dONCasTER aNNOUNCEs bUdGET

Mayor Ros Jones has launched her draft budget proposals for 2023/24 alongside the publishing of the council’s draft Corporate Plan. The documents outline how the council plans to deliver services over the coming year, support local people and businesses through the cost of living challenges and achieve Doncaster’s ambitions as a new city. The proposals seek to protect the city’s most vulnerable, support continued investment in the city and provide resources to boost opportunities for all. This budget provides sufficient resources to enable front line services to continue to deliver at their current service levels despite less funding in real terms, increased service pressures and rising inflation. It also includes £7.5m additional targeted funding for Adult Social Care. In light of the pressures and future risks, a Council Tax increase of 1.99% is being proposed alongside a further 2% increase through the Government’s Adult Social Care precept

(3.99% in total). The council has chosen not to increase by the maximum 5% allowable, whilst the additional funding generated is much needed, this has to be balanced against the impact on our residents facing the current cost of living challenges. To offset the impact of this and to help support those residents who are struggling, the Local Council Tax Reduction scheme (LCTS) remains in place. In addition, the Council Tax Support Fund grant of £0.6m will be used to provide a £25 reduction to the council tax liabilities of working age and pension age council tax payers who are in receipt of benefits. Doncaster will continue to have the lowest council tax in South Yorkshire. The Corporate Plan 2023/2024 sets out the council’s priorities and how they contribute to the long term partnership strategy, Doncaster Delivering Together as we embark on a new era as a city. Mayor Ros Jones said: “As the cost of living crisis continues, our key priority is to support the people of Doncaster through these difficult times and reduce the impact of increasing costs on daily life wherever we can. Of course, as a local authority we too are not immune from the challenges of the current economic climate. While operating in a volatile and uncertain environment, with no certainty from government about funding beyond the next year, it is hard to plan ahead. We are a financially well managed council and I will do whatever I can to continue to lessen the impacts of uncertainty and focus on supporting Doncaster’s priorities outlined in the Corporate

Councillor Mazher

Iqbal, Co-Chair of the Transport, Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee, said: “We recognise the need and desire to reinstate Fargate as a vibrant and social part of the city centre and the ReNew project is one of the many ways we hope to achieve this. With so many exciting businesses in the city, some just starting out and others keen to expand, it is critical we work with them to inject new life into the areaencouraging them to be creative in their plans and use this opportunity to try something new, expand or move to a central location. We are looking for projects that will have a longlasting positive impact on the city centre and will benefit from the regeneration taking place.”

Those interested in applying must complete an expression of interest form. These must be sent to citycentre. management@sheffield. gov.uk by midnight on 5 March 2023.

Morningside Cattery

Your cat’s

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and Doncaster Delivering Together.”

Mayor Jones added:

“The transformation and regeneration of our city and towns is also key to a brighter future and I want our places, communities and individuals to flourish – investment is key to making that possible. I ask that the residents and businesses of Doncaster buy local wherever possible, support our markets and our high streets to create a strong and vibrant local economy. We will work alongside Team Doncaster partners to mitigate the effects of rising inflation to ensure minimal impact on our city’s regeneration.”

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Morningside Cattery is a Sheffield Cattery, based in Ecclesfield. We aim to be the home away from home for your four-legged friend. Whether they’re coming for a day, night or extended stay, we promise they’ll have the best care possible 19 Chapeltown

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