The Derbyshire County Council Cabinet met to discuss a range of issues, including the transfer of transport functions to the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA), budget monitoring, and the allocation of resources for digital connectivity and special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The cabinet approved recommendations regarding the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman's annual review letter, the Williamthorpe Clean Energy Facility, and a new primary school at Drakelow.

Transfer of Transport Function to East Midlands Combined County Authority

The Cabinet approved recommendations to facilitate the transfer of strategic and public transport functions from Derbyshire County Council to the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA). This transfer is in line with the previously approved Devolution Deal and the East Midlands Combined County Authority Regulations 2024. The key decisions included:

• Noting the processes being undertaken by DCC to ensure the effective transfer of the strategic and public transport functions to EMCCA.
• Approving the Inter Authority Agreement (IAA) Heads of Terms, which sets out the principles and means by which all aspects of the transfer will be discharged over time.
• Approving the East Midlands Combined County Authority Protocol for the Exercise of Concurrent Functions and Associated Statutory Consents.
• Delegating authority to the Director of Finance to complete negotiations on the Transport Levy and all budget transfers relating to service delivery and staffing.
• Delegating authority to the Executive Director for Place to commence the transfer of public transport functions and those staff responsible for delivering them, in order to meet the 1 April 2026 statutory deadline.

The report before the cabinet noted that the transfer of responsibilities supports EMCCA's wider regional aspirations by enabling the strategic assessment, planning and development of transport infrastructure, the management of key route networks and the coordination of integrated public transport services.

The report also set out a number of DCC services or functions not included in the scope of the transfer that have interdependency with those that are to be transferred, including:

• Statutory function of home to school transport services (approximately 18 services) are embedded into local bus services.
• Bus shelters owned by the districts/boroughs/town/parish councils.
• Highways-owned assets or interventions that facilitate public transport e.g. power supply to support bus shelter assets, real time information signs (RTI), traffic signals with bus priority functions, raised kerbs at bus stops, footways to bus stops, road closure notifications, etc.
• Contract management monitoring e.g. the Place Transport Compliance Team.
• Office and storage accommodation for staff and equipment such as bus stop flags/poles and RTI hardware.
• Sustainable travel service will retain a dependency with the EMCCA transport functions post March 2026 in relation to accessing delivery funding.
• Approximately four vehicles supplied under lease arrangement by DCC's Fleet Services, largely to the DCC Infrastructure Team to carry essential equipment for the network.

The report noted that a strong 'internal client' role will need to be embedded which will include work to influence EMCCA's strategy and priority development and also respond to EMCCA's commissioning of specific delivery projects (i.e. regeneration projects, active travel projects, mobility as a service etc).

Digital Connectivity Strategy Budget and Delivery

The Cabinet approved the Digital Connectivity Delivery Plan for 2025-2027 and the reallocation of £0.500m of earmarked reserves as a contribution towards the top up element of Building Digital UK's (BDUK) Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme to enable delivery of the Rural Digital Connectivity Grant Programme. They also approved the allocation of the remaining £0.400m from the Digital Derbyshire reserves to enable delivery of the Rural Digital Connectivity Grant Programme.

The report noted that the Digital Connectivity Strategy sets out eight strategic priorities:

• Enhanced rural broadband coverage in rural areas for improved connectivity.
• Enhanced digital connectivity and services to support tourism and enrich visitor experiences.
• Robust digital coverage to drive the success and vitality of town centres and high streets.
• Strengthened connectivity to drive economic growth, foster innovation, and empower small and micro businesses.
• Improved digital connectivity as a key enabler of sustainable transport solutions.
• Advanced digital solutions to meet evolving customer demands for seamless online access to services around the clock.
• Seamless mobile capabilities to support mobile teams and enable efficient remote work.
• Prioritisation of digital inclusivity in rural areas, isolated communities, and disadvantaged urban areas.

The report explained that the Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme aims to deliver 'gigabit-capable broadband' to residents and businesses through a community-led voucher scheme. The scheme applies to premises that Government (via BDUK) has classified as 'white', meaning those currently receiving less than 100mbps and where no intervention for full fibre broadband is planned to be deployed by commercial providers within the next three years.

The report noted that BDUK will no longer be approving Openreach-led scheme projects across Derbyshire, and that this means the main supplier will no longer be in play, making it significantly more difficult to fully utilise the top-up spend in a timely manner due to there being only one active supplier now.

The Cabinet agreed to delegate finalisation and sign off of the detailed grant schemes to the Executive Director for Place, in consultation with the Director of Finance and Cabinet Member for Net Zero and Environment, prior to implementation.

Children's Services SEND Capital Budget Allocations

The Cabinet approved the allocation of £1,832,550 additional funding from the Children’s Services SEND High Needs Provision Capital Allocation, to Esteem Multi Academy Trust for refurbishment and Change of Use of the former Hunloke Adult Education Centre. This building will be utilised for providing additional places for pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). The Cabinet also approved the transfer of approved funds direct to Esteem Multi Academy Trust, by way of a Legal Agreement.

Drakelow Primary New School Initial Request for Approval

The Cabinet noted that the new School Drakelow Park Flying High Academy is scheduled to open in September 2026, and approved the agreement of revenue support for a Minimum number of pupils to enable the school to open as planned. They also approved the revenue funding of £128,000 which is funded from within the Schools Block of the Dedicated Schools Grant to enable the initial recruitment process by the academy partnership.

The report noted that under the South Derbyshire District Council Local Plan, a total of up to 2239 dwellings are approved for the development at Drakelow Park. A new 2 form entry (2FE) Primary School is being delivered by the Developer as part of their Section 106 obligations and will be opened in September 2026 by the Flying High Partnership.

Regeneration Project Pipeline

The Cabinet approved the Regeneration Pipeline and list of prioritised projects as set out in Appendix 2 of the report except for the Avenue site – Phase 3 (including commercial development and new Southern access on the A61). They also approved the allocation of 2025-26 EMCCA funding and other specific approvals for projects set out in Figure 1 and Appendix 3 to the report, except the Avenue site – Phase 3 (including commercial development and new Southern access on the A61).

The Cabinet delegated authority to the Executive Director for Place, in liaison with the Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Regeneration, to:

• Make any suitable application for funding in support of the development process for those projects set out in Appendix 2 of the report.
• Accept grant in relation to projects and programmes included on the Regeneration Pipeline where offered.
• Add projects to the capital and commercial (procurement) programme as appropriate.
• Authorise any engagement and consultation necessary in relation to projects and programmes on the Regeneration Pipeline.
• Add the Avenue site to the Regeneration Pipeline, subject to the satisfactory conclusion of further discussions.

Annual Review Letter of the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman

The Cabinet noted the Annual Review Letter of the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman for the year ending 31 March 2025.

The report noted that for the period ending 31 March 2025, the LGSCO received 197 complaints and enquiries relating to Derbyshire County Council, compared to 158 complaints for Derbyshire in the period 2023/24 (an increase of 24.68%). Looking specifically at the decisions made by the LGSCO for the period ending 31 March 2025, there were 59 detailed investigations carried out, of which 4 were not upheld and 55 were upheld. This gives an upheld rate of 93%, which is an increase from 85% from 2023/24, compared to an average of 89% in similar authorities.

The report also noted that in respect of compliance with the LGSCO's recommendations, of the 38 compliance outcomes, the Council complied with all the recommended remedies giving a compliance rate of 100%.

Recommendation to Approve the Grant Funding Award in Relation to Williamthorpe Clean Energy Facility

The Cabinet approved the acceptance of grant funding in the sum of £0.700m from the Mayoral Renewables Fund via the East Midlands Combined Authority in relation to the proposed Williamthorpe Clean Energy Facility; and delegated authority to the Executive Director for Corporate Services and Transformation to confirm acceptance of the grant terms.

The report noted that the council has successfully applied for the maximum available grant for the Mayoral Renewables Fund to support the project to develop the Williamthorpe Clean Energy Facility. The primary objective is to generate clean energy, and a secondary objective is to sell the clean energy generated or sleeve it for Council use. The rate of return on the commitment has been calculated by the independent consultant APSE Energy, and by the external framework provider LASER. Both assessments yield an anticipated 10% return.

Capital Budget Monitoring and Forecast

The Cabinet noted the current position on the monitoring of Capital schemes.

Treasury Management Report

The Cabinet noted the report on Treasury Management activities during Quarter 1 for 2025-26, up to 30 June 2025, and the Council’s compliance with the prudential indicators set by the Council at its meeting on 12 February 2025, in accordance with the CIPFA¹ code.

Director of Public Health Annual Report

The Cabinet noted the production of the Director of Public Health’s Annual Report 2025 and the recommendations contained within it; approved the formal publication of the Director of Public Health’s Annual Report 2025; and agreed to reflect further on the recommendations made within the report to consider what further action the County Council can take to support the work and health agenda.

Other Decisions

The Cabinet also made decisions on the following matters:

• Award of Contract for Tendered Local Bus Services (PTU 259)
• A6 Matlock to Whatstandwell Highway Retaining Wall Maintenance Works