The Cabinet of Derbyshire County Council met on Thursday, 10 September 2026, approving the Derbyshire Employment and Skills Strategy 2026-30 and a collaboration agreement with Elvaston Castle and Gardens Trust. The meeting also addressed the delivery of the Highways Capital Programme, allocations for Children's Services, and the Local Government Reorganisation programme.

Highways Capital Programme Delivery

The Cabinet noted the delivery of £17.500m of highways maintenance activities in the first quarter of the 2026-27 Highways Capital Programme. They also acknowledged the securing of additional external funding for priority schemes outside the core programme, including investment through the Safer Roads Fund and targeted funding for A6 retaining walls and countywide landslip mitigation works. This funding aims to enable further improvements across the highway network.

Derbyshire Employment and Skills Strategy 2026-2030

The Cabinet formally adopted the Derbyshire Employment and Skills Strategy 2026-30. This strategy aims to create a more inclusive, resilient, and productive employment and skills system in Derbyshire by 2030, enabling residents of all ages and backgrounds to access good-quality work and supporting employers to thrive. The Cabinet also supported the development of an Action Plan for the strategy's implementation, delegating the approval of the final plan and any subsequent amendments to the Executive Director of Place, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance and Efficiency (DOGE).

Collaboration Agreement with Elvaston Castle and Gardens Trust

The Cabinet approved the Council entering into a Collaboration Agreement with Elvaston Castle and Gardens Trust. This agreement includes the payment of grant funding to the Trust of £0.50m per annum for the period 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2031, representing a total funding commitment of £0.250m. This partnership aims to support the long-term future of the Elvaston Estate through community participation, volunteering, heritage interpretation, educational engagement, and fundraising.

Children's Services Funding Allocations

The Cabinet approved the allocation of funding from the Children's Services School Condition Allocation and High Needs Provision Capital Allocation budgets. This funding will support necessary adaptations within maintained schools for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Additionally, £125,000 was approved to front-fund a project at South Wingfield Primary School from the School Condition Allocation, to be reimbursed by anticipated Section 106 Developer Contributions. The Cabinet also approved the transfer of £525,000 from the Children's Services Basic Need 2023/24 budget to Drakelow Flying High Academy Primary School via a legal agreement.

Children's Services Allocation of Section 106 Developer Contributions

The Cabinet noted the receipt and approved the allocation of Section 106 developer contributions to various projects aimed at improving educational opportunities, learning environments, and school capacity across Derbyshire. These allocations align with individual Section 106 agreements. The Cabinet also noted a change in the scheme for previously approved Developer Contributions for Hulland Primary School, and the receipt of Section 106 Developer Contributions intended to repay the Children's Services Capital budget. Furthermore, the transfer of £811,772.42 in Section 106 Developer Contributions directly to Derby Diocesan Academy Trust for a self-managed project at Bolsover C of E Junior School was approved.

Treasury Management Report 2026/27 (Quarter 1)

The Cabinet noted the report on Treasury Management activities during the first quarter of 2026-27, ending 30 June 2026. The report confirmed the Council's compliance with the prudential indicators set by the Council on 11 February 2026, in accordance with the CIPFA Code. The report detailed borrowing and investment activities, highlighting a net borrowing decrease of £62.500m during the quarter and an overall investment position of £94.692m.

Capital Budget Monitoring and Forecast 2026/27 (Quarter 1)

The Cabinet noted the current position on the monitoring of the Council's Capital Programme for 2026-27 as at 30 June 2026. The report indicated an overall projected underspend of £10.430m across the programme life, with variances noted in Adult Social Care & Health, Children's Services, Corporate Services and Transformation, and Place portfolios. Significant reprofiling of budgets to future years was highlighted, particularly within Children's Services and Place.

Performance Monitoring and Budget Monitoring/Forecast Outturn 2026/27 (Quarter 1)

The Cabinet received an update on Council Plan performance and the Revenue Budget outturn position for 2026-27 as at 30 June 2026. The Council is forecasting a net underspend of £1.183m against the Revenue Budget of £820.425m, with savings delivery largely on track. However, specific portfolios, including Adult Care, Children's Services, and Highways, are forecasting overspends, which are being addressed through action plans. The report also detailed the significant accumulated deficit on the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG), projected to reach £173.845m by March 2027, and noted the potential impact of government funding support for these deficits. The Cabinet approved the use of reserves to support the restructure of the SEND Service and sought approval to extend the use of Flexible Capital Receipts for Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) preparation costs.

Local Government Reorganisation Programme: Phase 2 Implementation

The Cabinet approved proposals for Derbyshire County Council to act as the host authority for the LGR Implementation Reserve and as the Contracting Authority for the procurement of a Delivery Partner for LGR, on behalf of all ten councils in Derby and Derbyshire. Authority was delegated to the Executive Director of Corporate Services and Transformation to finalise procurement and award contracts, subject to compliant processes and the establishment of an Inter-Authority Agreement. The Cabinet also noted that Derbyshire County Council may be asked to act as contracting authority for other LGR-related contracts, adding £2m to the commercial pipeline, and potentially as the employer for LGR programme roles. Delegated authority was granted to agree the Heads of Terms for the Inter-Authority Agreement and to enter into the agreement itself.

Request to Increase Contract Value for PLACE136 Road Markings

The Cabinet approved the recommendations contained within a not for publication report regarding an increase to the contract value for PLACE136 Road Markings.

The meeting concluded at 12:11 pm.