensing Sub-Committee was scheduled to discuss Hackney Carriage and Private Hire licences, with the public and press potentially excluded from parts of the meeting.
• The Audit Committee was scheduled to discuss ethical governance, contract procedure rules, risk management, audit plans, and the Annual Governance Statement.

Licensing Sub-Committee - Tuesday 22 April 2025

The Licensing Sub-Committee of Doncaster Council scheduled a meeting to address several licensing matters. The agenda included the consideration of a new Hackney Carriage & Private Hire Drivers Licence¹, as well as several reviews of existing licences. Due to the confidential nature of the information, the public and press may have been excluded from parts of the meeting.

Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing

The committee was scheduled to discuss several applications and reviews related to Hackney Carriage and Private Hire licences. These were:

• An application for a new Hackney Carriage & Private Hire Drivers Licence.
• A review of an existing Hackney Carriage & Private Hire Drivers Licence and an existing Private Hire Vehicle Licence.
• A further review of an existing Hackney Carriage & Private Hire Drivers Licence and an existing Private Hire Vehicle Licence.
• Another application for a new Hackney Carriage & Private Hire Drivers Licence.
• A final review of an existing Hackney Carriage & Private Hire Drivers Licence and an existing Private Hire Vehicle Licence.

The agenda noted that the public and press may be excluded from these discussions, as they involved information relating to an individual.

Audit Committee - Thursday 24 April 2025

Here is a summary of the scheduled discussions for the Audit Committee meeting of Doncaster Council on 24 April 2025.

The Audit Committee was scheduled to discuss a range of reports covering ethical governance, contract procedure rules, risk management, and audit plans. The meeting was also to include the review and approval of the Audit Committee's annual report and the draft Annual Governance Statement.

Here's a more detailed breakdown of the key topics:

Annual Governance and Internal Control

The committee was scheduled to review the updated Local Code of Corporate Governance and the draft Annual Governance Statement (AGS) for 2024-25. The draft Annual Governance Statement Report identifies five key areas requiring attention:

• Assurance over future financial sustainability of the council
• Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and inclusion, the impact on the Dedicated Schools Grant – High Needs Block & consequential financial risk
• Workforce recruitment and retention challenges
• Social care data quality
• Sufficiency of Doncaster children’s placement

The AGS is a statutory document that communicates the council's governance arrangements and how its controls manage risks. The report stated that the council had incorporated the Governance Addendum guidance from CIPFA/ Solace into the draft AGS.

External Audit

The committee was scheduled to discuss reports from the external auditor, Grant Thornton. This included the external auditor's plan for 2024/25, and their report on the audit findings (ISA 260) for the year ending 31 March 2024. The committee was also scheduled to consider Grant Thornton's Auditor's Annual Report 2023/24, which included the Value for Money (VfM) statement.

Internal Audit

The committee was scheduled to receive the Annual Report of the Head of Internal Audit for 2024/25, including an opinion on the adequacy and effectiveness of the council’s governance, risk management and control arrangements. The report noted that despite challenges and changes to work undertaken by the team, the Head of Internal Audit had confirmed that sufficient work had been carried out to be able to form such an opinion. The committee was also scheduled to discuss the Internal Audit Plan for 2025/26, which sets out the proposed audit activity for the coming year. The Internal Audit Plan 2526 cover report stated that the plan conforms to Global Internal Audit Standards for the UK Public Sector.

Counter Fraud

The committee was scheduled to review and approve the Counter Fraud Plan for 2025/26. The Counter Fraud Activity Report 2526 cover report stated that the plan has been constructed in line with the council’s Anti-Fraud, Bribery and Corruption Framework and the Fighting Fraud and Corruption Strategy 2020 for Local Government. The plan includes horizon scanning for new fraud risks, assessment of current fraud risks, information on counter fraud resource levels, and an assurance map mapping coverage of the plan and activities to the risks on the fraud risk register.

Contract Procedure Rules

The Audit Committee was scheduled to receive a report providing details of waivers and breaches to the council’s Contract Procedure Rules (CPRs) for the period 1 September 2024 to 28 February 2025. The report included details of waivers granted under the following categories:

• For goods, services or works which are either patented or unique that it is not possible to obtain competitive prices or are only available from one organisation.
• For the execution of works or services or the purchase of suppliers involving specialist or unique knowledge or skills
• A contract is already in place and where further work is required that could not have been identified when the contract was let or, it would not be value for money to run a competitive process or there is a need to allow safe exit or decommissioning of a contract. The award must be time limited.
• Reasons of urgency where it is otherwise not reasonably possible to comply with the appropriate CPR requirements (for example an emergency). Even in such circumstances officers must seek and obtain value for money wherever possible.
• The use of time-limited grant funding from an external body, where the time limitations will not allow a competitive process to be completed and where grant conditions allow this.

Ethical Governance

The committee was scheduled to receive the Monitoring Officer’s Annual Report, which covers matters relating to ethical governance. The report includes details of complaint handling activity in relation to allegations of Member misconduct, details of disclosures made under the council’s Whistleblowing Policy, and any reports under the Money Laundering Policy.

Audit Committee Annual Report

The committee was scheduled to consider and approve the Audit Committee Annual Report 2024/25. The report demonstrates how the committee has fulfilled its terms of reference and shares its achievements with the whole council.