Final recommendations on the new electoral arrangements for Metropolitan Borough Council

Electoral review

November 2014

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Licence Number: GD 100049926 2014

Contents

Summary 1

1 Introduction 3

2 Analysis and final recommendations 5

Submissions received 5 Electorate figures 6 Council size 6 Warding patterns 7 Draft recommendations 7 Further draft recommendations 8 Final recommendations Doncaster town 9 Torne Valley 10 East Doncaster 10 Rural northern parishes 11 Western parishes 11 Conclusions 22 Parish electoral arrangements 22

3 What happens next? 25

Appendices

A Table A1: Final recommendations for Doncaster 26 Metropolitan Borough Council

B Submissions received 28

C Glossary and abbreviations 30

Summary

Who we are

The Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE) is an independent body set up by Parliament. We are not part of government or any political party. We are accountable to Parliament through a committee of MPs chaired by the Speaker of the House of Commons.

Our main role is to carry out electoral reviews of local authorities throughout England.

Electoral review

An electoral review examines and proposes new electoral arrangements for a local authority. A local authority’s electoral arrangements decide:

• How many councillors are needed? • How many wards or electoral divisions should there be, where are their boundaries and what should they be called? • How many councillors should represent each ward or division?

Why Doncaster?

We have conducted an electoral review of Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council (‘the Council’) following a request from the former Mayor, a recommendation from the Doncaster Intervention Commission and an order by the Secretary of State. Based on the February 2014 electoral figures, 10% of the wards currently have a variance from the average number of electors per councillor for the borough which is greater than 10%.

Our proposals for Doncaster

Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council currently has 63 councillors. Based on the evidence we received during previous phases of the review, we considered that a council size of 54 members would be appropriate in ensuring the Council could discharge its roles and responsibilities effectively. Following consultation, we considered it desirable to increase this number by one, to 55 members, to facilitate good electoral equality across the borough.

Electoral arrangements

Our final recommendations are that Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council’s 55 councillors should represent eight two-member wards and 13 three-member wards across the borough. One of our proposed 21 wards, (Sprotbrough) would have an electoral variance of greater than 10% from the average for Doncaster by 2019.

We have finalised our recommendations for electoral arrangements for Doncaster.

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1 Introduction

1 This electoral review is being conducted following our decision to review the Council’s electoral arrangements to ensure that the number of voters represented by each councillor is approximately the same across the borough.

What is an electoral review?

2 Our three main considerations in conducting an electoral review are set out in legislation1 and are to:

• Improve electoral equality by equalising the number of electors each councillor represents • Reflect community identity • Provide for effective and convenient local government

3 Our task is to strike the best balance between them when making our recommendations. Our powers, as well as the guidance we have provided for electoral reviews and further information on the review process, can be found on our website at www.lgbce.org.uk

Consultation

4 We wrote to the Council as well as other interested parties, inviting the submission of proposals on council size. We then held four periods of consultation: first on council size, second on warding patterns for the Council; third on our draft recommendations; and finally on our further draft recommendations. The submissions received during our consultations have informed our final recommendations. This review was conducted as follows:

Stage starts Description 3 September 2013 Consultation on council size 12 November 2013 Decision on council size 26 November 2013 Invitation to submit proposals for warding arrangements to LGBCE 4 February 2014 LGBCE’s analysis and formulation of draft recommendations 27 May 2014 Publication of draft recommendations and consultation on them 12 August 2014 LGBCE’s analysis and formulation of further draft recommendations 24 September 2014 Publication of further draft recommendations and consultation on them 27 October 2014 Analysis of submissions received and formulation of final recommendations 25 November 2014 Publication of final recommendations

1 Schedule 2 to the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009. 3

How will the recommendations affect you?

5 The recommendations will determine how many councillors will serve on the Council. They will also decide which ward you vote in, which other communities are in that ward and, in some instances, which parish council ward you vote in. Your ward name may also change, as may the names of parish or town council wards in the area. The names or boundaries of parishes will not change as a result of our recommendations.

What is the Local Government Boundary Commission for England?

6 The Local Government Boundary Commission for England is an independent body set up by Parliament under the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009.

Members of the Commission are:

Max Caller CBE (Chair) Professor Colin Mellors (Deputy Chair) Dr Peter Knight CBE DL Alison Lowton Sir Tony Redmond Professor Paul Wiles CB

Chief Executive: Alan Cogbill Chief Executive (Designate): Jolyon Jackson CBE

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2 Analysis and final recommendations

7 Legislation states that our recommendations are not intended to be based solely on the existing number of electors2 in an area, but also on estimated changes in the number and distribution of electors likely to take place over a five-year period from the date of our final recommendations. We must also try to recommend strong, clearly identifiable boundaries for the wards we put forward at the end of the review.

8 In reality, the achievement of absolute electoral fairness is unlikely to be attainable and there must be a degree of flexibility. However, our approach is to keep variances in the number of electors each councillor represents to a minimum.

9 In seeking to achieve electoral fairness, we work out the average number of electors per councillor by dividing the electorate by the number of councillors as shown on the table below.

2013 2019 Electorate of Doncaster 226,535 228,840 Borough Number of councillors 55 55

Average number of 4,119 4,161 electors per councillor

10 Under our final recommendations, one of our proposed wards will have an electoral variance of greater than 10% from the average for the Borough by 2019. We are therefore satisfied that we have achieved good levels of electoral fairness for Doncaster.

11 Additionally, in circumstances where we propose to divide a parish between borough wards or county divisions, we are required to divide it into parish wards so that each parish ward is wholly contained within a single borough ward or county division. We cannot make amendments to the external boundaries of parishes as part of an electoral review.

12 These recommendations cannot affect the external boundaries of Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council or result in changes to postcodes. Nor is there any evidence that the recommendations will have an adverse effect on local taxes, house prices, or car and house insurance premiums. The proposals do not take account of parliamentary constituency boundaries, and we are not, therefore, able to take into account any representations which are based on these issues.

Submissions received

13 See Appendix B for a summary list of the submissions received during the further draft consultation. All submissions from all stages of the process may be inspected at our office by appointment. All submissions received can also be viewed on our website at www.lgbce.org.uk

2 Electors refers to the number of people registered to vote, not the whole adult population. 5

Electorate figures

14 The Council submitted electorate forecasts for 2019, a period five years on from the scheduled publication of our final recommendations in 2014. These forecasts were broken down to polling district level and projected an increase in the electorate of 1% to 2019.

15 During consultation on warding arrangements, we received a submission from Armthorpe Parish Council arguing that its electorate would be greater than is forecast by 2019. It argued that the borough’s Core Strategy required significant housing growth in Armthorpe in the period to 2028. Having investigated this, we have not received evidence highlighting specific developments in the parish which are likely to be completed by 2019. Therefore, we decided not to modify the electorate forecasts for Armthorpe parish.

16 During consultation on our further draft recommendations, it was brought to our attention that a large-scale development is planned to the south of Doncaster, in the vicinity of Rossington. It was suggested that of the 1,200 houses granted planning permission, up to 270 are likely to be constructed by 2019. This may represent in the region of 486 electors (applying a 1.8 person average elector ratio per house). If this were the case then the electoral variance in the Rossington & ward may reach up to 11%. Construction is not due to commence until spring 2015. Having carefully considered the evidence regarding the rate of construction we are not persuaded we can include, with confidence, this addition to the Council’s electorate forecast.

17 With this in mind we are satisfied that the projected figures provided by the Council represent the best available information at the present time and these figures continue to form the basis of our recommendations.

Council size

18 The Council currently has a council size of 63 ward councillors in addition to an elected Mayor. The Council originally proposed a council size of 54 ward councillors. It argued that this would enable it to carry out its governance and scrutiny functions most efficiently under a new council governance structure. The Rt Hon Ed Miliband MP (Doncaster North) the Rt Hon Rosie Winterton MP (Doncaster Central) and the Rt Hon Caroline Flint MP (Don Valley) made a submission supporting 54 councillors.

19 The Doncaster Intervention Commissioners made an initial submission proposing a council size of 40 – 42, arguing that a number in that range would sustain the Council’s governance, and avoid overstretching the Council’s provision of member support. The Intervention Commissioners later increased their proposed range to 45 – 48 but finally gave support to a council size of 54 members. The former Mayor, Peter Davies, also made a submission arguing for a council size of 21.

20 During consultation on council size, we received 62 submissions. These included proposals for council sizes ranging from 21 to 63 members. We considered that the Council had made the most convincing argument regarding council size throughout the process. Therefore, we invited warding patterns based on a council size of 54. 6

21 In developing our further draft recommendations it was necessary to add an additional councillor to achieve satisfactory electoral equality in the Edenthorpe area. Following on from this we have decided to confirm a council size of 55 members as part of our final recommendations.

Warding Patterns

22 We received 24 submissions during the initial consultation stage on warding patterns for Doncaster. These included borough-wide schemes from the Council, the Conservative Group and the Liberal Democrat Group. We also received a submission from the Members of Parliament for constituencies covering Doncaster borough, endorsing the Council’s submission and making further comments on community identities in some areas, particularly Armthorpe, Thorne and . Two submissions, from the Doncaster branch of UKIP and a local resident, proposed that the boundaries of the borough’s existing 21 wards be retained and that two councillors be elected to each. The remainder of the submissions provided localised comments for warding arrangements in particular areas of the borough.

23 The Council currently operates a scheme of elections by thirds (i.e. one-third of its councillors being elected each year in three years out of four). However, the Borough of Doncaster (Scheme of Elections) Order 2013 has changed the authority’s electoral cycle. From 2015 onwards, elections of the whole council will take place every four years. Where an authority elects by thirds, there is a presumption in legislation that the authority will have a uniform pattern of three-member wards. With the change in the Council’s electoral cycle, this presumption no longer applies. Therefore, we have the flexibility to recommend a mixed pattern of single-member, two-member and three-member wards for the borough.

24 We based our draft recommendations on the Council’s scheme, while incorporating elements from the Conservative Group and Liberal Democrat Group schemes.

Draft Recommendations

25 We recommended a draft scheme based on the Council’s proposals for the Doncaster town area. To the north, north-east and south-west of the borough, elements of the Liberal Democrat proposals were incorporated, and for the remainder of the borough we developed our own warding arrangements. This was based on a combination of the borough-wide proposals, adapted to ensure the warding arrangements better reflected community identities and provided good electoral equality.

26 Our draft recommendations were for a council of 54 wards members representing three single-member wards, six two-member wards and 13 three- member wards.

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Further Draft Recommendations

27 We received 556 submissions commenting on the draft recommendations. These included two alternative warding schemes for the authority, seven partial proposals, five petitions and four comments on council size. Eighteen submissions came from parish councils, parish meetings and parish councillors, seven from political parties and party groups on the Council, eight from ward councillors, one from the Rt Hon Rosie Winterton MP and six from local residents’ groups. The rest were from local residents.

28 Representations from across Doncaster included strong, well-argued opposition to many aspects of the draft recommendations. In light of the comments received, we sought to put forward a revised pattern of wards that reflected this evidence. We recognised that this pattern of wards was very different to that consulted on as part of the original draft recommendations and therefore decided to undertake a period of further limited consultation prior to confirming our final recommendations.

29 Our further draft recommendations were developed with particular reference to the schemes provided by Independent Councillor Monty Cuthbert, the Adwick and Bentley Labour parties, a submission from the Joint Parish Councils, and the Don Valley Constituency Labour Party. These further draft recommendations varied from our initial draft recommendations by proposing a council of 55 ward councillors representing 21 wards. This meant that the average number of electors per councillor would be 4,161 in 2019. Two of the proposed wards, Armthorpe and Sprotbrough, would have electoral variance of greater than 10% from the average for the borough by 2019.

30 The further draft recommendations had an impact on 14 wards, clustered into four key areas; Edenthorpe/Armthorpe, Torne Valley, the Western Parishes and the Rural Northern Parishes. The remaining wards, primarily located in the centre of Doncaster were subject to only minor or no changes.

31 In Edenthorpe, robust evidence was received that highlighted the strength of community identity and cohesiveness within that village. It was argued that Armthorpe is a self-contained urban area with its own distinct identity. It was also noted that the two areas of Edenthorpe and Armthorpe are separated by a swathe of green fields protected under the Doncaster Local Development Framework Green Wedge initiative and should not be combined in the same ward.

32 We recommended an alternative warding pattern that would combine the whole of Edenthorpe and the Kirk Sandall area and create a separate Armthorpe ward which would be coterminous with Armthorpe Parish. We also joined with Stainforth in a two-member ward to improve electoral equality in the area and to ensure that Edenthorpe be contained in a single ward.

33 In the Torne Valley area we recommended that Austerfield be combined with the Rossington and Bawtry areas in a three-member ward. Good evidence relating to shared services between Austerfield and Bawtry was provided and our observations during our visit to the area indicated that Austerfield might be more appropriately considered to be a residential neighbour of Bawtry.

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34 Respondents’ evidence of community links persuaded us to combine Wadworth parish in a ward with Tickhill rather than . It was argued that combining Warmsworth with Edlington would better reflect communities and local transport links, and that Balby South should become a separate two-member ward.

35 Additionally for this area, based on the strength of evidence received, we recommended that the parishes of Braithwell, Stainton, Wadworth, Loversall and Tickhill be united in a two-member ward and that Warmsworth, Edlington and Parks parishes be combined in a two-member ward.

36 For the rural west a well-evidenced submission was put forward by the Joint Rural Parishes. This proposal was widely supported by local residents. In response, we sought to accommodate the broad thrust of these proposals and recommended that our proposed Sprotbrough ward be extended further north and encompass the parishes of (northern part), Barnburgh, Hickleton, Marr, Sprotbrough & Cusworth (southern part), Cadeby, High Melton and (south eastern part). We also proposed that parish be included in Norton & ward with a view to maintaining as many of the rural connections as possible whilst keeping a balance between community ties and securing good levels of electoral equality.

37 We also recommended that Scawsby parish remain in a ward with the interconnected settlements of and Cusworth, to reflect community identities and interests. We also proposed that the boundary of our Bentley ward be modified to the southwest to better reflect the extent of the small township, and to incorporate Bentley rail station wholly within the ward.

38 On the basis of the evidence received, we also suggested that our proposed single member ward be amalgamated with Norton & Askern. This modification enabled the village of Sutton to be re-united with Norton & Askern and preserve the well-established historical and cultural connections between the areas.

Final Recommendations

39 We received 681submissions commenting on the further draft recommendations. These included the three MPs, two councilors, four political groups, nine local groups, 21 from parish councils, four town councils and 635 local residents. The submissions focused on several key areas. Specifically, respondents commented on our proposals for the eastern part of the authority, and the rural south. The area that received most comment however was our proposals for the western Parishes including a submission from the Joint Rural Parishes. Our final recommendations are outlined in detail in the tables below. However, they can be summarised as follows:

Doncaster Town

40 The Doncaster town area comprises the main suburbs of Doncaster as well as the central urban area. No representations about our proposed Town, Hexthorpe & Balby North, or Wheatley Hills & Intake wards were made during the period of further consultation. We have therefore decided to confirm these proposed wards as final.

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41 Comments were received from Tickhill Town Council on the inclusion of the Woodlands Plantation estate within Tickhill & Wadworth ward rather than Balby South. However, evidence was also provided that indicated shared services and facilities between the two areas. We have therefore decided to confirm our proposed Balby South ward as final.

42 A local resident of Bessacarr objected to the inclusion of an area of Cantley in Finningley rather than Bessacarr ward. We have not been persuaded that sufficient evidence has been received to justify modifying our proposals and have therefore decided to confirm our further draft recommendations for this area as final.

Torne Valley

43 The Torne Valley area covers the central southern areas of Doncaster, from Finningley to . We have decided to confirm as final, our proposed Finningley ward.

44 In response to consultation on our further draft recommendations, our proposal to combine Austerfield and Bawtry in a ward was supported by local residents and the Rt Hon Caroline Flint MP. However, the inclusion of Rossington in the ward was met with objection including a suggestion that the electorate forecast provided by the Council at the earlier stages of the review may not take into account subsequent development. As detailed in paragraph 16, we have decided to not include this development as part of the electorate forecasts. Notwithstanding this, we are not persuaded that we have received sufficient evidence to support an alternative warding pattern in this area, and we have decided to confirm our further draft recommendations as final.

45 There was support for our proposed Edlington & Warmsworth, Tickhill & Wadworth and Mexborough wards. We have amended Conisbrough ward to include the whole of Conisbrough Parks parish based on local evidence received. With this exception we have decided to confirm our further draft recommendations for this area as final.

East Doncaster

46 Our proposals for Thorne & Moorends and Hatfield wards did not attract any opposition during the further consultation period. Support has been received for the combination of the Thorne and Moorends areas in a ward. In particular, it was stated that ‘they are effectively the same community and have always been since Moorends was first built’. Our proposals were well supported by the local residents of Edenthorpe and the Rt Hon Rosie Winterton MP. However, residents of Barnby Dun objected to their inclusion in a ward with Stainforth.

47 Representations were received suggesting that Stainforth might be more appropriately placed with either Thorne & Moorends or Hatfield. However, either approach would result in an unacceptable level of electoral inequality.

48 We carefully considered the evidence received and decided that our further draft recommendations better reflected our statutory criteria than our earlier proposals. We have therefore decided to confirm our further draft recommendations for the whole of this area as final subject to a minor amendment between our 10 proposed Edenthorpe & Kirk Sandall and Stainforth & Barnby Dun wards to tie the ward boundary to clear ground detail. This change does not affect any electors.

Rural Northern Parishes

49 Representations received for Norton & Askern ward related specifically to the areas of Sykehouse, Fishlake, Skellow, Hampole and . Overall, the further draft recommendations were supported. Norton Parish Council stated that ‘on the whole [the] proposals [realise] electoral fairness and community unity based on geographical factors as well as social connections’.

50 However, we have decided to move Hampole parish from Norton & Askern to Sprotbrough ward to the south in line with the submission put forward by the Joint Rural Parishes.

51 There was some concern expressed that the ward boundary running between the communities of Skellow and is not distinct. We received various submissions that proposed a number of alternative ward boundaries, as well as conflicting opinions as to whether the area should be part of Adwick le Street & Carcroft ward or Norton & Askern ward. In the light of the limited clear evidence supplied we have decided to confirm our further draft recommendations for this area as final.

Western Parishes

52 This area covers Sprotbrough, Adwick le Street & Carcroft, and Bentley wards. Support for our proposals for Bentley and Roman Ridge wards has come from the Great North Road and the Bentley branches of the Labour Party. We have decided to make a minor change to the boundary between Bentley and Roman Ridge wards in the Mossdale Close area to provide a more clearly defined ward boundary.

53 A second, minor modification was made to the northern boundary of Roman Ridge ward to incorporate an area of open space that evidence suggests is used by local residents for recreation.

54 We received 410 submissions from residents and parish councils across the rural west of this area. Representations were made from Skelbrooke, Hampole, Pickburn, Brodsworth, Green Street, Hooton Pagnell, Clayton, Marr, Hickleton, Cadeby, and Sprotbrough parishes. All respondents objected to the warding arrangements for the area as proposed in our further draft recommendations.

55 The Joint Rural Parishes put forward three new warding arrangements for the area, two of which relied on the acceptance of an additional councillor. The third option proposed to move residents in the vicinity of the Danum Retail Park and Cheswold Park Hospital from Sprotbrough ward to Bentley ward.

56 On visiting the area we observed that the properties identified by the Joint Rural Parishes look towards Bentley. Furthermore, the electoral register indicates that some of these properties already have a Bentley address. This modification would also ensure a pattern of wards across the western part of the borough with reasonable levels of electoral equality. 11

57 There is wide-ranging support for the work of the Joint Rural Parishes, both from local residents and parish councillors. The Conservative Group also made a submission arguing for a single western ward.

58 We acknowledge the strength of community ties in this area and the well- evidenced submission put forward by the Joint Rural Parishes. In light of the evidence received, we have decided to move away from our further draft recommendations and provide for a two-member Sprotbrough ward based on the rural parishes to the west of Doncaster town and a separate three-member Adwick le Street & Carcroft ward. This would be facilitated by the amendment to the boundary between Sprotbrough and Bentley wards described above.

59 The tables on pages 12 - 19 detail our final recommendations for each area of Doncaster. Where we have moved away from our draft recommendations, we have outlined how the proposed warding arrangements reflect the three statutory criteria of: • Equality of representation • Reflecting community interests and identities • Providing for convenient and effective local government

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Doncaster Town

Number of Variance Ward Name Description Detail Cllrs 2019 Balby South 2 -7% This ward comprises a No representations were received during consultation that south-western suburb of objected to our further draft proposal for this ward. Comments the urban part of on the transfer of the Woodlands Plantation estate from Balby Doncaster. South to Tickhill & Wadworth ward were made by Tickhill parish. However, further evidence was provided that indicated residents of this area use the facilities of Tickhill, as well as those of Balby. We have therefore decided to confirm our further draft recommendations for this ward as final. Bentley 3 6% This ward comprises an No representations were received from local residents during urban area just north-east consultation that objected to the further draft of the town centre. recommendations. The Bentley Labour Party expressed support for the proposed warding pattern.

However, we have amended the boundary between this ward and Sprotbrough ward in the Danum Retail Park area, which is described in detail under the Sprotbrough section. We have also made a minor adjustment to improve the boundary line in the south west, moving 23 electors from Roman Ridge ward into Bentley ward. This alteration has no impact on electoral variances. We have therefore decided to confirm our further draft recommendations for this ward as final subject to these two amendments. Bessacarr 3 -6% This ward comprises a We received no submissions specifically relating to this ward. south-eastern suburb of We have therefore decided to confirm our further draft the urban part of recommendations for this ward as final. Doncaster.

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Hexthorpe & 2 0% This ward comprises a We received no submissions specifically relating to this ward. Balby North south-western suburb of We have therefore decided to confirm our further draft the urban part of recommendations for this ward as final. Doncaster. Roman Ridge 2 9% This ward comprises an No representations were received during consultation that urban area just north-east objected to the further draft recommendations warding of the town centre. arrangement.

However, we have made a minor adjustment to the boundary line in the north east to include an area of open space that evidence suggests is used by local residents for recreation. The land includes the remains of an old fort, after which many of the local roads and the primary school are named. Our tour of the area confirmed that the land was readily accessible from Roman Ridge ward, and was indeed used by local residents for recreational purposes.

There is no impact on electoral variances in moving this area from the Adwick le Street & Carcroft ward into Roman Ridge ward. We have therefore decided to confirm our further draft recommendations for this ward as final subject to this small modification. Town 3 3% This ward comprises the We received no submissions specifically relating to this ward. central urban area of We have therefore decided to confirm our further draft Doncaster. recommendations for this ward as final. Wheatley 3 6% This ward comprises a We received no submissions specifically relating to this ward. Hills & Intake north-eastern suburb of We have therefore decided to confirm our further draft the urban part of recommendations for this ward as final. Doncaster.

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Torne Valley

Number of Variance Ward name Description Detail Cllrs 2019 Conisbrough 3 2% This ward comprises a In response to our further draft recommendations, we received residential area at the a representation from the Rt Hon Caroline Flint MP who western edge on the broadly supported the further draft recommendations but borough including the proposed that the boundary of Conisbrough ward be extended parishes of Conisbrough to include the whole of Conisbrough Parks parish and Parks and Denaby specifically the village of Clifton. This proposal was also supported by a former borough councillor, Conisbrough Parks Parish Council and a number of local residents. On the basis of the evidence received, we have decided to incorporate this proposal into our final recommendations. We note, in particular, that this would have minimum impact on electoral variances and better reflect local community identities. We consider this modification would therefore provide a better balance between our statutory criteria. Edlington & 2 6% This ward comprises the The broad thrust of our further draft recommendations for this Warmsworth parishes of Warmsworth area was supported. We have therefore decided to confirm our and Edlington, an urban further draft recommendations for this ward as final subject to area mostly lying to the the inclusion of the whole of Conisbrough Parks Parish in west of the A1(M). Conisbrough ward, as described above. Mexborough 3 -5% This ward comprises the We received no submissions specifically relating to this ward. town of Mexborough and We have therefore decided to confirm our further draft the southern part of the recommendations for this ward as final. Adwick upon Dearne parish. Rossington & 3 7% This ward comprises a During consultation, there was general support for the further Bawtry mix of urban former draft recommendations which combined Austerfield and Bawtry mining communities and parishes in the same ward. However, some respondents residential rural areas to objected to inclusion of Rossington parish in this ward; they

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the south-east of central proposed that Rossington parish form a separate ward, Doncaster. It comprises arguing that there is no community connection between the parishes of Rossington and the other two parishes. Rossington, Austerfield and Bawtry. Additionally, it has been brought to our attention that there is a large-scale housing development planned for the western edge of Rossington on the site of a former colliery. As detailed in paragraphs 16 and 44 we have decided not to include this development in the electorate forecasts for the borough.

Regardless of whether or not the development takes place, it is not possible to accommodate Rossington as a ward in its own right by moving Bawtry and Austerfield into either Finningley or Tickhill & Wadworth wards. This would result in unacceptably high electoral variances in both wards (25%, and 40% respectively).

We are not persuaded that we have received sufficient evidence to justify this change. We have therefore decided to confirm as final, our further draft recommendations for this ward. Tickhill & 2 1% This ward comprises a Support was received for the further draft recommendations Wadworth mix of residential areas from interested parties, including from Tickhill Town Council. and a rural area to the The Council also noted that a small area of Balby, known as south-west of central the Woodlands Plantation estate, had been included in our Doncaster It contains the proposed Tickhill & Wadworth ward for the first time. They parishes of Tickhill, provided some evidence that the residents in this area share Wadworth, Braithwell, facilities locally. We have therefore decided to confirm our Stainton and Loversall. further draft recommendations to include the Woodlands Plantation estate in this ward as final.

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East Doncaster

Number of Variance Ward name Description Detail Cllrs 2019 Armthorpe 3 -10% This ward comprises an We received no submissions specifically relating to this ward. urban east of the town We have therefore decided to confirm our further draft centre. It is coterminous recommendations for this ward as final. with Armthorpe parish. Edenthorpe & 2 -4% This ward comprises a Substantial support has been received from both local Kirk Sandall small densely-populated residents and groups for the further draft recommendations urban area east of which combined Edenthorpe and Kirk Sandall together in a Doncaster town. It ward, and enabled Armthorpe to form its own ward. The Rt comprises Edenthorpe Hon Rosie Winterton MP has also offered her support for these parish and the Kirk proposals. Sandall area of Kirk Sandall & Barnby Dun On touring the area it was evident that the A18 formed a focal parish. point for the Edenthorpe community, whereas the A630 formed a strong divide between Edenthorpe and Armthorpe. We therefore propose to confirm this ward as part of our final recommendations. Stainforth & 2 -9% This ward comprises a Our further draft recommendations combined the communities Barnby Dun mixed rural residential of Stainforth and Barnby Dun in a ward. area to the north-east of Doncaster town. It In response to our consultation, there was significant local comprises Stainforth opposition to this proposal, particularly from the Barnby Dun parish and the Barnby area as it would divide the parish of Kirk Sandall & Barnby Dun Dun area of Kirk Sandall between wards. We have given careful consideration to the & Barnby Dun parish. submissions received. On touring the area we noted that a physical divide does exist between the communities of Kirk Sandall and Barnby Dun in a way that did not exist between Kirk Sandall and Edenthorpe.

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We have therefore decided to confirm as final, our further draft recommendations for this ward. Finningley 3 -1% This ward comprises a A single representation was received during the consultation mixed rural residential period that objected to the inclusion of Cantley in the area to the south-east of Finningley ward. We do not feel that persuasive evidence has Doncaster. It contains the been received to justify changing the ward boundaries in this parishes of Cantley, area. We have therefore decided to confirm as final, our further Auckley, Blaxton & draft recommendations for this ward. Finningley Hatfield 3 -3% This ward comprises a We received no submissions specifically relating to this ward. mixed rural residential We have therefore decided to confirm as final, our further draft area to the east of recommendations for this ward. Doncaster. Thorne & 3 6% This ward comprises a Support was received during consultation for the further draft Moorends mixed rural residential recommendations to keep Thorne and Moorends together in a area to the east of ward. Evidence was received indicating the sense of Doncaster. Its boundary community between the two areas. We therefore propose to is coterminous with that confirm our further draft recommendations for this ward as of the Thorne parish final. boundary.

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Rural Northern Parishes

Number of Variance Ward name Description Detail Cllrs 2019 Norton & 3 -6% This ward comprises a Norton Parish Council supported the further draft Askern mixed rural residential recommendations citing that ‘electoral fairness and community area to the north of unity based on geographical factors as well as social Doncaster. It contains the connections’ has been achieved. parishes of Sykehouse, Fishlake, Kirk Bramwith, Local residents of Hampole parish argued that there is no Moss, Fenwick, Askern, access to the Norton and Askern area from Hampole. They Norton, , indicated that the A1 acts as a strong divide between the Owston and Thorpe-in- areas, as we observed during our tour of Doncaster. We have Balne. decided to include Hampole parish in Sprotbrough ward as part of our final recommendations. We consider this modification better reflects Hampole’s transport and community links.

Representations from local residents highlighted concerns with the boundary we proposed between Skellow (Norton & Askern ward) and Carcroft (Adwick le Street & Carcroft ward), intimating that a community has been divided. This was an issue echoed by Norton parish but none of the submissions provided sufficient evidence or clarity as to where an alternative boundary should run. We have therefore decided to confirm our further draft recommendations as final.

In the east of the ward, we included the villages of Fishlake and Sykehouse. Submissions received have suggested that these areas might be more appropriately included with Stainforth, rather than in Norton & Askern ward. We consider that the potential impact both on local electoral variances and the wider warding arrangements would conflict with our

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statutory considerations. Subject to the transfer of Hampole parish into the Sprotbrough ward, we have decided to confirm our further draft recommendations for this ward as final.

Western Parishes

Number of Variance Ward name Description Detail Cllrs 2019 Adwick le 3 -4% Under our final We received a very large number of submissions objecting to Street & recommendations, this the further draft recommendations for our proposed wards of Carcroft ward will comprise an Adwick le Street & Carcroft and Sprotbrough. This included a urban area broadly east very detailed submission from the Joint Rural Parishes. of the A1(M), north of the town centre. This is an The respondents had concerns that splitting the rural parishes . across three wards as proposed at further draft Sprotbrough 2 11% This ward comprises a recommendations would inhibit the work done by the Joint predominantly rural area Rural Parishes to maintain the strong community links and to the west of Doncaster. preserve historical agricultural connections. They reiterated the It contains the parishes of lack of communality between their villages and the former Hampole, Brodsworth, mining town of Adwick le Street. Residents also highlighted Clayton with Frickley, that the councillors of Adwick le Street though well-versed in Hooton Pagnall, dealing with the needs of their urban population, are unfamiliar Hickleton, Marr, with the needs of a rural community, a sentiment previously Barnburgh, High Melton, echoed by Adwick le Street councillors. Sprotbrough & Cusworth, northern part of Adwick Strong and cohesive evidence was received from local upon Dearne and residents and parish councils from across the whole of western Cadeby. Doncaster regarding Hampole, Skelbrooke, Hooton Pagnall, Clayton with Frickley, Brodsworth, Pickburn, Green Lane, High Melton, Cadeby, Hickleton, Marr and Sprotbrough.

In the light of the evidence received, and with reference to the

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work done by the Joint Rural Parishes, we now recommend a warding pattern in which all the rural villages to the west of Doncaster town be contained within a single two-member ward. We acknowledge the evidence received has demonstrated that Sprotbrough and surrounding rural area is distinct from the more urban Adwick le Street & Carcroft area. We therefore propose to move away from our further draft recommendations for this area and provide for two separate wards as part of our final recommendations.

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Conclusions

60 Table 1 shows the impact of our final recommendations on electoral equality, based on 2013 and 2019 electorate figures.

Table 1: Summary of electoral arrangements

Final recommendations

2013 2019

Number of councillors 55 55

Number of electoral wards 21 21

Average number of electors per councillor 4,119 4,161

Number of wards with a variance more 1 1 than 10% from the average Number of wards with a variance more 0 0 than 20% from the average

Final recommendation Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council should comprise 55 councillors serving 21 wards representing eight two-member wards and 13 three-member wards. The details and names are shown in Table A1 and illustrated on the large map accompanying this report.

Mapping Sheet 1, Map 1 illustrates in outline form the proposed wards for Doncaster You can also view our final recommendations for Doncaster on our interactive maps at https://consultation.lgbce.org.uk

Parish electoral arrangements

61 As part of an electoral review, we are required to have regard to the statutory criteria set out in Schedule 2 to the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 (the 2009 Act). The Schedule provides that if a parish is to be divided between different wards it must also be divided into parish wards, so that each parish ward lies wholly within a single ward. We cannot recommend changes to the external boundaries of parishes as part of an electoral review.

62 Under the 2009 Act we only have the power to make changes to parish electoral arrangements where these are as a direct consequence of our recommendations for principal authority warding arrangements. However, Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council has powers under the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health

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Act 2007 to conduct community governance reviews to effect changes to parish electoral arrangements.

63 As a result of our proposed ward boundaries and having regard to the statutory criteria set out in schedule 2 to the 2009 Act, we are providing revised parish electoral arrangements for Barnby Dun with Kirk Sandall and Sprotbrough parishes.

64 As result of our proposed ward boundaries and having regard to the statutory criteria set out in schedule 2 to the 2009 Act, we are providing revised parish electoral arrangements for Barnby Dun with Kirk Sandall parish.

Final recommendation Barnby Dun with Kirk Sandall Parish Council should comprise 10 councillors, as at present, representing two wards: Barnby Dun (returning five members) and Kirk Sandall (Returning five members) The proposed parish ward boundaries are illustrated and named on Map 1.

65 As a result of our proposed ward boundaries and having regard to the statutory criteria set out in schedule 2 to the 2009 Act, we are providing revised parish electoral arrangements for Sprotbrough parish.

Final recommendation Sprotbrough & Cusworth Parish Council should comprise 17 councillors, as at present, representing seven wards: East (returning four members) Central (returning two members), Stonecross (returning two members), Park (returning two members) Danum (returning one member), Stadium (returning two members) and Cusworth (returning four members). The proposed parish ward boundaries are illustrated and named on Map 1.

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3 What happens next?

66 We have now completed our review of Doncaster Metropolitan District Borough Council. The recommendations must now be approved by Parliament. A draft Order – the legal document which brings into force our recommendations will be laid in Parliament. Subject to parliamentary scrutiny, the new electoral arrangements will come into force at the local elections in May 2015.

Equalities

67 This report has been screened for impact on equalities; with due regard being given to the general equalities duties as set out in section 149 of the Equality Act 2010. As no potential negative impacts were identified, a full equality impact analysis is not required

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Appendix A

Table A1: Final recommendations for Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council

Number of Variance Number of Variance Number of Electorate Electorate Ward name electors per from average electors per from average councillors (2013) (2019) councillor % councillor % 1 Adwick le Street & 3 11,885 3,962 -4% 12,003 4,001 -4% Carcroft 2 Armthorpe 3 11,126 3,709 -10% 11,232 3,744 -10%

3 Balby South 2 7,638 3,819 -7% 7,716 3,858 -7%

4 Bentley 3 13,138 4,379 6% 13,259 4,420 6%

5 Bessacarr 3 11,575 3,858 -6% 11,684 3,895 -6%

6 Conisbrough 3 12,579 4,193 2% 12,712 4,237 2% Edenthorpe & Kirk 7 2 7,922 3,961 -4% 8,008 4,004 -4% Sandall Edlington & 8 2 8,778 4,389 7% 8,858 4,429 6% Warmsworth 9 Finningley 3 12,243 4,081 -1% 12,395 4,132 -1%

10 Hatfield 3 11,914 3,971 -4% 12,048 4,016 -3% Hexthorpe & 11 2 8,248 4,124 0% 8,326 4,163 0% Balby North 12 Mexborough 3 11,722 3,907 -5% 11,842 3,947 -5%

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Table A1 (cont.): Final recommendations for Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council

Number of Variance Number of Variance Number of Electorate Electorate Ward name electors per from average electors per from average councillors (2013) (2019) councillor % councillor % 13 Norton & Askern 3 11,686 3,895 -5% 11,793 3,931 -6%

14 Roman Ridge 2 8,982 4,491 9% 9,077 4,539 9% Rossington & 15 3 13,255 4,418 7% 13,390 4,463 7% Bawtry 16 Sprotbrough 2 9,106 4,553 11% 9,210 4,605 11% Stainforth & 17 2 7,495 3,748 -9% 7,567 3,784 -9% Barnby Dun Thorne & 18 3 13,103 4,368 6% 13,230 4,410 6% Moorends Tickhill & 19 2 8,312 4,156 1% 8,405 4,203 1% Wadworth 20 Town 3 12,681 4,227 3% 12,805 4,268 3% Wheatley Hills & 21 3 13,147 4,382 6% 13,280 4,427 6% Intake Totals 55 226,535 – – 228,840 – – Averages – – 4,119 – – 4,161 –

Source: Electorate figures are based on information provided by Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council.

Note: The ‘variance from average’ column shows by how far, in percentage terms, the number of electors per councillor in each electoral ward varies from the average for the borough. The minus symbol (-) denotes a lower than average number of electors. Figures have been rounded to the nearest whole number. 27

Appendix B

Submissions Received All submissions received can also be viewed on our website at https://www.lgbce.org.uk/current-reviews/yorkshire-and-the-humber/south- /doncaster-fer

Members of Parliament • Rt. Hon. Rosie Winterton MP • Rt. Hon. Caroline Flint MP • Rt. Hon. Ed Miliband MP

Local Authority • Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council – Conservative Group Leader

Political Parties • Bentley Labour Party • Askern Spa Ward Labour Party • Great North Road Branch Labour Party • Don Valley Constituency Labour Party

Town Councils • Bawtry Town Council • Stainforth Town Council • Tickhill Town Council

Parish Councils • Barnby Dun with Kirk Sandall Parish Council • Brodsworth Parish Council • Conisbrough Parks Parish Council • Edenthorpe Parish Council • Fishlake Parish Council • Hickleton Parish Council • Marr Parish Council • Clayton with Frickley Parish Council • Hooton Pagnell Parish Council • Sprotbrough & Cusworth Parish Council • Norton Parish Council • Hampole & Skelbrooke Parish Councils • Joint Rural Parish Councils

Local Groups and Residents • 10th Doncaster Scout Group • Barnby Dun Cricket Club • Kirk Sandall & Edenthorpe Parochial Parish Council • Green Lane NHW • St. Peter’s & St. Paul’s Church, Barnby Dun • 652 other submissions

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30 Appendix C

Glossary and abbreviations

Council size The number of councillors elected to serve on a council

Electoral Change Order (or Order) A legal document which implements changes to the electoral arrangements of a local authority

Division A specific area of a county, defined for electoral, administrative and representational purposes. Eligible electors can vote in whichever division they are registered for the candidate or candidates they wish to represent them on the county council

Electoral fairness When one elector’s vote is worth the same as another’s

Electoral inequality Where there is a difference between the number of electors represented by a councillor and the average for the local authority

Electorate People in the authority who are registered to vote in elections. For the purposes of this report, we refer specifically to the electorate for local government elections

Number of electors per councillor The total number of electors in a local authority divided by the number of councillors

Over-represented Where there are fewer electors per councillor in a ward or division than the average

31 Parish A specific and defined area of land within a single local authority enclosed within a parish boundary. There are over 10,000 parishes in England, which provide the first tier of representation to their local residents

Parish council A body elected by electors in the parish which serves and represents the area defined by the parish boundaries. See also ‘Town council’

Parish (or Town) council electoral The total number of councillors on arrangements any one parish or town council; the number, names and boundaries of parish wards; and the number of councillors for each ward

Parish ward A particular area of a parish, defined for electoral, administrative and representational purposes. Eligible electors vote in whichever parish ward they live for candidate or candidates they wish to represent them on the parish council

Town council A parish council which has been given ceremonial ‘town’ status. More information on achieving such status can be found at www.nalc.gov.uk

Under-represented Where there are more electors per councillor in a ward or division than the average

Variance (or electoral variance) How far the number of electors per councillor in a ward or division varies in percentage terms from the average

Ward A specific area of a district or borough, defined for electoral, administrative and representational purposes. Eligible electors can vote in whichever ward they are registered for the candidate or candidates they wish to represent them on the district or borough council

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