The upcoming Derbyshire Council meeting on 10 December 2025 will address several key issues, including the appointment of a new Chief Executive, revisions to the council's constitution, and budget monitoring. Councillors will also consider public and elected member questions, as well as notices of motion.

Appointment of Chief Executive

The council will consider the appointment of a replacement interim Head of Paid Service, effective from 22 December 2025, based on the recommendation of a selection panel. The report pack states that the council will also consider the appointment of Neil Crittenden as Chief Executive and Head of Paid Service on a fixed-term contract until 31 March 2028. Neil Crittenden is currently Interim Vice President of Alton Towers. The report pack says that councillors will also consider the adoption of a performance-related pay policy for the Chief Executive, with a maximum performance-related payment of £20,000 per year. The report pack notes that trade unions opposed the introduction of performance related pay for the Chief Executive.

Revisions to the Constitution

Councillors will consider revisions to the council's constitution, specifically regarding standing orders related to contracts and the role of the Chairman of the Council.

Standing Orders Related to Contracts

The report pack states that the proposed redraft of the Standing Orders Relating to Contracts has been supported by the Governance, Ethics and Standards Committee and Audit Committee. The revisions aim to:

• Embed the council's One Council approach to procurement
• Remove ambiguity in procurement roles, responsibilities and processes
• Provide clear expectations around contract management
• Drive consistency, efficiency and accountability in procurement activity across all directorates
• Ensure that council funds are spent compliantly, commercially and deliver value for money
• Reflect new statutory obligations introduced by the Procurement Act 2023, Procurement Regulations 2024 and the Procurement Selection Regime

Key updates include upfront approval for non-pipeline procurements, inclusion of digital procurement, introduction of a Consultancy Spend Board, governance for joint procurements, a refined contract valuation process, formal guidance on trial procurements and proof of concept initiatives, a new structured risk assessment process, enhanced conflict of interest protocols, mandatory exit planning for contracts, formal recognition of pre-market engagement, integration of statutory provisions for excluding suppliers, clear inclusion of rules under the new Provider Selection Regime, new procedures for procurement abandonment, a risk-based waiver process, inclusion of provisions for the legal transfer of contracts between suppliers, compliance with requirements to publish redacted versions of awarded contracts, new obligations to publish payment performance and key performance indicators for high-value contracts, and new procedures and governance requirements for early contract termination.

Standing Orders Relating to the Chairman of the Council Role

The report pack states that councillors will consider amendments to Appendix 3 of the constitution to allow for the current role of Civic Chairman to be combined with the role of Chairman of the Council.

Performance Monitoring and Budget Monitoring

The council will receive an update on Council Plan performance and the Revenue Budget and forecast outturn for 2025-26, as at 30 September 2025 (Quarter 2). The report pack notes that as at Quarter 2, the forecast net overspend is £1.383m against a Revenue Budget for 2025-26 of £767.684m. The report pack also notes that savings delivery is on track in most areas, but continuing demand and cost pressures in Children's Social Care will result in expenditure being significantly in excess of budget. The report pack states that as at Quarter 2, progress against the 25 Strategic Objectives outlined in the 2025-29 Council Plan shows that 20 (80%) have good progress, with 3 requiring review and 2 requiring action.

Flexible Use of Capital Receipts

The report pack states that councillors will consider amendments relating to the flexible use of capital receipts strategy.

Highways Depot Improvement Works

The report pack states that councillors will consider a virement¹ of £2.432m Capital Borrowing and £1.833m revenue funding from Place to Corporate Services and Transformation for the Highways Depot Improvement Works.

Public Questions

Members of the public have submitted questions to the council on a range of topics, including:

• The provision of community support beds following the closure of Babington Hospital
• National Grid plans to erect pylons across Derbyshire
• The ecological benefits of solar farms
• The use of natural flood management measures
• The council's support for a solar farm in Williamthorp
• The council's policy on flying flags on lampposts
• The council's policies on inclusivity and diversity
• The possibility of a ban on fracking in Derbyshire
• The council's progress in reducing contract expenditure
• The council's plans to mitigate the impacts of climate change on public health

Other items

The agenda for the meeting also includes:

• Prayers
• Apologies for absence
• Declarations of interest
• Chairman's announcements
• Confirmation of the minutes of previous meetings
• Report of the Leader of the Council and Members' questions
• Petitions
• Changes to Committee Memberships
• Elected Member questions
• Notices of Motion