The Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee of Doncaster Council met on Thursday 17 September 2026 to review the council's financial performance, housing services, and complaint handling. Key discussions included a projected £7 million revenue budget overspend, concerns about undelivered savings, and the performance of St Leger Homes of Doncaster (SLHD) in areas such as repairs and void management. The committee also reviewed the annual complaints and compliments report for 2025/26, noting an overall increase in complaints across the council and its partners.

City of Doncaster Council 2026-27 Quarter 1 Finance and Performance Improvement Report

The committee reviewed the council's financial position for the first quarter of the 2026-27 financial year. The report noted a projected revenue budget overspend of £7 million, attributed to demand-led pressures in Adult Social Care (£3.2 million) and shortfalls in savings targets, particularly within the Place directorate (£2.3 million). Treasury management and borrowing were reported to be within approved limits. However, a significant proportion of the approved savings programme remained undelivered or unsupported by clear implementation plans. Strategic financial risks, notably concerning Doncaster Sheffield Airport and the Dedicated Schools Grant deficit, were highlighted as areas requiring ongoing attention. The report also detailed progress on various council priorities, including economic growth, city centre regeneration, and environmental initiatives.

St Leger Homes of Doncaster (SLHD) Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and Tenant Satisfaction Measures (TSMs) update for Quarter 1

The committee received an update on SLHD's performance for the first quarter of 2026/27. Performance was strong in areas such as homelessness prevention, property re-letting, and first-time repair completion rates. However, concerns were raised regarding repairs completed within target timescales, with only 70.8% of emergency and non-emergency repairs completed within target, and non-emergency repairs at 62.4%. Complaint volumes were noted to be increasing, with recurring themes around delays, communication, and service delivery. Staff sickness levels were reported as increasing, posing a risk to the organisation's ability to improve performance in high-risk service areas. SLHD outlined recovery actions, including dynamic scheduling, improved workforce productivity, and the exploration of new IT systems to address these challenges.

Annual Complaint and Compliment Report 2025/26

The committee reviewed the annual report on complaints and compliments for 2025/26. A cumulative increase in Stage 1 complaints across the council and its partners was noted, reaching 2,853 compared to 2,441 in the previous year. This increase was attributed, in part, to the adoption of the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman's Complaint Handling Code and strengthened regulatory requirements from the Housing Ombudsman. City of Doncaster Council (CDC) saw a 17% increase in complaints, with the Place directorate receiving the highest volume, largely due to issues related to Highways and Waste and Recycling. St Leger Homes of Doncaster (SLHD) also experienced an 18% rise in complaints, primarily related to Property Services. Service improvements were detailed across various directorates, including enhancements to customer contact systems, SEND processing, and repairs delivery.

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

The committee considered the proposed Overview and Scrutiny Work Plan for 2026-27 and the Council's Forward Plan of Key Decisions. The work plan included reviews of highways maintenance, the Youth Justice Plan, and the Medium-Term Financial Strategy. The committee noted the Youth Justice Plan and made recommendations to further emphasise early intervention and to arrange an event for support providers. The Forward Plan outlined key decisions expected in the coming months, including updates to the Medium-Term Financial Strategy and the approval of the Doncaster Market Enhancement and Investment Strategy.

The committee discussed the Doncaster City Centre Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) Review, noting its renewal to address anti-social behaviour. A suggestion was made to amend the order to allow for lawful alcohol consumption in specific areas like the market square and Regents Park, which are currently not covered by exemptions.

Finally, the committee reviewed the St Leger Homes (SLHD) performance report, noting areas of strength in homelessness prevention and repairs completion rates, but also highlighting concerns regarding overall repairs timeliness, complaint volumes, and staff sickness. SLHD outlined plans to address these issues, including dynamic scheduling and workforce productivity improvements.