The Cabinet of Derbyshire County Council met on Thursday, 19 February 2026, to discuss the progress of the Highways Capital Programme and approve additions to the commercial pipeline. They also considered and approved recommendations regarding surface dressing contracts and urgent carriageway patching works.

Highways Capital Programme Update

Councillor Charlotte Hill, Cabinet Member for Potholes, Highways and Transport, presented an update on the delivery of the 2025-26 Highways Capital Programme. The programme, which totals over £41 million, is funded by allocations from the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) and direct grants from central government for Highways Maintenance and Integrated Transport. The Cabinet noted that additional funding has been received for specific schemes, including the Safer Roads Fund, A6 Retaining Walls, and countywide landslips, which are not covered by the standard maintenance allocations.

A key decision made was to approve additions to the Place Department Commercial Pipeline. This is a requirement under the Public Procurement Act 2023, which mandates public bodies to publish their procurement intentions. The additions to the pipeline include a range of highway-related procurements, such as drainage surveys and maintenance, fencing and barriers, signs, retaining walls, bridge maintenance, and landslip remediation projects. These are scheduled to commence between April 2026 and September 2026, with contract values ranging from £1 million to £30 million. Councillor Hill clarified that the £5 million identified for retaining walls is to provide additional external capacity for wall building across the county, supplementing the internal resources.

Surface Dressing and Carriageway Patching Works

The Cabinet also considered recommendations for surface dressing and urgent carriageway patching works. Councillor Hill introduced a report seeking approval to increase the value of the Surface Dressing contract, PLACE 166. The details of this increase were contained within a not-for-publication report, and the Cabinet resolved to approve the recommendation.

Furthermore, a report was presented seeking approval to conduct a procurement exercise for urgent carriageway patching works required before the 2026 surface dressing programme. The Cabinet resolved to approve the recommendation contained within the not-for-publication report for this procurement exercise.

Minority Group Leader Questions

Councillor A Clarke, Leader of the Labour Group, asked a question regarding the £5 million allocated for retaining walls within the Highways Capital Programme, seeking clarification on whether this was in addition to existing funds for the A6 retaining walls. Councillor Hill confirmed that the £5 million is intended to provide additional external capacity for wall building throughout the county. A second question from Councillor Clarke was addressed in the exempt part of the meeting.