Deputy Doncaster mayor warns of 'significant financial challenge' ahead for Doncaster Council
Council papers forecast a series of budget deficits to the end of the decade, if nothing is done to improve the situation.
The City of Doncaster Council faces a ‘significant financial challenge’ in the coming years, the deputy Mayor of Doncaster has said.
Councillor Glyn Jones, Mayor Ros Jones’ deputy and cabinet member for environment and housing, told a cabinet meeting on November 4, 2026, that assumptions behind a series of projected budget deficits to the end of this decade represent ‘a point in time’.
He told the meeting: “A number of assumptions underpinning the forecast will continue to be refined in the coming months.
“Whilst assumptions may change, the forecast continues to indicate a significant financial challenge over the medium term.”
Cabinet were discussing the recently published Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS), which forecast deficits of £10.7million in 2027/28; £8.2million in 2028/29; and £9.8million in 2029/30.
These projections are based on the unlikely assumptions that nothing changes throughout the entire period.
Coun Jones, who was leading the meeting in Mayor Ros Jones’ absence, said work was continuing to identify potential savings and other mitigating actions in various council departments.
“However, substantial further savings and mitigations will be required to let the council set a balanced, sustainable budget for 2027/28 and further financial years,” he said.
Previous financial reports have suggested Doncaster Council will overspend its 2026/27 budget as well.
It is the responsibility of Mayor Jones and her cabinet to deliver council services within the budget approved by full council.
In February 2026, the Reform UK-majority council amended the Labour cabinet’s budget, slashing the council tax increase from 4.99 per cent to just two per cent, with the cut funded through phased pay restoration for staff and a series of other savings.
Financial officials said the amendment was balanced on paper, but warned the new additional savings identified by Reform would be challenging to achieve.
Like many local authorities across the country, Coun Jones said spending on adult social care, children’s services, public health and waste continued to put pressure on the council purse.