The Doncaster Council meeting on 18 September 2025 included discussion of a motion of no confidence in Mayor Ros Jones, which was not passed, as well as the approval of the Youth Justice Plan 2025/26 and noting the Health and Wellbeing Board's Annual Report 2024/25. Councillors also addressed public questions about flags on lampposts, the closure of Warmsworth Library, and IVF treatment availability.

Here's a breakdown of the key topics:

• Motions

  • Motion of No Confidence in the Mayor

    A motion of no confidence in Mayor Ros Jones was put forward by Councillor Guy Aston, Reform Group Leader, and seconded by Councillor Rachel Reed. The motion cited concerns over the delayed reopening of Doncaster Sheffield Airport and alleged misleading pledges made to the public. The motion stated:

    That the public are entitled to honest and accurate commitments from those seeking office. That the Mayor's repeated pledges on Doncaster Sheffield Airport have not been delivered and have misled the public as to the timescales and certainty of reopening.

    The motion was not carried.

  • Solar Panel Installations

    Councillor Guy Aston also proposed a motion, seconded by Councillor Rachel Reed, advocating for increased use of renewable energy sources, specifically solar panels, while preserving agricultural land. The motion suggested prioritising solar panel installation on rooftops and car parks and encouraging the use of brownfield land for large-scale solar farms. The council resolved to adopt a political stance in favour of small, discrete solar panel installations, supporting their installation on rooftops of commercial, residential, and public buildings and car parks through the development of solar canopies.

  • IVF Cycles

    Councillor Gemma Cobby, seconded by Councillor Sue Farmer, proposed a motion concerning the number of IVF cycles offered by the South Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (SYICB). The motion expressed concern over the SYICB's proposal to reduce the number of IVF cycles available to residents of South Yorkshire to just one, and resolved to instruct the Director of Public Health and relevant cabinet member to write to SYICB to oppose the proposal and request that the number of IVF cycles be aligned with NICE recommendations[^1]. [^1]: The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) provides national guidance and advice to improve health and social care.

• Public Questions

  • Flags on Lampposts

    Mr Doug Wright asked what the Mayor would do to stop St George's flags and Union Jacks being put up on Doncaster lampposts.

  • Warmsworth Library

    Mrs Georgina Mullis raised concerns about a lack of consultation regarding the proposed closure/relocation of Warmsworth Library, noting a petition signed by over 1,000 people. She asked what would happen to the defibrillator, access to 'warm/cool space', numerous social activities and safe space for children/adults currently provided by volunteers.

  • IVF Treatment

    Ms Ann-louise Bayley asked if Doncaster Council would oppose the SYICB proposal to reduce the number of IVF cycles offered, citing concerns about the impact on mental health and success rates.

  • Corn Exchange Retail Units

    Mr Christopher Nowak questioned why five retail units in Doncaster's Corn Exchange were still empty after refurbishment, despite incentives being offered to attract traders.

• Bentley Ward By-Election Result

  The Council noted the results of the Local Government By-Election for the Bentley Ward held on 21 August 2025, where Isaiah-John Reasbeck (Reform UK) was duly elected.

• Youth Justice Plan 2025/26

  The Council considered and supported the Youth Justice Plan 2025/26. The plan details the work of the Youth Justice Service (YJS) in Doncaster, aiming to prevent offending and re-offending by young people. Key priorities include diverting children from the criminal justice system, reducing re-offending rates, and minimising the use of custody. The plan also addresses issues such as child criminal exploitation and harmful sexual behaviour.

• Health and Wellbeing Board's Annual Report 2024/25

  The Council received the Doncaster Health and Wellbeing Board's Annual Report 2024/25. The report highlights the board's progress in implementing the revised Health and Wellbeing Strategy, focusing on improving the experience of ageing, closing the gap in women's and child health, and creating healthy places to live, grow, and play. The report also outlines key actions for 2025/26, including approving Doncaster's Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment and strengthening collaboration across the health system.

• Flag Policy

  The Council considered a report regarding the flag policy. The Mayor, Ros Jones, confirmed that she would not be amending the policy to accommodate proposed changes. The Mayor stated that the proposal was restrictive and if implemented would inhibit communities and the Council in recognising local or national achievements, instilling civic pride and celebrating events and activities that are important to all communities.

• Questions to the Executive

  • Councillor Nick Allen asked about anti-social behaviour at Lakeside, particularly regarding speeding cars, and requested a separate Public Space Protection Order for the area.
  • Councillor Symeon Waller sought assurances that burial contracts agreed with Hatfield Town Council would be honoured by Doncaster Council if the Town Council were to be taken under its control, and that burial fees would not rise.
  • Councillor Jane Cox requested assurance that a full and detailed health impact assessment would be conducted ahead of any decision to reopen Doncaster Sheffield Airport, and that the findings would be published.
  • Councillor Rachel Reed raised concerns about the cumulative impact of large HMOs and asked if the Council would consider strengthening planning controls to address the rising number of HMOs across Doncaster.
  • Councillor Ioan-Emanuel Craciun asked if the Council would consider introducing a Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) to ensure residents impacted by developments have a voice in allocating funds from new developments.
  • Councillor Joan Briggs suggested reviewing the budget allocation to better align with community feedback and ensure that road safety measures are both effective and publicly supported by considering the possibility of re-allocating some of its funding towards increasing the number of pedestrian crossings.
  • Councillor Glyn Whiting asked for the total estimated cost of delivering the Council's target of achieving net zero emissions by 2040, especially in relation to retrofitting the Council's housing stock.
  • Councillor Steven Barnett questioned the evidence and consultation process that led to the decision to close Warmsworth Library, and how this aligns with the Council's stated commitments to community wellbeing, social inclusion, and lifelong learning.
  • Councillor Gerald Squire asked how many individual asylum seekers are currently accommodated in hotels and in Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) within the Doncaster area.
  • Councillor Guy Aston asked what steps were being taken by the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee to strengthen the Overview and Scrutiny processes in Doncaster to improve good governance, promote transparency, hold the Mayor, Cabinet and other decision makers to account publicly and enable Members to effectively contribute to policy development and decision making.
  • Councillor Jason Charity asked what steps were being taken by Overview and Scrutiny to ensure there is effective transparency and oversight of decision making to ensure Doncaster Sheffield Airport is re-opened as a fully operational, commercial and economically viable airport, and there is effective consideration of the governance, public funding arrangements, and wider regional impacts.