1-in-3 savings in Doncaster Council's 2025/26 budget now 'not achievable', papers show

Of the 31 savings targeted in the council’s budget for 2025/26, the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) has found 11 are already deemed “not achievable” at the end of the third quarter.

It includes a target for “increase revenue” from the Danum Gallery, Library and Museum (DGLAM) Cafe, which the report states is not achievable because “the Café income goes to the corporate landlord”.

A number of other proposed savings are yet to be achieved with one quarter of the year to go.

Alternatives for each of the unachievable savings were carved out in the 2026/27-2028/29 budget period approved by councillors in February.

However, Reform UK Councillor Jason Charity has slammed the Labour administration running the council, accusing Mayor Ros Jones of hypocrisy over her attacks to his party’s budget amendment.

The Conisbrough ward councillor said: “The Mayor attacked our budget for having savings to be identified in future years. The CFO certified it anyway.

“Now their own report shows savings written off with no replacement, no plan, no one responsible. I couldn’t have written a better illustration of Labour’s double standards in action.”

Cllr Charity also expressed unhappiness with the council’s decision to use earmarked reserves to cover a projected £5.2million overspend at the end of the financial year.

Using reserves to cover an overspend is a normal method for local authorities, but is not considered sustainable in the long-term.

The Local Government Association website states earmarked reserves are intended for known risks, such as insurance, with unallocated reserves intended for unexpected budgetary pressures.

“They’re using reserves set aside for risk and transformation to make the overspend disappear on paper,” Cllr Charity said.

“The underlying pressures haven’t gone anywhere. They’ve just moved them into next year,” he added.

In response, Debbie Hogg, director of corporate resources at the council, said: “As detailed in the report our pressures have increased by more than anticipated when the 25/26 budget was set, mainly in Adult Social Care Services, which is a similar position to many councils.

“The council has a statutory duty to balance in year expenditure and income as such available resources have been reviewed to address this matter.

“As a financially well-run council we have considered and propose to redirect earmarked reserves, held for other purposes, to meet the projected overspends.

“Of the 25/26 savings, 57% have been met as intended, 21% have been met through other means on an ongoing basis and 9% have been met on a one-off basis, leaving 13% underachieved in 2025/26.”