The Council meeting scheduled for Thursday, 22 January 2026, was set to cover a wide range of strategic and operational matters for Doncaster. Key discussions were planned around the refresh of the Doncaster Delivering Together (DDT) City Borough Strategy, the annual report from the Director of Public Health focusing on LGBTQ+ communities, and the proposed diary of meetings for the next two years. Additionally, the appointment of committee chairs and vice-chairs, and an update on the work of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee were on the agenda.

Doncaster Delivering Together City Borough Strategy Refresh

A significant item on the agenda was the proposed refresh of the Doncaster Delivering Together (DDT) City Borough Strategy for 2026-2030. This strategy, which forms part of the council's constitution, outlines a plan for all of Doncaster's stakeholders, including residents, community groups, businesses, and organisations, to work towards making Doncaster a better place to live and work. The refresh aims to reflect the changes in the local, national, and international landscape since the strategy's initial launch in 2021, taking into account factors such as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, cost-of-living pressures, and the city's new status. The report detailed the extensive engagement process undertaken to inform the refresh, including surveys, community conversations, and focus groups, and outlined the proposed framework for the updated strategy, which continues to focus on the central mission of 'Thriving People, Places and Planet' through six interconnected Wellbeing Goals and eight key priorities. The report recommended that the Council approve the draft City Borough Strategy, noting that its content would inform the Council's Corporate Plan.

2025 Director of Public Health Annual Report

The meeting was scheduled to receive the 2025 Director of Public Health Annual Report for Doncaster, titled 'Understanding the Health and Wellbeing Experiences and Needs of Doncaster's LGBTQ+ People and Communities'. This report, a statutory requirement for Directors of Public Health, provides an in-depth insight into the health and wellbeing of the LGBTQ+ community in Doncaster. It highlights that LGBTQ+ individuals can face increased risks of social exclusion and poorer health outcomes due to factors such as discrimination, stigma, and systemic barriers. The report detailed the methodology used to gather information, including a health needs assessment, story circles, and the collation of examples of service support. It also reflected on how Doncaster's Health and Wellbeing Strategy principles, such as community-centred approaches, intersectionality, and health equity in all policies, support the health and wellbeing of these communities. The report included recommendations focused on improving data collection, promoting relational and trauma-informed working practices, and creating safe and inclusive communities beyond Pride Month.

Proposed Diary of Meetings 2026-2028

The Council was asked to consider and comment on a provisional Diary of Meetings for the 2026/27 and 2027/28 Municipal Years. Agreeing these dates in advance provides members and officers with advance notification of meetings and key dates, aiding in the organisation of time and potentially encouraging greater public engagement in the democratic process. The proposed diary aimed to minimise meetings during peak holiday periods and maintained the frequency of Full Council and statutory committee meetings.

Appointment of Chairs and Vice-Chairs of Committees

The meeting was scheduled to address the deferred matter of appointing Chairs and Vice-Chairs to various committees. Following recent changes to committee memberships, nominations were sought for positions including the Chair of the Audit Committee, Chair of the Elections and Democratic Structures Committee, Vice-Chair of the Chief Officers Appointments Committee, and Chair of the Employee Relations Disputes Resolution Committee. The report detailed nominations received from political groups and outlined the process for any further nominations and subsequent voting if required.

Overview and Scrutiny Update – May to December 2025

An update on the work undertaken by the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee (OSMC) and the four standing Overview and Scrutiny Panels between May and December 2025 was presented. This report summarised key activities, including policy review, performance monitoring, and pre-decision scrutiny. The work of the OSMC and Panels was aligned with the council's corporate goals, the Doncaster Delivering Together themes, and the Great '8' priorities. Specific areas of focus included the review of statutory plans such as the Youth Justice Statutory Plan and the Community Safety Strategy, quarterly performance and financial management, the annual complaints and compliments report, the Doncaster Delivering Together Borough Strategy refresh, and the South Yorkshire Airport City project. The update also detailed the activities of the Children and Young People's Panel, Regeneration and Housing Panel, Health and Adult Social Care Panel, and the Community and Environment Scrutiny Panel.

Motions

Two motions were scheduled for consideration:

IVF and South Yorkshire Integrated Care Board Motion

This motion, proposed by Councillor Gemma Cobby and seconded by Councillor Sue Farmer, addressed the decision by the South Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (SYICB) to reduce the number of IVF cycles offered from two to one for residents in Doncaster and wider South Yorkshire. The motion noted the significant public consultation response opposing this decision, the potential negative impact on vulnerable groups, and the unanimous opposition from Doncaster and Sheffield councils, as well as local MPs and healthwatch organisations. It also referenced NICE recommendations for IVF cycles and the World Health Organisation's definition of infertility. The motion proposed that the Council resolve to request letters from the Mayor and Director of Public Health to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care for further funding and a national review of ICBs, and to the SYICB requesting a public response to the impact assessment and a review of fertility services.

Motion: Supporting Local Farmers, Food Security, Sustainable Land Use and Plan-Led Development in Doncaster

Proposed by Councillor Rachel Reed and seconded by Councillor Jason Charity, this motion aimed to affirm the Council's support for local farmers, food security, sustainable land use, and plan-led development. It acknowledged Doncaster's agricultural heritage, the pressures faced by UK farmers, and the importance of food security. The motion highlighted the need to balance housing delivery with the protection of agricultural land and the use of brownfield sites. It also recognised the value of integrated land use approaches and the role of farmers as essential workers. The proposed resolutions included publicly affirming support for Doncaster's farmers, supporting local producers through council procurement, recognising food security and sustainable land use as material considerations in planning, and lobbying the government for policies that support farming livelihoods and agricultural land protection.

Questions from the Public and Elected Members

A significant portion of the agenda was dedicated to questions from the public and elected members.

Questions from the public were directed to Mayor Ros Jones and included:

• Mr Daniel Pye inquiring about the impact of the suspension of the UK & US tech deal on Doncaster.
• Mr Tim Brown questioning the compatibility of the Mayor's statement I do not see colour with public life principles, the Council's Constitution, and the Equality Act 2010.
• Mr Peter Cotterill asking about potential taxpayer contributions to Doncaster Sheffield Airport (DSA) during predicted loss-making years, drawing parallels with Teeside Airport.
• Mr Wai Ming Yau requesting a detailed, dated timeline for promised deliverables for DSA in 2026, including governance appointments, airspace approval, and route launches.

Questions from elected members to the Executive and Cabinet Members covered a range of topics:

• To Mayor Ros Jones:
  • Councillor Nick Allen on support for local pubs and the impact of business rate policy changes.
  • Councillor Guy Aston inquiring about the total spend on agency staffing over the last three financial years due to pay parity issues.
  • Councillor Cynthia Ransome questioning why the public gallery was not open for a specific Planning Committee item concerning a solar farm.
  • Councillor Joan Briggs seeking an update on the demolition of Edlington Leisure Centre and the construction of the new facility.
  • Councillor Jane Cox asking for an explanation regarding the Mayor's public statements on DSA airspace approval contradicting CAA advice.
  • Councillor Lee Sammut raising concerns about potential night flights over homes in Rossington, Bawtry, and Austerfield due to the reopening of DSA.
  • Councillor Jason Charity inquiring about decisions made regarding the auction sale of the Doncaster Business Innovation Centre and any financial exposure.
  • Councillor Craig Ward asking why contractual provisions linking council control of DSA to Peel's housing developments were not disclosed prior to the May 2025 mayoral election.
• To Councillor Sue Farmer, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Families:
  • Councillor Isaiah John Reasbeck asking about measures to improve school readiness in areas with low Early Years Foundation Stage outcomes.
  • Councillor Gerald Squire inquiring about steps being taken to reduce SEND budget pressures.
  • Amy Alexis-Walker (via Councillor Sue Farmer) asking about plans to address schools denying parents of children with SEN access to referrals and EHCPs.
  • Councillor Jane Kidd seeking reassurance about the delivery of a new Youth Hub in Wheatley.
• To Councillor James Church, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, Planning and Public Health:
  • Councillor Bob Anderson asking about the possibility of rolling out the £1 swim scheme across Doncaster.
  • Councillor Majid Khan inquiring about the progress of the Doncaster Market Enhancement Strategy and planned investment.
  • Councillor Rob Dennis asking about the market's opening days and encouraging year-round shopping.
• To Deputy Mayor, Councillor Glyn Jones, Cabinet Member for Environment, Housing and Safer Communities:
  • Councillor Maria Hollingworth asking if the Council would raise concerns with SYMCA regarding bus service rerouting affecting residents in Sandy Fields View, Carcroft.
  • Councillor Chris Kidger inquiring about the timeframe for achieving pay parity for council employees with other South Yorkshire authorities.
  • Councillor Oliver Bloor asking if the Council would offer free parking to support local businesses during the Christmas period.
  • Councillor Howard Rimmer asking about steps to address persistent illegal parking in the City Centre East.
  • Councillor Bob Anderson asking what more can be done to tackle illegal vape and counterfeit cigarette sales.
• Questions without notice were also scheduled to be put to the Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones, and the Deputy Mayor, Councillor Glyn Jones.

For Information and Not Endorsement

The meeting was also scheduled to receive minutes from the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority Board, the South Yorkshire Pensions Authority, and the Team Doncaster Executive.