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Derbyshire: School Transport Changes Spark Concern for Families

This week in Derbyshire:

Home to School Transport Changes Could Hit Low-Income Families

Derbyshire County Council is proposing changes to its Home to School Transport Policy that could disproportionately affect low-income families and those with children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The cabinet approved a public consultation on the proposed changes at its meeting on 4 December 2025, but the potential impact on vulnerable families is raising concerns. You can find the full details of the meeting here.

Spare Seat Charges and Pick-Up Points Spark Worry

The proposed changes include revising spare seat charges for children not eligible for free school transport, introducing pick-up points for specialised transport arrangements, and changing the qualifying criteria for Extended Rights for Low-Income Families. These changes could mean:

  • Increased costs for families who rely on spare seats for their children to get to school.
  • Longer travel times and less convenient pick-up locations for children with SEND.
  • Reduced eligibility for free transport for low-income families.

The council claims that the changes are necessary to modernise the policy and ensure that it is financially sustainable. However, critics argue that the changes could create additional barriers for vulnerable families and undermine the council's commitment to supporting children's education.

Consultation Needed to Address Concerns

The council is encouraging residents to participate in the public consultation to share their views on the proposed changes. It is crucial that the council listens to the concerns of families and takes steps to mitigate any negative impacts on vulnerable groups.

Pension Fund Investments Under Scrutiny Amidst Economic Uncertainty

The Derbyshire Pension Fund's investment strategy is under review as the Pensions and Investments Committee considers the impact of global economic uncertainty and government requirements. The committee met on 3 December 2025 to discuss the fund's asset allocation, investment activity, and long-term performance. You can find the full details of the meeting here. No video was provided.

Cautious Approach to Equity Markets

Anthony Fletcher, the Fund's independent external advisor, expressed caution on equity markets, particularly global sustainable equities, due to valuation concerns. This cautious approach reflects the ongoing economic uncertainty and the need to protect the fund's assets.

Changes to Funding Strategy Statement

The committee was scheduled to consider the Fund's draft updated Funding Strategy Statement, which sets out the funding policies adopted, the methodology for determining actuarial assumptions, and the time horizons considered for each category of employer. The updated statement includes several changes, such as:

  • The target funding level may be set greater than 100% as a buffer against future adverse experience.
  • Increased likelihoods of success for all categories of employer, recognising increased uncertainty in the funding environment.
  • The stabilisation approach extended to Town and Parish councils and to Further Education Colleges.

These changes aim to ensure the long-term sustainability of the pension fund and protect the retirement savings of its members.

South Derbyshire Growth Zone Faces Funding Gap Despite Approval of Land Purchase

Derbyshire County Council is pushing ahead with the South Derbyshire Growth Zone (SDGZ) project, approving a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) to acquire land for enabling infrastructure. However, the project faces a significant funding gap of £19.24 million, raising questions about its financial viability. The cabinet approved proceeding with the CPO at its meeting on 4 December 2025. You can find the full details of the meeting here.

Government Grant and Developer Contributions Fall Short

The SDGZ scheme requires a total budget of £77.04 million, with a provisional Government grant of £49.6 million and a minimum £6 million local contribution from developers. The remaining £19.24 million funding gap raises concerns about the project's ability to deliver the promised housing and commercial development.

Council Confident in Finding Solutions

Despite the funding gap, the council expressed confidence that genuine options exist to make the project fundable, based on discussions with the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) and other key stakeholders. However, the lack of a concrete plan to address the funding gap raises questions about the project's future.

Other Matters

Upcoming Meetings

Here are the upcoming meetings in the next 7 days:

  • The Recruitment Panel are scheduled to meet on Monday 08 December 2025 to appoint a chair and conduct interviews for the position of Interim Chief Executive. You can see the meeting details here.
  • The Council are scheduled to meet on Wednesday 10 December 2025 to discuss the appointment of a new chief executive, revisions to standing orders, and budget monitoring. You can see the meeting details here.
  • The Council are scheduled to meet on Wednesday 10 December 2025 to consider the appointment of honorary aldermen and alderwomen. You can see the meeting details here.
  • The Improvement and Scrutiny Committee - Resources are scheduled to meet on Thursday 11 December 2025 to discuss the 2026/27 budget, the council's talent strategy, and the local government reform timeline. You can see the meeting details here.

Derbyshire Single Authority Plan Advances, Health Services Face Changes

This week in Derbyshire:

Council Pushes Ahead with Single Authority Plan Despite Limited Agreement

Derbyshire County Council is moving forward with its proposal to create a single unitary authority for the whole of Derby and Derbyshire, despite acknowledging limited agreement from key stakeholders during public engagement. The Cabinet is scheduled to formally approve the plan at its meeting on 27 November 2025, paving the way for submission to the government by 28 November 2025. You can find the full details of the meeting here.

Uniting Derbyshire : Savings or Service Disruption?

The council argues that a single authority, dubbed Uniting Derbyshire , would streamline services and save money, estimating £98.8 million in benefits after five years and £45.1 million annually thereafter. They claim that creating two unitary councils would cost an additional £80.5 million.

However, the report pack also acknowledges significant concern amongst respondents about splitting the county into multiple authorities .

The council warns that splitting up key services like adult social care, children's services, and public health could lead to:

  • Disrupted care and inconsistent eligibility for vulnerable adults.
  • Fractured safeguarding and referral pathways for children.
  • Loss of expertise and instability in planning and housing.
  • Disrupted data systems and funding disparities in public health.

No Public Consultation Planned

Notably, the council states that there is no requirement for formal consultation with the public and key stakeholders at this stage, with any consultation to be undertaken by the government. This lack of direct public input has drawn criticism from some quarters, who argue that such a significant change should involve more local engagement.

Councillor Alan Graves, Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Strategic Leadership, has previously stated that the single authority plan is the right move to secure the council's financial future.

Health Committee to Discuss Intermediate Care Changes and Ambulance Response Times

The Improvement and Scrutiny Committee - Health met on Monday 24 November 2025 to discuss proposed changes to intermediate care services and receive an update from the East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS). You can find the full details of the meeting here. No video was provided.

Home First Approach to Intermediate Care

The committee was scheduled to consider a report outlining a Case for Change in intermediate care services, which aim to provide short-term rehabilitation and reablement services to help people recover and regain independence. The vision is based on a Home First approach, with the goal of enabling more people to return home after hospital and receive care in their own homes.

The drivers for change include:

  • Capacity issues due to an ageing population.
  • Inconsistent care across different areas.
  • Workforce challenges.
  • The need to improve value for money.

A listening exercise is planned to gather public views on the proposed changes, with specific questions focusing on the vision for intermediate care and how to improve services.

EMAS Update on Response Times

The committee was also scheduled to receive an update from Craig Whyles, Divisional Director (Derbyshire) of EMAS, on efforts to improve category 2 (CAT2) response times. The presentation slides indicated that EMAS is focusing on patient safety, recruitment, and collaboration with other healthcare providers.

Other Matters

  • The Improvement and Scrutiny Committee - Health were scheduled to discuss their work programme for the coming months, with potential topics including learning disabilities, fertility review, stroke rehabilitation, and mental health crisis support.

Upcoming Meetings

Here are the upcoming meetings in the next 7 days:

Derbyshire Focuses on Flood Risk & Searches for New Chief Exec

This week in Derbyshire:

Council Focuses on Flood Preparedness and Severe Weather

The Improvement and Scrutiny Committee - Places met to discuss Derbyshire County Council's preparedness for flooding and severe weather, a critical issue given the county's history of significant weather-related incidents. You can find the full details of the meeting here. The committee reviewed a report outlining the council's responsibilities as a Category 1 Responder under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004, which requires the council to assess risks, create emergency plans, and share information with other responders.

Derbyshire's High Flood Risk

The report highlighted the high risk of both fluvial (river) and pluvial (surface water) flooding in Derbyshire, alongside other severe weather threats like low temperatures, heavy snow, storms, heatwaves, and drought. The council is a key stakeholder in the Derbyshire Resilience Partnership, which acts as the Local Resilience Forum and coordinates resilience efforts in the county.

Community Involvement and Emergency Response

The council has recruited Derbyshire Emergency Volunteers to support those affected by emergencies and has supported the Environment Agency in recruiting community flood wardens. The Emergency Planning Team provides a single point of contact for emergency services and other partners.

Lessons Learned from Past Incidents

The report noted that the council has responded to several significant incidents in recent years, including the major failure of a dam wall at the Todbrook Reservoir in Whaley Bridge. A review has been instructed by the Corporate Management Team to improve the council's overall organisational resilience.

Recruitment Panel Seeks Fixed Term Chief Executive

The Recruitment Panel met to conduct interviews for the position of Fixed Term Chief Executive. You can find the full details of the meeting here. The public was excluded from the interview portion of the meeting due to the confidential nature of the information to be discussed, as permitted under the Local Government Act 1972.

Upcoming Meetings

Here are the upcoming meetings in the next 7 days:

Derbyshire Council Backs Single Authority Plan, Roads to Get Upgrade

This week in Derbyshire:

Council Backs Single Authority Plan Amidst Reorganisation Push

Derbyshire County Council has thrown its weight behind a proposal for a single unitary authority covering the entire Derby and Derbyshire area, a move that could reshape local government in the region. The decision, made at a meeting on 13 November 2025, follows months of analysis and debate, and comes as the government pushes for local government reorganisation (LGR) across England1. You can find the full details of the meeting here.

Uniting Derbyshire: A Vision for the Future?

The council's preferred option, outlined in the Uniting Derbyshire Proposal document, argues that a single authority would streamline services, save money, and give the region a stronger voice.

Councillor Alan Graves, Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Strategic Leadership, claims that:

Creating a single, unified council for Derbyshire and Derby City is the right move to secure our financial future. This isn't about erasing local identity, it's about cutting unnecessary red tape, saving millions in duplicated costs, and reinvesting those savings into the services people rely on and value the most: adult social care, children's services, roads, schools, and community safety.

The proposal estimates savings of £144 million over six years and £45 million annually thereafter.

Concerns Over Disaggregation and Local Identity

While proponents tout the benefits of a single authority, concerns remain about the potential impact on local identity and the disaggregation of existing services. A report prepared for the meeting noted that splitting the county into multiple authorities could concentrate challenges and restrict areas from having the flexibility to cope with changing circumstances and balance service pressure expenditure.

The report also warned that disaggregating major local government services like adult social care, children's social care, highways and transport, public health, and waste disposal could lead to:

  • Fractured commissioning networks and service disruption in adult social care.
  • Disrupted safeguarding and case management in children's services.
  • Instability and loss of expertise in planning, housing, and waste services.
  • Disrupted data systems and co-commissioned contracts in public health.

Cabinet to Make Final Decision

The council's decision to support the single authority proposal is a significant step, but the final decision rests with the Cabinet, which is scheduled to meet on 27 November 2025. The Cabinet will consider the views expressed by the council before submitting its proposal to the government by 28 November 2025.

Highways Programme Gets Green Light, Focus on Fence to Fence Maintenance

Derbyshire's roads are set for a £41.174 million upgrade in 2026-27, with the Cabinet approving a comprehensive highways capital programme. The plan, funded by the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA), prioritises essential repairs and improvements, including carriageway patching, resurfacing, and drainage. You can find the full details of the meeting here.

Fence to Fence Approach Aims to Minimise Disruption

A key change in the programme is the adoption of a Fence to Fence maintenance approach, which means that different types of work will be carried out at the same time to minimise the number of return visits. This could mean less disruption for residents and businesses, as road closures and traffic delays are reduced.

Member-Led Resurfacing Programme for Residential Roads

The Cabinet also approved a £3 million member-led minor residential roads resurfacing programme, giving local councillors more say in which roads get priority.

Homes for Ukraine Funding to Prevent Homelessness

The Cabinet has allocated up to £2.160 million to district and borough councils to support homelessness prevention for Ukrainian refugees under the Homes for Ukraine scheme. You can find the full details of the meeting here.

Supporting Ukrainian Families

Since the launch of the Homes for Ukraine scheme in March 2022, over 1,700 Ukrainian guests have arrived in Derbyshire. The funding will help Ukrainian families rebuild their lives, with strategies including dedicated refugee lead officers, property refurbishment, and rent top-ups.

Joint Ventures Under Review: Trading Committee Examines Performance

The Derbyshire County Council Trading Committee met to review the performance of its joint ventures, Concertus Derbyshire Limited, Vertas Derbyshire Limited, and Develop Renew. You can find the full details of the meeting here. The committee heard presentations from Concertus Derbyshire Limited and Vertas Derbyshire Limited, and discussed the council's role as shareholder and customer of the joint ventures.

Joint Ventures Launched During Significant Transformation

The report pack noted that the joint ventures were launched during a period of significant transformation for the council, including a deepening budget crisis and the onset of Covid restrictions. It also noted that internal resources for managing change and developing new ways of working were underestimated, which led to challenges from the outset.

Vertas Derbyshire Achieves Savings and Award

The presentation slides noted that VDL had worked in partnership with DCC to achieve savings of over £1.07 million in revenue costs through site closures, service reductions, and re-costings.

The presentation also stated that Vertas Group has been honoured with the 2025 Kings Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development2.

Other Matters

  • The Cabinet approved an amended Whistleblowing Policy, strengthening the link between the policy and the Anti-Fraud Anti-Corruption Strategy.
  • The Cabinet approved allocations to projects outlined in Appendix 2 for Childrens Services Section 106 Allocations, totaling £164,897.12.
  • The Cabinet approved additional spending of £2.012m for the Ashbourne Reborn project, extending the contract to 31 March 2026.

Upcoming Meetings

Here are the upcoming meetings in the next 7 days:

  1. Local government reorganisation (LGR) is the process of restructuring local government in a particular area. This can involve merging existing councils, creating new councils, or changing the powers and responsibilities of existing councils. ↩

  2. The King's Awards for Enterprise are awards for outstanding achievement by UK businesses in the categories of innovation, international trade, sustainable development and promoting opportunity through social mobility. ↩

Derbyshire Police Face £10M Budget Deficit; Financial Rules Reviewed

This week in Derbyshire:

Council Faces Financial Strain as Police Budget Deficit Looms

The Derbyshire Police and Crime Panel met this week to discuss the financial challenges facing the Derbyshire Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) and Derbyshire Constabulary, alongside updates on crime reduction and the Police and Crime Plan. You can find the full details of the meeting here. With a potential budget deficit of over £10 million projected by 2028/29, tough decisions may be on the horizon for policing in the county.

Police Face Growing Budget Black Hole

The panel reviewed the financial position of the PCC and Derbyshire Constabulary, revealing a concerning trend of overspending and projected deficits.

  • An overspend of £1.891 million against a budget of £231.760 million (0.82%) was covered from reserves in 2024/25.
  • A projected overspend of £1.334 million against a budget of £236.352 million (0.55%) is forecast for 2025/26.
  • Early projections for 2026/27 suggest a budget deficit of between £4 million and £6 million, potentially rising to over £10 million by 2028/29.

The report pack noted that a comprehensive service level review was underway to identify savings while minimizing the impact on services. The National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) has also concluded that the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee is unaffordable within the current funding levels. This could mean a reduction in visible policing in local communities.

Focus on Bringing Offenders to Justice

The meeting included a discussion of the PCC's strategic priority of 'Bringing Offenders to Justice'. The report pack summarised ongoing initiatives and activities, and included a detailed Public Assurance Meeting (PAM) report from Derbyshire Constabulary.

The report pack noted that in a public consultation in Autumn 2024, residents identified Bringing Offenders to Justice as their fourth highest concern. The report pack also summarised the work of the Derbyshire Criminal Justice Board (DCJB), chaired by the Police and Crime Commissioner, which provides strategic oversight and coordination across the criminal justice system.

Police and Crime Plan Under Review

The panel discussed the outcome of the statutory review of the Derbyshire Police and Crime Plan 2024-2029, as required under the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011. The review concluded that updates were required to the 'Finance and Resources' section of the Plan to reflect the current financial year 2025-2026.

The report pack noted that the consultation confirmed strong public support for the Plan's six strategic priorities:

  • Serious Violence, including Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG)
  • Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) and Community Safety
  • Neighbourhood Policing
  • Bringing Offenders to Justice
  • Drug Dealing and Substance Misuse
  • Supporting Victims and Safeguarding

Commissioner's Maternity Plans Outlined

The report pack included an update to Panel members on the arrangements in place during the PCC's upcoming maternity period, which is expected to commence in early February 2026. The report pack stated that the PCC will remain in post and continue to make all strategic decisions throughout the maternity period, including maintaining regular meetings with the Chief Constable, receiving timely and critical briefings, and continuing to attend all Police and Crime Panel meetings.

Financial Regulations and Gifts Under Scrutiny

The Governance, Ethics and Standards Committee met to discuss revisions to financial regulations and standing orders related to contracts, and to review the register of gifts and hospitality. You can find the full details of the meeting here. No video was provided.

Revised Financial Rules and Contract Procedures

The committee discussed the revised financial regulations and standing orders related to contracts. The report pack included the document, [Revised Financial regulations and Standing orders related to contracts][Revised Financial regulations and Standing orders related to contracts.pdf], which runs to almost 140 pages.

Register of Gifts and Hospitality Reviewed

The committee also reviewed the [Register of Gifts and Hospitality 1 April 2024 31 March 2025][Register of Gifts and Hospitality 1 April 2024 31 March 2025.pdf]. This register lists any gifts or hospitality received by council employees between those dates.

Other Matters

Upcoming Meetings

Here are the upcoming meetings in the next 7 days:

Improvement and Scrutiny Committee - Resources

Resources Scrutiny Committee - Thursday, 11 December 2025 2.00 pm

The Resources Scrutiny Committee was scheduled to discuss the preparation of the 2026/27 budget, the council's talent strategy, and the local government reform timeline and process. As only the agenda and report pack are available, it is not possible to state whether any decisions were made, or whether any topics were discussed beyond those listed in the agenda.

December 11, 2025
Council

Alderman Ceremony, Council - Wednesday, 10 December 2025 11.00 am, NEW

Derbyshire County Council is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, 10 December 2025, to conduct formal business. The agenda includes prayers, apologies for absence, declarations of interest, and a proposal to appoint Honorary Aldermen and Alderwomen. The meeting will be available via webcast on the council's website and YouTube Channel.

December 10, 2025
Council

Council - Wednesday, 10 December 2025 2.00 pm

The agenda for Derbyshire County Council's meeting on 10 December 2025 included discussion of the appointment of a new Chief Executive, revisions to the council's constitution and budget monitoring. Councillors were also scheduled to answer questions from the public and elected members, and to discuss several notices of motion.

December 10, 2025
Recruitment Panel

Head of Paid Service, Recruitment Panel - Monday, 8 December 2025 9.00 am

The Recruitment Panel of Derbyshire Council is scheduled to meet on Monday, 8 December 2025, to appoint a chair and conduct interviews for the position of Interim Chief Executive. The meeting will be held at Committee Room 3, County Hall, Matlock.

December 08, 2025
Cabinet

Cabinet - Thursday, 4 December 2025 2.00 pm

Derbyshire County Council's cabinet approved a public consultation on home to school transport policy changes, gave the go-ahead for a compulsory purchase order to support the South Derbyshire Growth Zone, and discussed budget preparations for 2026/27. The cabinet also reviewed performance and budget monitoring reports, progress at Markham Vale, and updates to the Library Strategy.

December 04, 2025
Pensions and Investments Committee

Pensions and Investments Committee - Wednesday, 3 December 2025 10.30 am

The Pensions and Investments Committee for Derbyshire County Council were scheduled to meet on Wednesday, 3 December 2025, to discuss the investment and stewardship of the fund, proposed changes to the Local Government Pension Scheme, and the 2025 actuarial valuation[^2] of the Derbyshire Pension Fund. The committee was also scheduled to confirm the minutes of their previous meeting.

December 03, 2025
Audit Committee

Audit Committee - Tuesday, 2 December 2025 2.00 pm

The Audit Committee of Derbyshire Council is scheduled to meet on Tuesday 2 December 2025.

December 02, 2025
Regulatory - Planning Committee CANCELLED

Regulatory - Planning Committee - Monday, 1 December 2025 10.00 am

This meeting has been cancelled.

December 01, 2025
Cabinet

Cabinet - Thursday, 27 November 2025 12.00 pm, NEW

The Derbyshire County Council Cabinet approved a recommendation to submit a proposal for a single unitary council for the whole of the Derby and Derbyshire area to the government. The decision followed a debate and vote on 13 November 2025, where the council supported the Uniting Derbyshire proposal. If approved, the new council would aim to simplify local government, improve accountability, and deliver better value for residents.

November 27, 2025
Improvement and Scrutiny Committee - Health

Health Scrutiny Committee - Monday, 24 November 2025 10.30 am

The Health Scrutiny Committee was scheduled to discuss intermediate care services, the East Midlands Ambulance Service, and the committee's work programme. A main focus of the meeting was to be a discussion of the case for changing intermediate care services in Derby and Derbyshire. Councillors were also expected to consider an update on the work done by the East Midlands Ambulance Service to improve its response times.

November 24, 2025

No upcoming meetings scheduled.