About the Council

Our journey so far

In the five years to 2020, the borough had record levels of employment, house building and investment, together with an increase in the number and variety of businesses. In 2019, the proportion of Doncaster’s young people reaching a Good Level of Development at Early Years Foundation Stage was above the national average and the gap to the national average Attainment 8 scores (GCSEs) had started to close. The long-term trend showed an improvement in healthy life expectancy and good progress being made in enabling people to live independently in the place they call home for as long as possible.

Despite this progress, Doncaster is still the 41st most deprived area in England (out of 317) and quality of life varies significantly across the borough. 

The ‘Doncaster Growing Together’ (DGT) plan (2017-2021) was launched by Team Doncaster as a shared commitment to create a thriving place to live, learn, care and work. It faced up to Doncaster’s deep-rooted challenges, particularly inequalities in health and education, low wages, in-work poverty and the low levels of social mobility that still affect too many people.

Shared improvement programmes have included Get Doncaster Moving (to increase physical activity), Complex Lives (to tackle homelessness), Stronger Families (new ways of supporting families), Well Doncaster (community level health improvements) and the integration of health and care services (to maximise the independence, health and wellbeing of residents).

DGT also prioritised quality jobs with higher wages that local people have the skills to access - to help create a more inclusive economy with higher productivity. Doncaster’s Opportunity Area Programme, Employment Advancement Service and Launchpad Programme have all contributed to this aim. Growth sites such as the iPort and Gateway East at Doncaster Sheffield Airport (DSA) have contributed many jobs to the local economy, together with the thousands of micro businesses that make up 90% of our economy.

Investment in the town centre has included the transformation of the railway station forecourt and the opening of the University Technical College (UTC), Savoy cinema, refurbished Wool Market and Danum Gallery, Library and Museum.

Doncaster Delivering Together (DDT) retains the ambitions of DGT, but adds to them in response to major new challenges and opportunities. COVID has disrupted the borough’s progress and worsened inequalities, especially for those with underlying health conditions. The journey of recovery could be a long and uncertain one for the whole borough, but COVID hasn’t removed the strong foundations we have laid. Instead, it has highlighted the borough’s compassion, cooperation and what we value – including access to greenspace and the people and organisations that provide the essentials of life, for example food and health support.

Doncaster’s declaration of a Climate and Biodiversity Emergency in 2019 marked a shift to a more regenerative borough that renews and improves what we have, for example by reducing waste, reusing and recycling products and enhancing our countryside. DDT has six Wellbeing Goals to aim for, along with clear actions and new ways of delivering them. Doncaster is the largest metropolitan borough by area in England with a growing population and the assets and talent to match many cities. Expectations of what is possible are increasing locally, regionally and nationally. In the next stage of our journey we can meet those expectations – in ways that are noticeable across the borough and welcomed by future generations.

Political Composition

Doncaster Council is led by an Elected Mayor and cabinet.

The Mayor:

• is the council's political leader and is elected by Doncaster constituents to serve a four-year term of office.
• has executive powers and is responsible for the effective implementation of council policy and delivering services.
• has nine cabinet members to advise, support and lead on their own specific portfolio.

Make up of Doncaster Council after 2021 Local Elections

Click here for more information on the Local Elections 2021.