City of Doncaster

Population statistics

According to the 2011 census, the population of the Metropolitan Borough of Doncaster is 302,400.

With approximately 110,000 inhabitants, the city of Doncaster itself contains around a third of the population of the entire borough. Around half of the borough's population reside within Doncaster's urban area (approximately 160,000).

Verified population statistics per Ward from the 2001 census are shown as

Elected mayor

A referendum was held in 2001, to decide if a directly elected mayor should be appointed. The first mayor, Martin Winter, representing the Labour Party, was elected in 2002 and successfully defended his post in 2005.

In 2009 the English Democrat candidate, Peter Davies, won the election for mayor. In January 2013 Davies left the English Democrats citing "a big influx of new members (of the English Democrats) joining from the British National Party". In the May 2013 mayoral election he was defeated by Labour's Ros Jones.

Borough council

Main article: City of Doncaster Council

The council as a whole has been dominated by the Labour Party traditionally, but in the 2004 local elections, they lost overall control of the council (though they retained more councillors than any other single party). Labour regained overall control at the 2010 local elections.

2010 Audit Commission report and central government intervention

In January 2010, the Audit Commission initiated a corporate governance inspection of Doncaster Council. This followed the sudden resignation of the Chief executive leading to a conflict between the mayor and council over the appointment of a successor. The Commission felt that this, along with evidence that the council had not been well run for 15 years, was leading to a loss of public confidence.

The Commission's report was issued in April 2010. It found that Doncaster was a dysfunctional authority and that there were three factors preventing the council from providing good governance:

• The councillors' attempts to undermine the authority of the mayor and cabinet. There was evidence that councillors had never accepted the mayoral system and tried to use their overview and scrutiny powers to frustrate the mayor's policy objectives. In February 2010, the council had rejected the mayor's budget and voted in favour of their own proposals.
• The lack of effective leadership shown by the mayor and cabinet. The mayor was described as "not averse to provocative and inflammatory statements" and it was felt that he "does not always act in a way which demonstrates the need for an elected mayor to lead his authority and represent all the people in Doncaster".
• The failure of chief officers to deliver effectively services. Some senior officers were found to acquiesce in the councillors' misuse of scrutiny powers. There was also a lack of trust and impartiality.

On the recommendations of the commission, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, John Denham, used powers to appoint an acting chief executive and an advisory board to oversee the council.

Places

Settlements in the Borough of Doncaster include:

• Adwick-le-Street, Almholme, Arksey, Armthorpe, Askern, Auckley, Austerfield
• Balby, Barnburgh, Barnby Dun, Bawtry, Belle Vue, Bentley, Bessacarr, Blaxton, Braithwaite, Braithwell, Branton, Brodsworth, Burghwallis
• Cadeby, Campsall, Cantley, Carcroft, Clayton, Clifton, Conisbrough, Cusworth
• Denaby, Doncaster, Dunscroft, Dunsville
• Edenthorpe, Edlington
• Fenwick, Finningley, Fishlake
• Hampole, Harlington, Hatfield, Hatfield Woodhouse, Hayfield, Haywood, Hexthorpe, Highfields, Hickleton, High Levels, High Melton, Hooton Pagnell, Hyde Park
• Intake
• Kirk Sandall, Kirk Bramwith
• Lakeside, Lindholme, Loversall
• Marr, Mexborough, Micklebring, Moorends, Moss
• New Rossington, Norton
• Owston
• Rossington
• Scawsby, Scawthorpe, Shaftholme, Skelbrooke, Skellow, Sprotbrough, Stainforth, Stainton, South Yorkshire, Sykehouse
• Thorne, Thorpe in Balne, Tickhill, Tilts, Toll Bar, Town Moor
• Wadworth, Warmsworth, West Bessacarr, Wheatley, Wheatley Hills, Woodlands

Media

In terms of television, the area is served by BBC Yorkshire and ITV Yorkshire broadcasting from the Emley Moor transmitter.

Radio stations that can be received in Doncaster are Sine FM 102.6 (serving central districts of around 100,000 households in FM stereo), TMCR 95.3 (which serves Northeast Doncaster and other areas in FM stereo), TX1 Radio (covering Doncaster and Bassetlaw), Capital Yorkshire, Heart Yorkshire, Greatest Hits Radio Yorkshire, Hits Radio South Yorkshire and BBC Radio Sheffield. Although the above stations can be received within various areas of Doncaster, the only stations actually owned by Doncaster-based companies are Sine FM 102.6 and TMCR 95.3.

The borough is also the base of Nova Productions who produce the syndicated TV series Walks Around Britain.

Freedom of the Borough

The following people and military units have received the Freedom of the Borough of Doncaster.

Individuals

• 8 July 1751: John Dawnay, 4th Viscount Downe, British Politician.
• 8 July 1751: Charles Watson-Wentworth, 2nd Marquess of Rockingham, British Prime Minister.
• 8 July 1751: John Manners, Marquess of Granby, British Army Officer.
• 23 September 1806: Prince of Wales.
• 23 September 1806: Duke of Clarence.
• 17 September 1822: Duke of Sussex
• 15 September 1829: Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, British Army Officer and Later Prime Minister.
• 14 August 2017: Lance Bombardier Ben Parkinson, British Paratrooper wounded in Afghanistan.
• 25 February 2019: Tony Sockett, Former Mayor of Doncaster.
• 22 March 2019: Yvonne Woodcock, Mayor of Doncaster 1998–1999.
• 22 March 2022: James Coppinger, Footballer for Doncaster Rovers 2004–2021.
• 13 July 2023: Graham Kirkham, Baron Kirkham, British Businessman and Politician.

Military Units

• The King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry: 1945.
• RAF Finningley: 1975.
• The Rifles: 8 September 2007.
• The Coldstream Guards: 15 July 2021.

References

References

1. "Doncaster Local Authority".
2. (31 August 2022). "Doncaster: Residents choose newest city's new name".
3. "Doncaster City Status Naming".
4. (24 August 2022). "What should Doncaster be called now it has gained city status?". ITV News.
5. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/south_yorkshire/8084538.stm English Democrat wins mayor vote] BBC News 5 June 2009
6. [http://www.doncaster.gov.uk/Living_in_Doncaster/The_Mayor_and_Council/voting_elections_democracy/Elections/Mayoral/Mayoral_Election_2009_Results.asp Mayoral results 2009] {{webarchive. link. (11 June 2009 www.doncaster.gov.uk. Retrieved 6 June 2009)
7. (5 February 2013). "Doncaster mayor quits English Democrats 'because of BNP'".
8. (19 May 2010). "Doncaster council". [[BBC News]].
9. Butler, Patrick. (19 April 2010). "Ministers take over 'dysfunctional' Doncaster council". [[The Guardian]].
10. (April 2010). "Corporate Governance Inspection: Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council". [[Audit Commission (United Kingdom).
11. "Meetings". Doncaster Recovery Board.
12. (May 2004). "Emley Moor (Kirklees, England) Full Freeview transmitter".
13. (7 June 2012). "Freedom of Doncaster".
14. "Hometown honours injured soldier". BBC News.
15. "Ben Parkinson to receive the Freedom of the Borough | Business Doncaster".
16. "Tony Sockett receives Freedom of the Borough".
17. (3 April 2019). "Doncaster resident receives 'Freedom of the Borough' Award". Doncaster Echo.
18. "The Queen's Birthday Honours List". Doncaster Council.
19. "Yvonne can 'take her sheep down the High Street'".
20. "Coppinger to be presented with Freedom of the Borough on May 21".
21. Goodwin, Paul. (22 March 2022). "Doncaster Rovers legend James Coppinger receives Freedom of the Borough".
22. "James Coppinger presented with Freedom of the Borough".
23. Mower, Shannon. (15 July 2023). "DFS founder Lord Kirkham granted freedom of the city of Doncaster".
24. "TOP BRASS: Lieutenant General Nick Parker receives(sic) the Freedom of the Borough scrolls from Chair of Council Tony Sockett and Mayor Winter, and right, veterans from the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry and Light Infantry. Pictures: MARIE CALEY D8661".
25. Torr, George. (11 July 2021). "Yorkshire town to bestow 'Freedom of Entry' to prestigious Coldstream Guards".
26. "Doncaster Freedom of Entry presented to the Coldstream Guards".