A Doncaster library user (Ms. Carol Buck), aggrieved at cuts made by former elected mayor, Peter Davies, failed to persuade the Court of Appeal that the Mayor's decision (previously upheld by the High Court) was unlawful.

Nevertheless, in its judgment on 8 October 2013 (R (Buck) v. Doncaster MBC) the Court of Appealdid usefully clarify an important legal point. This was whether full Council can effectively overturn a decision of the Council's Cabinet (or Executive) by making contrary budget provision. In line with the High Court below, the answer from the Court of Appeal was a resounding no.

What happened