This week in Derbyshire:

Social Care Strategy and Scrutiny Work Programme on the Agenda

The Improvement and Scrutiny Committee - People met this week to discuss the Adult Social Care and Public Health Joint Prevention Strategy and to review their work programme for the coming year. You can find the full details of the meeting here. While no decisions were made, the discussions highlight the council's priorities and the challenges it faces in providing essential services to vulnerable residents.

Prevention Strategy Aims to Reduce Social Isolation and Improve Wellbeing

The committee reviewed the Adult Social Care and Public Health Joint Prevention Strategy, which outlines a plan to improve preventative outcomes and wellbeing through collaboration between Adult Social Care and Public Health. The strategy focuses on four key areas:

• Improving understanding of need to inform service design and commissioning
• Reducing social isolation and loneliness
• Proactive prevention and early intervention
• Recognising and strengthening community assets

The strategy also identifies seven 'strategic enablers', including empowering communities, co-production, and building community resilience.

The strategy emphasizes the importance of early intervention, noting that for every £1 invested in preventative support, councils can save £3.17 in future social care costs.

Scrutiny Committee Plans Future Work

The committee discussed its work programme for 2025/26, identifying potential topics for future meetings. These included:

• Derbyshire Adult Community Education Service (DACES) – Consultation Outcome
• Derbyshire Safeguarding Adults Board's Annual Report 2024-2025
• Review of Residential Care Homes
• Youth Service and offending
• Placements for children in care
• Social Services staff retention
• SEND and Inclusion

The committee's focus on these issues suggests a commitment to scrutinizing key areas of council activity and holding decision-makers accountable.

Previous Meeting Minutes Confirmed

The committee confirmed the minutes of its previous meeting, held on 3 October 2025. During that meeting, the committee considered a call-in of a decision to declare five county council buildings surplus to service need and received a presentation on SEND and Inclusion.

Upcoming Meetings

Here are the upcoming meetings in the next 7 days:

• The Recruitment Panel are scheduled to meet on Monday 03 November 2025. You can see the meeting details here.
• The Standing Advisory Committee for Religious Education are scheduled to meet on Monday 10 November 2025 to discuss feedback on the new agreed syllabus, a curriculum and assessment review, and the implications of local government reorganisation for SACREs. You can see the meeting details here.
• The Derbyshire County Council Trading Committee are scheduled to meet on Monday 10 November 2025 to review the performance of its joint ventures, Concertus Derbyshire Limited, Vertas Derbyshire Limited, and Develop Renew. You can see the meeting details here.
• The Cabinet are scheduled to meet on Thursday 13 November 2025. You can see the meeting details here.
• The Council are scheduled to meet on Thursday 13 November 2025. You can see the meeting details here.
• The Governance, Ethics and Standards Committee are scheduled to meet on Thursday 06 November 2025 to discuss revisions to financial regulations and standing orders related to contracts, and the register of gifts and hospitality. You can see the meeting details here.
• The Derbyshire Police and Crime Panel are scheduled to meet on Thursday 06 November 2025 to discuss the police and crime commissioner's finance update, progress on bringing offenders to justice, and a review of the Police and Crime Plan 2024-2029. You can see the meeting details here.

This week in Derbyshire:

Pension Fund Performance and Risk Under Scrutiny

The Pensions and Investments Committee convened this week to discuss the Derbyshire Pension Fund's actuarial valuation, performance, and risk management. You can find the full details of the meeting here. With rising pensioner numbers and increasing complexity in pension calculations, the committee's oversight is crucial to ensuring the financial security of Derbyshire's retirees.

Actuarial Valuation Shows Funding Level Increase

The committee was scheduled to discuss the Derbyshire Pension Fund 2025 Actuarial Valuation. The report pack indicated a significant increase in the fund's funding level, from 100% in 2022 to 135% in 2025.

The initial whole fund results showed:

• Assets of £6.694 billion
• Total Liabilities of £4.961 billion
• A surplus of £1.733 billion

This positive valuation is welcome news for Derbyshire's pension holders, suggesting a strong financial position for the fund. However, the committee was expected to delve deeper into the assumptions and methodologies used in the valuation to ensure its long-term sustainability.

Cybercrime and Investment Underperformance Highlighted as Key Risks

The committee was scheduled to review the Derbyshire Pension Fund Risk Register, which identifies potential threats to the fund's stability. High-risk items included:

• Cybercrime: Pension schemes are attractive targets for cyberattacks due to the large amounts of personal data and assets they hold. The report pack noted that robust procedures are in place, but the risk remains a significant concern.
• Investment Underperformance: The report pack noted that the government's 'Fit for the Future' proposals require Local Government Pension Scheme funds to transition the management and oversight of all of their investment assets to their pooling company by 31 March 2026. It noted that the Fund had transitioned around 15% of its assets into the active products of LGPS Central Limited, 8% into an LGPSC enhanced passive product, and 5% of the Fund's assets committed to LGPSC private markets' vehicles.
• McCloud Judgement: The McCloud case, which relates to age discrimination in pension schemes, continues to pose an administrative challenge. The report pack stated that the risk score for the impact of the McCloud judgement on funding had gradually been reduced, but that the administration risk remained high.

Effective risk management is essential to protecting the Derbyshire Pension Fund from potential losses and ensuring that it can meet its obligations to its members.

Pension Administration Performance Remains Strong Despite Staffing Challenges

The committee was scheduled to discuss the Half-Year Pension Administration Performance Report, which covers the period 1 April 2025 to 30 September 2025.

The report pack stated that the administration team's core role is to ensure that pension benefits are paid to members accurately and in a timely manner, and to provide clear information on pension options to members to help their planning for retirement.

The report pack noted that at 30 September 2025, the administration team included 49 members of staff individuals covering 44.66 full-time equivalent (fte) positions with 15.15 fte vacant administration positions.

The report pack stated that the Fund's key performance indicators have continued to evidence the administration team's good performance in maintaining an effective operation during the first half of 2025-26 during a period involving significant transitions in staffing and a high proportion of vacant positions.

The report pack noted that the implementation of the McCloud remedy in the LGPS from 1 October 2023 introduced an increased level of complexity to the task of calculating pension benefits for qualifying members to determine whether they are affected by the underpin.

The report pack stated that member engagement with the Fund's My Pension Online system has continued to increase with 33,609 members now fully registered, including over 42% of the Fund's active and deferred membership.

Despite staffing challenges, the Fund's administration team has maintained a good level of performance, ensuring that pensioners receive their benefits on time and accurately.

Upcoming Meetings

Here are the upcoming meetings in the next 7 days:

• The Improvement and Scrutiny Committee - People are scheduled to meet on Friday 31 October 2025 to discuss the Adult Social Care and Public Health Joint Prevention Strategy, and to review the committee's work programme. You can see the meeting details here.
• The Derbyshire Police and Crime Panel are scheduled to meet on Thursday 06 November 2025. You can see the meeting details here.
• The Governance, Ethics and Standards Committee are scheduled to meet on Thursday 06 November 2025. You can see the meeting details here.

This week in Derbyshire:

Transport Transition and SEND Funding Approved Amidst Budget Concerns

Derbyshire County Council's Cabinet convened this week, tackling issues ranging from transport infrastructure to special needs education, while also grappling with budget constraints. You can find the full details of the meeting here.

East Midlands Authority Takes the Wheel on Transport

The Cabinet approved the transfer of strategic and public transport functions to the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA). This move, in line with the Devolution Deal and the East Midlands Combined County Authority Regulations 2024, aims to create a more integrated and strategic approach to transport planning across the region.

Councillor Charlotte Hill, Cabinet Member for Potholes, Highways and Transport, stressed the importance of ensuring a smooth transition and maintaining operational integrity throughout the process.

Key aspects of the transfer include:

• EMCCA will be responsible for strategic assessment, planning, and development of transport infrastructure.
• EMCCA will manage key route networks and coordinate integrated public transport services.
• The transfer is scheduled to be completed by April 1, 2026.

SEND Pupils to Benefit from £1.8 Million Investment

In a move to address the growing need for special education provisions, the Cabinet approved an additional £1,832,550 in funding for Esteem Multi Academy Trust. This funding will support the refurbishment of the former Hunloke Adult Education Centre, transforming it into a facility for pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

This investment aims to provide additional places for SEND pupils, addressing a critical shortage of specialist placements in the area.

Digital Connectivity Boost for Rural Areas

The Cabinet approved the reallocation of £0.9 million to support the Digital Connectivity Strategy, specifically targeting rural areas. This funding will be used to enhance the Building Digital UK’s (BDUK) Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme, enabling the delivery of two grant schemes in the Rural Digital Connectivity Grant Programme.

This initiative aims to bridge the digital divide, ensuring that residents and businesses in rural Derbyshire have access to high-speed internet.

Regeneration Project Pipeline Approved, With One Notable Exception

The Cabinet approved a list of prioritised regeneration projects, with the exception of the Avenue site – Phase 3, which includes commercial development and new Southern access on the A61. This project was deferred for further discussion.

The approved projects aim to stimulate economic growth and improve the quality of life for residents across Derbyshire.

Other Matters

• The Cabinet approved the acceptance of £0.7 million in grant funding for the proposed Williamthorpe Clean Energy facility.
• The Cabinet approved revenue support for the new Drakelow Park Flying High Academy, scheduled to open in September 2026.
• The Cabinet noted the Director of Public Health’s Annual Report 2025 and the recommendations contained within it.
• The Cabinet noted the Annual Review letter of the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman for the year ending 31 March 2025.
• The Cabinet noted the current position on the monitoring of Capital schemes.
• The Cabinet noted the report on Treasury Management activities during Quarter 1 for 2025-26.
• The Cabinet approved recommendations detailed in a report that is not for publication regarding highway retaining wall maintenance works.
• The Cabinet approved recommendations detailed in a report that is not for publication regarding the award of contract for tendered local bus services.

Upcoming Meetings

Here are the upcoming meetings in the next 7 days:

• The Pensions and Investments Committee are scheduled to meet on Wednesday 22 October 2025 to discuss the actuarial valuation of the Derbyshire Pension Fund, a performance report on pension administration, and the fund's risk register. You can see the meeting details here.
• The Improvement and Scrutiny Committee - People are scheduled to meet on Friday 31 October 2025. You can see the meeting details here.

This week in Derbyshire:

Council Approves Controversial Constitution Changes Amidst Heated Debate

Derbyshire County Council met this week, and a proposal to combine the roles of Civic Chairman and Chairman of the Council sparked a fierce debate, overshadowing other important agenda items. You can find the full details of the meeting here. The changes, framed as a cost-saving measure, have been criticised by opposition councillors who fear it will concentrate too much power in one individual.

Power Grab? Constitution Changes Trigger Outcry

The council voted to approve amendments to its constitution, effectively merging the roles of Civic Chairman and Chairman of the Council. This decision allows the current Chairman of the Council, Councillor Nick Adams, to also assume the civic duties previously held by a separate individual.

Councillor Lewis Whitbread, Chairman of the Governance, Ethics and Standards Committee, argued the changes were a reasonable, responsible and respectful solution to recent changes made by this administration, and would streamline operations.

However, Councillor Ed Fordham criticised the move, stating, Every time something occurred they didn't like, they would change the constitution. He expressed concern that the changes would concentrate too much power in the hands of the ruling group.

Councillor Anne Clarke also voiced opposition, questioning the need for the change and its potential impact on the council's democratic processes.

The decision has been met with mixed reactions from the public, with some praising the cost-saving aspect and others expressing concerns about the potential for abuse of power.

Budget Overspend and SEND Services Under Scrutiny

The council also discussed its financial performance, revealing a forecast net overspend of £1.331m against a revenue budget of £770.502m. While savings delivery was reportedly on track in most areas, Children's Social Care was expected to exceed its budget by £25.936m.

Councillor Alex Dale expressed concerns that savings in other departments were masking the serious problems within children's and adult social care. He also criticised the lack of progress on the council's efficiency program, DOGE, stating, We're nearly six months in now, and we're not really seeing anything other than the one council savings program that you essentially inherited from us.

The council also considered a motion to re-establish funding for the Derbyshire Befriending Service, which provides support to vulnerable adults. The motion was ultimately deferred to a future meeting.

Solar Farm Opposition Sparks Environmental Debate

A motion to oppose large-scale solar farms and battery energy storage systems on greenfield sites in Derbyshire also generated significant debate.

Councillor Alan Graves argued that such developments threaten food security and harm the environment, stating, We are being asked to swap guaranteed food on the table for uncertainty and energy in the grid. That is not common sense. That is reckless.

However, Councillor Gez Kinsella countered that the motion was ill-thought-out and lacked support from experts in farming and rural environments. He argued that solar farms can be a positive tool for farm diversification and sustainability, particularly on lower-grade farmland.

The council ultimately approved the motion, signalling its opposition to large-scale solar developments on greenfield sites.

Appointments and Conditions of Service Committee Approves Performance-Related Pay for Chief Executive

The Appointments and Conditions of Service Committee approved the introduction of performance-related pay for the Chief Executive role, recommending that the council amend the Pay Policy Statement to reflect these changes. You can find the full details of the meeting here. The proposal involves hiring a new Chief Executive on a fixed-term contract with a spot salary of £181,018 per annum, with the potential to earn up to £20,000 in performance-related pay.

Other Matters

• The council paid tribute to Albert Keir, a D-Day veteran and Honorary Freeman of Derbyshire, who recently passed away at the age of 100.
• The council also expressed condolences for the deaths of two former Chief Fire Officers, Gavin Tomlinson and Rob Taylor.

Upcoming Meetings

Here are the upcoming meetings in the next 7 days:

• The Cabinet are scheduled to meet on Thursday 16 October 2025 to discuss a range of topics, including budget monitoring, treasury management, public health, special educational needs, a new primary school, regeneration projects, the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman, clean energy, digital connectivity, and the transfer of transport functions to the East Midlands Combined County Authority. You can see the meeting details here.
• The Pensions and Investments Committee are scheduled to meet on Wednesday 22 October 2025. You can see the meeting details here.