The Council of Doncaster Council convened for its annual meeting to address a number of key items, including the election of the Chair and Vice-Chair, and the appointment of members to various committees and outside bodies. The meeting also included a review of committee terms of reference, and a discussion of member development and Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks for councillors.

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 of Council, was to invite nominations for the position of Chair of Council for 2025/2026. The report pack stated that nominations would be seconded and votes taken, with the vote recorded by Governance Officers. After the election of the Chair, the new Chair was to then ask for nominations for the Vice-Chair of Council, following the same procedure.

Election Results

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, there were 12 candidates for the Mayoral Election and 216 candidates across the 21 wards. The Council - Election Results - Appendix A provides a breakdown of statistics for postal vote and polling station turnout by ward.

Composition of the Executive

Mayor Ros Jones was scheduled to notify the council of the composition of the Executive and the Elected Mayor's Scheme of Delegations. According to the Exec Scheme of Delegations - AGM 230525 report FINAL report, the Executive Procedure Rules require the Elected Mayor to inform the council of 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. The report pack stated that work was ongoing in preparing a new Scheme of Delegations, and that the Mayor would verbally update councillors at the meeting.

Council Appointed Committees

The council was scheduled to consider proposed revisions to the terms of reference of committees and sub-committees. According to the Terms of Reference Report, revisions were proposed to the terms of reference of the Health and Well Being Board, the Audit Committee, and the Planning Committee.

The Appendix - Terms Ref 25 to 26 report stated that the Health and Wellbeing Board’s terms of reference were reviewed and updated to incorporate guidance from the Local Government Association and reflect the new Health and Wellbeing Strategy for Doncaster. The Audit Committee’s terms of reference were scheduled to have a technical change due to the new Global Internal Audit Standards for the UK Public Sector. The Planning Committee's terms of reference were scheduled to have a small amendment, removing the reference to the Local Development Framework and referring solely to Planning Policy.

Allocation of Seats on Committees

The council was scheduled to review the proportionality and allocation of seats on committees and sub-committees. According to the Allocation of Seats 2025 - Final report, the allocation of seats on committees and sub-committees must be in accordance with the principles set out in the Local Government and Housing Act 1989. The report pack stated that representation on committees and sub-committees must, so far as possible, be proportional to the number of members any group has on the council as a whole.

Appointment of Chairs and Vice-Chairs

The council was scheduled to appoint chairs and vice-chairs of committees and sub-committees. According to the Appointment of Chairs Vice Chairs 2025-2026 final report, appointments are made to the positions of chair and vice-chair of committees and sub-committees of the council, including overview and scrutiny panels, for the ensuing municipal year.

Appointments to Outside Bodies

The council was scheduled to determine the appointments to outside bodies for the 2025/26 municipal year. According to the Council Appointments to Outside Bodies 202526 FINAL report, these appointments help to ensure that the council’s views are represented to local and national groups and, where the representative has voting rights, that the council is involved in any decisions that may affect the people of Doncaster. The APPENDIX A - Outside Bodies Council Appointments 2025-26 FINAL report details the outside bodies where appointments are required to be made at the meeting.

Diary of Meetings

The council was scheduled to approve a schedule of meetings for the 2025/26 and 2026/27 municipal years. According to the Diary of Meetings report, approving an advanced calendar of meetings for the municipal year and publishing the Forward Plan of key decisions provides an opportunity for citizens of the borough to engage in the democratic process. The Appendix A - Council Diary 2025-2027 report contains the proposed diary of meetings for the 2025/26 and 2026/27 municipal years.

Member Development Programme

The council was scheduled to consider the Member Development Programme for 2025 – 2029. According to the Member Development 2025 report, the programme is designed to ensure councillors are fully aware of their roles and responsibilities as elected members, understand council processes, how services are delivered and their opportunities for personal development moving forward.

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Checks

The council was scheduled to discuss Disclosure and Barring Checks (DBS) for elected members. According to the Council 230525 DBS checks elected members FINAL report, there is currently no legal or statutory requirement for elected members to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Check (DBS). The report pack stated that the council was being asked to agree to continue with City of Council’s current position on enhanced Disclosure and Barring Checks for specified elected members and to endorse the suggestion that all remaining elected members to voluntarily obtain a basic level check.