The Derbyshire County Council meeting scheduled for Wednesday, 11 February 2026, was set to cover a wide range of significant topics, including the adoption of the Revenue Budget for 2026-27, the Capital Programme, and the Council Plan for 2026-29. The meeting agenda also included discussions on the Council's reserves position and policy, treasury management, and changes to committee memberships.

Council Plan 2026-29 and Departmental Plans 2026-29

A key item on the agenda was the proposed Council Plan for 2026-29, which sets out the council's vision and strategic objectives for the next four years. This plan aims to improve lives across Derbyshire by focusing on three core outcomes: Communities where people live safe, healthy, independent lives, Great places to live and work, and Local, high-quality council services. The plan details specific actions within these outcomes, such as giving children the best start in life, promoting good physical and mental health, tackling poverty, boosting the local economy, protecting the environment, maintaining roads, and improving customer service. The Departmental Plans for Adult Social Care and Health, Children's Services, Corporate Services and Transformation, and Place were also scheduled for approval, outlining how each department will contribute to the overarching Council Plan. An Equality Impact Assessment for the Council Plan was also provided, highlighting potential impacts on various groups and outlining mitigation strategies.

Revenue Budget Report 2026-27

The meeting was scheduled to consider the Revenue Budget for 2026-27, a key decision that will shape the council's financial priorities for the upcoming year. The report detailed significant budget pressures, particularly in Children's Social Care and Adult Social Care, driven by increasing demand and rising costs. It outlined proposed savings requirements across departments and a limited use of reserves to fund these pressures, alongside an increase in Council Tax. The report included the Section 151 Officer's statement on the robustness of the budget estimates and the adequacy of reserves, noting the challenging financial situation and the reliance on the delivery of proposed savings and efficiencies for future financial sustainability. The agenda also included the Budget Consultation Results, indicating that residents broadly supported joint working with other councils as a cost-saving measure, while increasing Council Tax was the least supported option.

Capital Programme Approvals, Treasury Management and Capital Strategies for 2026-27

The meeting was set to address the Capital Programme, including approvals for new capital starts and the detailed Planned Asset Maintenance Programme for 2026-27. This included proposals for new borrowing totalling £27.535 million for projects commencing over the period. Additionally, the Treasury Management Strategy, Investment Strategy, Capital Strategy, Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) policy, and the Flexible Use of Capital Receipts Strategy for 2026-27 were scheduled for adoption. These strategies outline the council's approach to managing its cash flows, borrowing, investments, and associated risks, aiming to balance risk and return while ensuring prudent financial management.

Reserves Position and Reserves Policy

The meeting was scheduled to consider the Reserves Position and Reserves Policy. This report aimed to provide an update on the current and forecast positions for both General and Earmarked Reserves and to seek approval for the Reserves Policy. The report highlighted the importance of maintaining adequate reserves to manage financial risks and noted that reserves cannot be relied upon to support future years' spending, emphasizing the need for savings proposals to manage future budget pressures.

Change to Committee Memberships

A minor change to the Constitution was proposed, specifically regarding the Trading Standards Service's enforcement legislation. This was a retrospective notification to Council for noting, following a decision made by the Director of Legal and Democratic Services under delegated authority. The change aimed to update the list of legislation under which the Trading Standards Service can take enforcement action, ensuring accuracy and compliance.

Derbyshire Pension Board

The reappointment of Susan Ambler as an Employer Representative to the Derbyshire Pension Board for a further four-year term was scheduled for approval. Mrs. Ambler, the Chief Financial Officer at the University of Derby, was recommended for reappointment following a recruitment process and a positive discussion with the Pension Board Chair and Fund's Pension Services Manager. Her reappointment aims to ensure continued employer representation on the board, which assists the administering authority in securing compliance with pension legislation and ensuring effective governance and administration of the Local Government Pension Scheme.

Motions

Several motions were scheduled for consideration:

• Motion One: Annual Road Condition Report & Forward Works Plan: This motion called for the publication of an annual road condition report, an interactive online map for residents to view road conditions and planned works, and a commitment to quarterly updates on planned maintenance.
• Motion Two: Asylum Hotels in Derbyshire: This motion urged the Council Leader to write to Derbyshire MPs requesting a clear timeline from the Home Office for the closure of all asylum hotels in Derbyshire. It also called for borough and district councils to only meet minimum statutory duties regarding housing asylum seekers and to avoid placing them in Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) without a local connection.

Elected Member Questions

Elected members were scheduled to ask a series of questions to various Cabinet Members and the Leader of the Council, covering topics such as the Leader's correspondence with the King, the external audit for the year ending 31 March 2024, the slow progress of repairs to a bridge on Somersall Lane, and the maintenance of trees on Walton Road. Other questions related to the Council's approach to flag flying policies, the promotion of inclusivity and diversity, the Sinfin waste treatment facility, pavement deterioration due to inadequate weed control, library closures, adult education centres, the safety of vaccines and public health, the SEND improvement journey, developer contributions for pedestrian crossings, the use of single-track country lanes by large vehicles, the use of roadmender asphalt, the logic behind prioritising residential roads for repairs, and the use of recycled tyre asphalt.