Doncaster Council have to pay up to move meeting to Racecourse as Government orders councillors off Zoom and back into face-to-face meetings

The council usually holds its annual general meeting (AGM) at Mansion House on High Street but social distancing restrictions means the meet will be held at a larger function hall at Doncaster Racecourse.

The AGM is held every year in May and it will be the first time all councillors will be back together since meetings were moved online in March 2020.

But it is understood that the council will be out of pocket and will not be reimbursed for having to hold the meeting at Doncaster Racecourse.

The Government ruled that council meetings could no longer be held exclusively online and ordered councillors up and down the country back into town halls while respecting the current restrictions.

But the department responsible set up a consultation on the issue of virtual meetings including if they could continue in some form. DMBC has sent their recommendations to form part of the evidence.

Doncaster Council spokesman did not answer when asked how much it had cost the authority but said: “The council will meet the additional costs incurred by holding the meeting at Doncaster Racecourse.”

The meeting will see over 20 new councillors make their debut following on from the election on May 7.

Labour lost four seats but gained one from an independent and retained the elected mayor post with Ros Jones. The Conservatives gained three seats and are still the largest opposition party with 11 councillors.

The AGM also selects a ceremonial mayor to carry out functions on behalf of the council as well as the announcement of new heads of committees who hold officers and cabinet members to account.

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