Town's mayor is back in spotlight

Mayor Martin Winter has faced questions during his term of office

It is not the first time Martin Winter has faced calls for his resignation during his reign as Doncaster's elected mayor.

A high profile figure on the Yorkshire political landscape, Mr Winter has faced plenty of questions during his two terms of office.

He was expelled from The Labour Party in May 2008 after forming his own political group - the Labour Group.

Six weeks later, he faced a vote of no confidence from councillors who claimed his conduct was damaging the council's integrity.

Prior to that, Mr Winter was forced to apologise over his council's handling of floods in Toll Bar.

More than 150 people had to leave their homes after the area, near Doncaster, flooded in June 2007.

'Failed community'

Responding to residents' claims that they had been let down, Mr Winter said: "I think it's a fair comment.

"As the elected mayor, the buck stops with me and I have to say I believe I have failed this community."

Calls for Mr Winter to resign were also made in 2006, again by members who disagreed with the direction the council was being taken.

However, Mr Winter has refused to resign and pledged to see out his term of office.

Doncaster Council is one of 12 nationally to be run by an elected mayor.

Mr Winter became the first elected mayor of the town in 2002 and was re-elected in 2005.

The mayor represents Doncaster Council and the borough on a local, national and international platform and is personally accountable for all strategy and policy decisions made.

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