SUBMISSION TO THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOUNDARY COMMISSION FOR BY BOROUGH COUNCIL PROPOSED NEW WARD BOUNDARIES TOGETHER WITH TWO FURTHER SUBMISSIONS FROM THE CONSERVATIVE GROUP AND

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT MEMBERS RESPECTIVELY

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Submission 1

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Submission 1 Ward Boundary Working

Ward Map No. of Cllrs Electorate Electorate N Ref Proposed 19 Per Cllr Variance Broad Area/Name Comment 1 a 3 12362 4120.7 -2.8% & Denaby Passes Threshold 2 b 3 13101 4367.0 3.0% & Passes Threshold 3 c 1 4512 4512.0 6.5% Passes Threshold 4 d 3 12924 4308.0 1.7% & Passes Threshold 5 e 3 12861 4287.0 1.2% Passes Threshold 6 f 3 12048 4016.0 -5.2% Hatfield Passes Threshold 7 g 2 9469 4734.5 11.7% Thorne Over threshold (distinct community) 8 h 2 8612 4306.0 1.6% Sprotbrough & Barnburghiii Passes Threshold 9 i 3 11833 3944.3 -6.9% Grangei Passes Threshold 10 j 3 12161 4053.7 -4.3% Bentleyiv Passes Threshold 11 k 3 11684 3894.7 -8.1% Bessacarr Passes Threshold 12 l 3 11232 3744.0 -11.7% Under threshold (distinct community) 13 m 3 12761 4253.7 0.4% Mexborough & Dearneiii Passes Threshold 14 n 3 12141 4047.0 -4.5% Barnsdalei Passes Threshold 15 o 3 11866 3955.3 -6.7% , & Passes Threshold 16 p 3 13605 4535.0 7.0% Passes Threshold 17 q 3 13918 4639.3 9.5% Townii Passes Threshold 18 r 3 13885 4628.3 9.2% Greater Wheatleyii Passes Threshold 19 s 2 8574 4287.0 1.2% Roman Ridgeiv Passes Threshold 20 t 2 9291 4645.5 9.6% Stainforth & Moorends Passes Threshold 54 228840 NOTES i OD Split 659 into ward 9 and 860 into ward 14 * OE Split 590 into ward 14 and 218 into ward 9 ii DA Split 989 into ward 17 and 1324 into Ward 18 iii TB Split 857 Into ward 8 and 747 in ward 13 iv MC Split 657 into ward 10 and 1175 into ward 19

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1. Conisbrough & Denaby

Map reference: A Number of Councillors proposed: 3 Electorate forecast to 2019: 12,362 Electorate variance: -2.8%

This ward contains three communities that are all attached and bounded on the North side by the River Don; Conisbrough, Denaby Main and Old Denaby. This historic ward has been enlarged to incorporate part of Conisbrough village that was moved into an adjacent ward in the last boundary change.

The community ties are strong. All schools feed into the de Warenne Academy in Conisbrough and most residents use GP and health facilities at one of the two health centres located in the ward.

This is a ward with natural and well defined boundaries.

2. Edlington & Warmsworth

Map reference: B Number of Councillors proposed: 3 Electorate forecast to 2019: 13,101 Electorate variance: 3.0%

This ward is an enlargement of the existing Edlington & Warmsworth ward. Part of Conisbrough has been removed, as described above. Warmsworth is a well- defined parish but forms part of a continuum with Edlington. Large sections of Warmsworth lie off Edlington Lane, the principal road that runs through both communities. The communities share a cemetery, fire station, a health centre, and a secondary school.

At the Southern end of Edlington, and within the Edlington town council area lies Old Edlington; a small community that shares schools, health and shops with Edlington. Edlington description, please add:

The villages to the south of Edlington form a natural hinterland. Edlington village provides both the most direct access to Doncaster from and Micklebring, and the most immediate access to supermarkets, health centres and libraries. Clifton parish is closely connected to Edlington.

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Wadworth, and the Woodfield Plantation area form a reasonable addition to this ward, and for being grouped together in the same ward. provides the natural primary school for all three communities. The majority of children from the Woodfield Plantation attend Wadworth primary, some access the Loversall nursery and all access the Tesco adjacent to Woodfield Plantation. Indeed, Woodfield Plantation was marketed as "Upper Loversall", despite a geographical connection to Balby. The secondary pupils from these communities access a range of schools including Sir Thomas Wharton Community College, Edlington. With their own parish councils and histories, neither Wadworth nor Loversall are natural partners of either Rossington or Tickhill.

3. Tickhill

Map reference: C Number of Councillors proposed: 1 Electorate forecast to 2019: 4512 Electorate variance: 6.5%

This ward is defined by the community of Tickhill, which dates back to Norman times (the Wick Hill). The motte and walls of Tickhill castle stand to this day. Tickhill is a well-defined, self-sufficient market town, with its own parish council serving the town and a small parish hinterland.

The community is self-contained with library, GPs, nurseries, and primary schools and a range of shops all available within the town. Sitting on the southern edge of the borough, Tickhill is well-suited to be single member ward.

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4. Rossington & Bawtry

Map reference: D Number of Councillors proposed: 3 Electorate forecast to 2019: 12,924 Electorate variance: 1.7%

Rossington, a former mining village and self-contained parish has a strong local identity; and strong social and community bonds. Stretching beyond its south eastern axis down the Great North Road (Bawtry Road), its rural estates meet the Northern Racing College and the woodlands that surround Bawtry. Both Rossington and Bawtry are divided by the East Coast railway line.

Rossington is 20% too large to be a two member ward. It is not easily divided; and lying in the south east of the borough, Bawtry forms a suitable partner, whilst recognising that the town of Bawtry, a well-defined market town is culturally different from Rossington.

5. Finningley

Map reference: E Number of Councillors proposed: 3 Electorate forecast to 2019: 12,861 Electorate variance: 1.2%

This ward includes the villages that surround Robin Hood Airport, each with their own parish council, and the southern half of Bessacarr Cantley which is a large and extensive suburb. Where Bessacarr starts, and Cantley ends, are difficult to define in precise terms. Across Bessacarr Cantley, the current ward boundary of Church Lane and Cantley Lane are useful well-defined boundaries.

The villages that reach beyond Cantley Lane: Branton, , and Finningley, all represent an eastern corridor to the edge of the borough and share local bus routes and amenities.

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6. Hatfield

Map reference: F Number of Councillors proposed: 3 Electorate forecast to 2019: 12,048 Electorate variance: -5.2%

This expansion of Hatfield and Dunscroft reassembles all of the elements of Hatfield parish; a previous ward pattern. Lindholme village (a former prison estate) and Hatfield Woodhouse are linked by the A614, with no other natural affinities. At its north eastern corner Hatfield Woodhouse merges into Hatfield, which in turn is contiguous with Dunscroft.

This proposed ward has a secondary school, health centre and library shared by all of these communities. The Doncaster-Scunthorpe railway line forms a strong and well established boundary line with wards to the north of Dunscroft and Hatfield.

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7. Thorne

Map reference: G Number of Councillors proposed: 2 Electorate forecast to 2019: 9,469 Electorate variance: 11.7%

Whilst Thorne, a historic market town at the north eastern corner of Doncaster often relates more easily to areas of east such as Goole, it is a self- contained town with a strong and vibrant centre, shared services and schools.

Whilst it is only part of the current parish area; Thorne is mentioned in the Domesday Book; dates back to AD700; retains the earthwork remains from its Norman castle; and boasts a 12th century church. The market town, has long associations with farming and, in the 20th century, coal mining and until recent decades boat building.

In the present day, with supermarkets, health centre and library all in the town centre, Thorne is a self-sufficient town with a strong independent identity. Given its location, history and identity, we believe the interests of this community are best served with their own councillors, without the need to share representatives with any neighbouring villages or hamlets. Whilst the ward is slightly too big to be a perfect size for two members, we recognise that the strong town identify of Thorne and self- contained community, makes for the best and most efficient representation for this community. We would, therefore, advance Thorne as an exceptional but strong case for two member representation.

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8. Sprotbrough &

Map reference: H Number of Councillors proposed: 2 Electorate forecast to 2019: 8,612 Electorate variance: 1.6%

The proposed ward includes the defined settlements of Sprotbrough, Barnburgh, Cadeby and . It includes majority of the Sprotbrough and Parish Council area.

These communities cover a number of rural and suburban areas, from Cusworth and Newton, through Sprotbrough Village, High Melton, Cadeby, and ending in the village of Barnburgh. Each settlement has a common origin as a historic village in the former Doncaster , but during the last century substantial suburban settlements have developed in Cusworth, Newton, and Barnburgh.

The communities are served by communication networks that run from Barnsley Borough through to Doncaster Town Centre. They share facilities which include schools, GPs and a Community Run Library Service.

While the proposed ward has a wider geographic spread than other wards the two members would be able to work with organisations such as the parish councils and meetings that well established in this part of the Borough. Each area has a distinct identity with requisite meeting places for the members to communicate with electors for the purposes of casework and consultation. The communication network outlined above would allow two members to be a presence in the communities while fulfilling their corporate role of contributing to the policy making in the Authority.

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9. Brodsworth Grange

Map reference: I Number of Councillors proposed: 3 Electorate forecast to 2019: 11,833 Electorate variance: -6.9%

The proposed ward includes the urban settlements of Adwick-le-Street, , Highfields, and Woodlands, along with smaller western rural settlements including the historic Brodsworth Village.

The rural communities span from Brodsworth & Pickburn southward including the villages along the A635, and northward including the villages along the A638.

The urban parts of the proposed ward are connected to the rural parts through the Woodlands area which, historically, was developed on the Brodsworth estate following the establishment of . The communities of Highfields, Woodlands and Adwick grew through housing built by the colliery and then latterly by the former Urban District Council. The community of Carcroft, which neighbours Adwick, was developed along similar lines on the back of the development of .

The communities share a number of facilities including health and educational institutions, and the urban parts of the proposed ward serve as the most convenient centre where the rural communities can access public and commercial services.

While the proposed ward has wide geographic spread the communication networks would allow the three councillors to serve the large urban area and the smaller rural communities in the western swathe of the Borough. The established parish councils and meetings in the rural areas would give the members serving the ward the opportunity to work with the smaller rural communities.

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10. Bentley

Map reference: J Number of Councillors proposed: 3 Electorate forecast to 2019: 12,161 Electorate variance: -4.3%

The proposed Bentley ward includes the town of Bentley and the nearby communities of Almholme, , Shaftholme, Toll Bar, and York Road.

Bentley is a large principal settlement just north of Doncaster Town Centre with its own unique identity, and is well served by local commercial and public sector amenities.

The proposed ward is mainly of urban character with a small rural hinterland. The communities of Toll Bar and Arksey have a long association with the town of Bentley and were part of the formal Urban District Council that previously served the area.

The proposed ward would also include what can be broadly described as the York Road area which covers the pre-war housing estates near the Scawthorpe area divided by the course of the Swaithe Dyke. This would be facilitated by the polling district MC being separated through the Swaithe Dyke from York Road through to where the Trans Pennine Trail meets Pipeering Lane. This would also bring the housing on the former John Carr industrial site into the ward which shares its services with the wider Bentley area.

The proposed ward also includes a small part of the Sprotbrough & Cusworth Parish Council area, which directly adjoins the York Road area, and has in the past decade seen housing developments along the point where the parish meets the Saint Mary’s roundabout. The extension of the ward to the roundabout also includes the Willowbridge caravan site and the small Town End community before St Mary’s Bridge, which has a long association with the Yarborough Terrace part of the current Bentley Ward.

The ward has excellent communication network with a number of meeting points for the three members to facilitate casework and community consultation, and allow them time to take part in the corporate governance of the Authority.

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Map showing Swaithe Dyke

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11. Bessacarr

Map reference: K Number of Councillors proposed: 3 Electorate forecast to 2019: 11,684 Electorate variance: -8.1%

This is an established ward with an electorate within the specified range. There is no proposal to change its boundaries.

12. Armthorpe

Map reference: L Number of Councillors proposed: 3 Electorate forecast to 2019: 11,232 Electorate variance: -11.7%

Armthorpe is a community which has a strong identity and long history, also mentioned in the Domesday Book (listed as Ernulfestorp). It is a well-defined parish area.

Surrounded completely by countryside, woodland and a golf course, it touches no other community, except for a long lane that leads to Old Cantley. A former farming community, there was rapid growth when opened. It is recognised as a former mining community, unlike any neighbouring communities. It has a self-contained shopping area, social life and an extensive miner’s welfare park.

Although this community is slightly below the threshold for a 3 member ward, we believe it represents the most effective representation to allow it to elect its own councillors. Through the Local Development Framework, Armthorpe is legally required to provide for up to a further 900+ homes. The village has land ready for considerable housing expansion in the coming decade; and we believe there is no better alternative arrangement for this ward.

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13. Mexborough & Dearne

Map reference: M Number of Councillors proposed: 3 Electorate forecast to 2019: 12,761 Electorate variance: 0.4%

The proposed ward includes the communities of Mexborough, Adwick-on- Dearne and Harlington in the Dearne Valley. The Harlington part of the ward can be facilitated by dividing polling district TB along the 2012 community profile Doncaster Together http://www.doncastertogether.org.uk/Ima ges/Harlington_tcm33-99086.pdf

The three communities in the proposed ward are geographically close with well- established communication networks. The area shares a number of facilities with Mexborough acting as the principal transport hub for the Dearne Valley. The town provides GPs, a hospital, a Jobcentre and education services for the surrounding area, along with a large town centre with a substantial market.

The proposed ward is a mixture of a large urban settlement with two nearby rural settlements. The communications network would allow the three members to have contact for casework and consultation with electors, and the necessary time to participate in the wider strategic governance of the authority.

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14. Barnsdale

Map reference: N Number of Councillors proposed: 3 Electorate forecast to 2019: 12,141 Electorate variance: -4.5%

The proposed ward includes the communities of , , Campsall, Fenwick, Moss, Norton, Owston, Thorpe-in-Balne, , and Sutton. These are a mixture of former mining communities and rural communities in the northern swathe of Doncaster Borough, east of the A1 (M).

The proposed ward centres on the former mining town of Askern and the immediate parished areas. There are strong links with the town as it provides access to educational and medical facilities for the smaller settlements and access to Doncaster Town Centre by the A19. The ward also includes the areas of Owston and Burghwallis which connects the ward to the Skellow area in the southern part of the proposed pattern.

The ward also includes the areas of Owston and Burghwallis which connects the ward to the Skellow area in the southern part of the proposed pattern. This can be facilitated by dividing the polling districts OD and OE to include the B1220 Skellow Road and the adjoining streets, as well as Crossfield Lane.

While the proposed ward has wide geographic spread the communication networks would allow the three councillors to serve the diverse communities in the northern swathe of the Borough. The established parish councils and meetings in the rural areas would give the members serving the ward the opportunity to work with the smaller rural communities, and the non-parished area has the requisite meeting points for the three members to meet and work with the community.

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15. Kirk Sandall, Edenthorpe and Barnby Dun

Map reference: O Number of Councillors proposed: 3 Electorate forecast to 2019: 11,866 Electorate variance: -6.7%

At the last boundary review the neighbouring villages of Kirk Sandall, Edenthorpe and Barnby Dun were brought together to form a new ward. The three villages are very close geographically, with Edenthorpe and Kirk Sandall only having a boundary line between them just off Church Balk, and Barnby Dun having a railway line and a field between them.

Barnby Dun and Kirk Sandall have a joint Parish Council. Between the villages the Parish Council have set up a Sports Association with a new Pavilion. Edenthorpe also has a Parish Council with a Community Centre and a football pavilion and associated football teams.

Before this ward arrangement, Kirk Sandall and Barnby Dun were in a ward with Stainforth, a self-contained village three miles distant with its main activity derived from the local pit. Edenthorpe was also previously in a ward arrangement with Armthorpe, another former pit village. Those former arrangements led to the pit villages dominating the agenda, they are large communities with higher than average deprivation, which led to a lot of investment into them.

Kirk Sandall had a factory owned by Pilkingtons nearby and this company helped the village with community events and social clubs. This employer has now left so the village has to stand on its own. Barnby Dun had the power station and facilities at Thorpe Marsh with investment locally. Edenthorpe was a satellite village to Armthorpe, who got the majority of investment as it too was a pit village.

It would be a logical move to incorporate Clay Lane into the proposed new ward with Kirk Sandall, as a new development is planned next to the railway line, its entry point being on the roundabout near Sainsbury’s supermarket. This community was a satellite community from Wheatley, separated by this busy dual lane trunk road. Many of the children now walk along Doncaster Road to attend the Kirk Sandall Infant and Junior schools, and then go to Hungerhill secondary school in Edenthorpe. Moving the boundary from the railway line to Wheatley Hall Road would be an easy and efficient change.

The ward at present extends to South Bramwith a small group of dwellings. Adding Braithwaite to the ward would extend this range but not be a great difference in electorate. is next to the new build gas power station but its addition

19 to this ward would, similarly to Braithwaite, increase the area of the ward but only have a small increase in residents and electorate.

Introducing a large number of residents such as Dunsville, would be impractical and fraught with issues. Dunsville has a boundary neighbour at the Flarepath junction called Dunscroft. The Kirk Sandall ward has no boundary close to this community, no affinity or any community close ties. This ward is increasing its numbers weekly, with new developments at: Church Balk Gardens; Athelstane Crescent; Maltings Court. Interest and plans are being brought forward on: the West Moor Link Road; the site of Freeway Motors; land off Sainsbury’s roundabout; and off Thorne Road.

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16. Balby

Map reference: P Number of Councillors proposed: 3 Electorate forecast to 2019: 13,605 Electorate variance: 7.0%

Geographically the Balby Ward sits between the Doncaster Town Centre and transport access onto the A1, with one of the main link roads into town, A630 , running through the Ward. The Balby Ward area as a whole has a range of assets from proactive community members and groups to local and national businesses, schools including Balby Carr Academy, a large proportion of varied religious places of worship and recreational facilities such as Sandford Road field and the Bullring to name a couple. The area also has a Household Waste Recycling Centre, one of only 6 across the borough.

The area has good transport links into the town centre and is ideally placed for access on to the A1, providing connections to the M18, M1 and M62. Investment into improved transport links can be currently seen with the development of the A630 Improvement Scheme. The scheme is being funded through European funding and the Sheffield City region transport strategy and is being delivered in two phases. Phase one was completed in 2011 and involved junction improvement work and a new bus gate at Sandford Road. Phase two commenced in July 2012 with further junction improvements and road resurfacing.

Of the 88 communities within Doncaster, parts of the Balby Ward fall within the most deprived, whilst others are towards the other end of the scale. Balby itself ranks 12th in the overall rankings in terms of deprivation.

Within the Balby ward there are a high proportion of households within the lowest council tax band, suggesting lower housing value, however this is mainly within the Balby area. There are also parts of the Balby area that have transient populations linked to private sector landlord tenancies

Note: Balby Woodfield is included in the Edlington and Warmsworth Ward.

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17. Town Ward

Map reference: Q Number of Councillors proposed: 3 Electorate forecast to 2019: 13,918 Electorate variance: 9.5%

This proposed ward encompasses the centre of the town and very closely follows the ancient town boundary. There are established communities on the periphery along with areas with more transient populations towards the centre. It is made up of , Balby Bridge, Hyde Park, Belle Vue Bennetthorpe, Lower Wheatley up to Wentworth Road and Town Moor up to Zetland Road.

Geographically, the Town Ward encompasses Doncaster Town Centre, and includes the main shopping and leisure area at Lakeside, with the Keepmoat Stadium, home of Doncaster Rovers FC, the Shopping Outlet, Cinema, The Dome, and Doncaster Bowl. This area is one of Doncaster’s main attractions and is advertised nationally as such, bringing in tourism, business, commerce and investment to the area. The Central Ward area as a whole has a range of assets; proactive community members and groups; businesses; schools; a large proportion of varied religious places of worship; and recreational facilities such as Lakeside, Elmfield Park, Hexthorpe Park, Belle Vue Children’s Park and Town Fields.

The area has good transport links into the Town Centre and is ideally placed for access on to the M18, providing connections to the A1, M1 and M62. Investment into improved transport links can be currently seen with the development of the White Rose Way dualling scheme, aimed at increasing the capacity of the current link to the M18 from single carriage to dual carriageway.

Of the 88 communities within Doncaster, pockets of the Town Ward area fall within the most deprived, whilst others are towards the other end of the scale. Hyde Park and Hexthorpe are amongst the most deprived area in the Doncaster with rankings of 3 and 9 and Lower Wheatley has a ranking of 10.

The area is classified as a multicultural blue collar community. A high proportion of households are in the lowest council tax band, suggesting lower housing value. Within the area there is a mixture of private owned, private rented and council owned properties. There are also parts of the area that have transient populations linked to private sector landlord tenancies. There is higher value housing in the Town Moor area.

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18. Greater Wheatley

Map reference: R Number of Councillors proposed: 3 Electorate forecast to 2019: 13,885 Electorate variance: 9.2%

This proposed ward includes the communities of Cathedral City and Wheatley Hills within the broad spread of Wheatley along the North side of Thorne Road together with Intake to the South of the Road. The ward itself is clearly bounded on three sides, by the canal to the North and major roads to the East and South. These are well established urban residential areas within easy reach of services either locally or in the centre of the town. The communities form a contiguous ward with no clearly distinct boundaries between them.

Geographically the Wheatley Ward sits on the outskirts of the Doncaster Town Centre and stretches through to the boundary with Clay Lane, Kirk Sandall and Edenthorpe. The area has good transport links into the Town Centre and access onto the M18 and M62 providing connections to the A1 and M1 , with one of the main link roads into town, A630 , running through the Ward. The Wheatley Ward area as a whole has a range of assets from proactive community members and groups to local and national businesses, small and large localised shopping precincts, schools, a large proportion of varied religious places of worship and recreational facilities such as Sandall Park, Grove Gardens and Hills Lane to name a few. The area plays host to a number of businesses, retail and industrial parks such as the Wheatley Centre, and Shaw Lane as well the hub of car sales showrooms along Wheatley Hall Road. In addition there is also The Doncaster Racecourse Venue, Bloodstock Sales and Doncaster Royal Infirmary.

Of the 88 communities within Doncaster, parts of the Wheatley Ward fall within the most deprived, whilst others are towards the other end of the scale. Wheatley ranks 17th and Intake is 22

The area is classified as a multicultural blue collar community with prospering suburbs. Within the Wheatley ward there is a mixture of council owned, private rented and private owned properties with households in the lowest council tax band, suggesting lower housing value, mainly within Wheatley area.

It is suggested that this ward best matches the demand for electoral equality and community identity.

Note: Clay Lane is now in Kirk Sandall, Edenthorpe & Barnby Dun Ward.

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19. Roman Ridge

Map reference: S Number of Councillors proposed: 2 Electorate forecast to 2019: 8,574 Electorate variance: 1.2%

The proposed ward encompasses the communities surrounding the section of the ancient Roman Road directly north of Doncaster town centre. The three communities sit between two main arterial routes to the north west of the town centre and include Scawsby, Scawthorpe, and Sunnyfields.

The three communities in the proposed ward are predominantly of urban and suburban expansion of Doncaster in the 20th Century to meet the needs of the mining and industrial developments. The area has two large secondary schools serving the proposed ward and the adjacent communities. In addition, many of the local health services, a community run library, and commercial services are shared by all three communities which have good transport links.

The proposed ward is of an appropriate size for two members and has the necessary communication links for engagement with electors, in respect of casework and community consultation, and allows the members to take a full part in the corporate government of the Authority. In addition part of the ward is parished which will allow the members to engage with existing community level structures to improve their role in the community.

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20. Stainforth & Moorends

Map reference: T Number of Councillors proposed: 2 Electorate forecast to 2019: 9,291 Electorate variance: 9.6%

This proposed ward is based on the existing ward of Stainforth and Moorends, but retaining only the communities of Fishlake and Sykehouse, which both have natural communications links with both Stainforth and Moorends.

Stainforth has a long tradition of boat building, but its modern form is based on the 20th century community. It shares similar traditions to Moorends, another mining village. It has a strong and long recognised southern boundary along the Doncaster to Scunthorpe railway line.

Moorends is self-contained with its own health centre and GP practices, library, Sure Start centre, and primary schools. Its secondary school pupils travel to a range of secondary schools including Hatfield, Edenthorpe, Thorne and even John Leggott College, Scunthorpe (a popular choice from 16-19 for pupils in the east of the borough).

Together these communities form an ideal two member ward. Having looked at other arrangements, this appears the best arrangement which matches the demand for electoral equality and community identity.

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Submission 2: Conservative Group Proposal

Background Doncaster is the largest of England’s Metropolitan Boroughs. At over 550 sq. km (220 sq. miles) its geographic size places it in the upper quartile of all principal English Authorities1.

In the early 70s ward boundaries were put in place that broadly reflected the dominance of the urban core which was at the height of its economic influence. At that time its economy was dominated by coal, railways, engineering, and manufacturing.

Created under the Local Government Act 1972, the current structure came from a merger of the former of Doncaster along with the urban districts of , Bentley with Arksey, Conisbrough, Mexborough, along with Doncaster Rural Districts, Tickhill, Thorne Rural District, the parish of Finningley from East Retford Rural District, and small parts of the parish of Harworth from Worksop Rural District in Nottinghamshire.

Today the vision of its 1970’s creation2 has been largely fulfilled with communities like Mexborough, Conisbrough, Adwick and Bentley expanding to become joined to the main urban core and divided largely by the natural barrier of the River Don and its flood plain.

Of equal importance to this identity however is the fact that outside these urban areas the town is complimented by a large rural citizenry who inhabit a small number of market towns, and a wealth of villages and hamlets.

Within urban areas the existence of organic settlements which grew around industrial activities such as coal mining, are still self-evident, long after the industries themselves have ceased to be relevant. Likewise Doncaster’s rural face has remained largely unchanged, nestled amongst rich agricultural land with settlements connected to each other not just by physically proximity and road links but by a commitment to rural lifestyles, identity and supported by a different priority of service request more often marginalised by service delivery from urban communities.

Constructing New Ward Boundaries The purpose of this proposal and its accompanying map and table is to show how best to meet the Boundary Commission’s objective of reducing the number of Councillors to 54. This should be done whilst always keeping in mind the principles of equity of representation, respect for community identity, and promoting effective and convenient local government.

Contrasting with the work put forward in the Council’s adopted submission3, these alternate boundaries show how it is possible to seize this historic opportunity of reforming Doncaster’s political structures, making them more efficient and accountable for the 21st century, whilst also respecting the integrity and identity of the borough’s discreet communities and their historic links with each other.

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In terms of equity, this map achieves the goal of equal distribution of representation with 2 councillors each across 27 wards of equal population (within acceptable variances) but furthermore, beyond pure numbers, it also recognises and respects longstanding community boundaries and relationships from both a rural and urban perspective.

This submission is keen to stress that Doncaster’s almost unique sense of geographic scale makes maintaining a sense of cohesion challenging and the best way to do this is to respect traditional communities and their roots.

Doncaster’s strength comes from its variety. It is a rich mix of rural and market villages, former mining communities, and a dense urban core. The supporting map takes a broadly concentric approach, starting on the rural outskirts and working in towards the centre.

Crucially, rural wards have been constructed on their own community merit and not as an addition to former industry centres where structural economic change has left those communities with democracy based representation less supportive toward rural residents’ own challenges.

The Council recognises the need for equal population distribution amongst wards, but is also mindful that boundaries wherever possible, in accordance with Boundary Commission guidelines, should be drawn organically and not in an arbitrary fashion.

The difference in population densities, for example, means that the redistribution of say 500 votes in a rural ward may require a redrawing of the boundary for many miles, whilst the same figure in an urban context may be achieved by the reallocation of no more than a few streets. The former clearly risks challenging a sense of identity more than the latter and this map reflects the latter approach.

Conclusion Different types of communities, of which Doncaster has many, have different needs, issues and agendas. The provision and accessing of services are at their most effective when this is remembered. An effective political structure is no different.

This submission strongly believes that political representation is at its strongest and most effective when it is aligned to the communities it serves in a clear and as easily relatable fashion. A sense of being a part of the political system is best engendered by a citizen feeling they are a vital and valued part of the ward in which they are voting, that it is a place to which they belong and not an abstract construct.

The Council welcomes this historic opportunity to reform the political structure that serves Doncaster’s geographically widespread, but traditionally close-knit, communities and it therefore also offers up this map as the perfect way of strengthening the one without weakening the other.

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Map and Table Notes: Wards with Deferment to, and request for Boundary Commission Decision / Matters for Consultation

The submission defers for further consultation to specific boundary decisions within areas highlighted f, i, s, and t on the map, and lines 6a/b, 9a/b, 19a/b/c and 20a/b/c within the table.

In these areas the dense proximity of population, and the restricted capability of the authority’s geo-mapping systems, populated with registered voters/verified participants at the last election means it is difficult to draw a ward boundary that would be anything other than open for criticism when presented in the existing political environment.

In these areas the intention is to show a grouping of wards for further subdivision later in the ward development process.

For example map reference “s” relating to the area north of the central urban core would at the final stage of ward development be subdivided into three approximately equal wards containing one third of the overall electoral population. In a final boundary decision three separate wards would exist each to be represented by two ward councillors in each ward.

More detailed consultation engaging with the area’s communities and residents would confirm a more complete sense of community affinity outside the arbitrary grouping of place/district name where co-mingling and overlap of community names on a map makes it difficult pick a natural ward name with which resident have an immediate affinity.

Other ward groupings requiring a similar approach:  Map reference “f” – Armthorpe and Edenthorpe – two wards to be created, two councillors representing each ward - question of division where any portion of voters from one location combined with another at this stage would draw criticism. N.B. the area between these communities benefits from imminent development proposals that will likely deliver some coalescence of the communities in future years following the first election cycle.  Map reference “i” – Balby – two wards to be created, two councillors in each - question of division between Balby East and Balby West Wards -both wards with scope for population growth from current onsite development by the Homes and Communities Agency  Map reference “t” – Doncaster’s Central Wards – three wards to be created, two councillors in each – questions of divisions amongst the highest population density areas with the borough.

Footnotes:

1 Actual rank is 81st in the list of 253 principal English authorities.

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2 Original foundation of Doncaster date to 1st century AD as a Roman fort and crossing point over the River Don. Re-organisation of town under Local Government Act 1972 created modern administrative designation although it existed under the grant of town charter by Richard 1 since 1194.

3 On 30th January 2014 at an Extraordinary Meeting of Full Council convened to adopt the recommendation accepted from the Labour Group as tabled at an Extraordinary Meeting of the Councils Election and Democratic Structures on the 28th January 2014.

Associate Documents:  Ward Boundary Working Table  Ward Boundary Proposals Maps

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Submission 2 Ward Boundary Working

No. of Ward Cllrs Electorate Electorate Map N Proposed 19 Per Cllr Variance Ref Ward/Area Comments

1 2 8865 4432.5 4.6% a Adwick Passes Threshold 2 2 8782 4391 3.6% b Askern Passes Threshold 3 2 7642 3821 -9.8% c West Rural Ward**** Passes Threshold 4 2 9469 4734.5 11.7% d Thorne Over Threshold (distinct community) 5 2 9099 4549.5 7.4% e Northern Rural Ward Passes Threshold

6a 2 Question of division amongst Under threshold FOUR COUNCILLORS -Two Wards 15118 3779.5 -10.8% f Armthorpe and Edenthorpe (2x2). The Armthorpe & Edenthorpe area to be split with 6b 2 exact details determined by the Boundary Commission. 7 2 8489 4244.5 0.2% g Conisbrough Passes Threshold 8 2 8658 4329 2.2% h Edlington & Warmsworth** Passes Threshold

9a 2 Question of east and west division Passes Threshold - FOUR COUNCILLORS - Two Wards 17495 4373.75 3.2% i of Balby (2x2) The Balby area to be split with exact details 9b 2 determined by the Boundary Commission. 10 2 8218 4109 -3.0% j Mex West* Passes Threshold 11 2 7658 3829 -9.6% k Mex East & Denaby* Passes Threshold

12 2 7794 3897 -8.0% l Kirk Sandall, Barnby Dun & Clay Passes Threshold Lane 13 2 8794 4397 3.8% m Southern Rural Ward** Passes Threshold 14 2 8200 4100 -3.3% n Great North Road South Passes Threshold 15 2 8305 4152.5 -2.0% o Rossington Passes Threshold

16 2 9280 4640 9.5% p Bessacarr/Blaxton Passes Threshold 17 2 8708 4354 2.7% q Hatfield and Eastern Rural*** Passes Threshold 18 2 7954 3977 -6.2% r Stainforth & Hatfield*** Passes Threshold

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Ward No. of Electorate Electorate Variance Map Ward/Area Comments N Cllrs 19 Per Cllr Ref Proposed 19a 2 Passes Threshold SIX COUNCILLORS - Three Wards Question of division around North (3x2) The Greater Bentley, Toll Bar, Scawsby area to be 19b 2 24715 4119.167 -2.8% s Urban Area wards**** split with exact details determined by the Boundary 19c 2 Commission

20a 2 Passes Threshold SIX COUNCILLORS Three Wards Question of division around Central 26541 4423.5 4.4% t (3x2) The Central area to be split with exact details 20b 2 wards determined by the Boundary Commission. 20c 2 21 2 9056 4528 6.8% u West Bessacarr and Cantley Passes Threshold 54 228840 4237.778 0.0%

NOTES * SD 500 in Ward 11 and 1223 in Ward 10 ** HB 200 in Ward 13 and 2326 in Ward 8 ***LC 500 in Ward 18 and 875 in Ward 17 ****TL 1491 In Wards 19 abc and 332 in Ward 3

Map based on polling district. Where small numbers are transferred to other wards this would be to take account of small rural communities distinctly different and separate from urban polling districts on which the associated map relies.

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Submission 3: Bessacarr and Cantley Liberal Democrat and Independent Ward Councillors Proposal

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Submission 3 Ward Boundary Working

Ward Map No. of Cllrs Electorate Electorate N Ref Proposed 19 Per Cllr Variance Broad Area/Name Comment 1 a 3 11232 3744.0 -11.7% Armthorpe Under Threshold 2 b 2 8170 4085.0 -3.6% Bentley/Scawthorpe Passes Threshold 3 c 2 7533 3766.5 -11.1% Bentley/Toll Bar Under Threshold 4 d 3 12523 4174.3 -1.5% Conisbrough Passes Threshold 5 e 2 8646 4323.0 2.0% Rossington Passes Threshold 6 f 2 8936 4468.0 5.4% Tickhill & Bawtry Passes Threshold 7 g 2 8448 4224.0 -0.3% Finningley Passes Threshold 8 h 2 8496 4248.0 0.2% Askern Passes Threshold 9 i 2 8420 4210.0 -0.7% Stainforth Passes Threshold 10 j 2 8727 4363.5 3.0% Edenthorpe Passes Threshold 11 k 2 8788 4394.0 3.7% Carcroft Passes Threshold 12 l 2 9548 4774.0 12.7% Balby/Hexthorpe Over Threshold 13 m 2 9247 4623.5 9.1% Balby South Passes Threshold 14 n 3 12963 4321.0 2.0% Scawsby/Woodlands Passes Threshold 15 o 3 13230 4410.0 4.1% Thorne/Moorends Passes Threshold 16 p 3 12048 4016.0 -5.2% Hatfield Passes Threshold 17 q 2 8681 4340.5 2.4% Cantley Passes Threshold 18 r 2 8410 4205.0 -0.8% Bessacarr Passes Threshold 19 s 2 9047 4523.5 6.7% Edlington Passes Threshold 20 t 3 12014 4004.7 -5.5% Mexborough Passes Threshold 21 u 3 12646 4215.3 -0.5% Intake Passes Threshold 22 v 3 12720 4240.0 0.1% Wheatley Passes Threshold 23 w 2 8367 4183.5 -1.3% Sprotbrough Passes Threshold 54 228840 NOTES

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