The Derbyshire County Council cabinet met on 13 November 2025, approving a highways capital programme for 2026-27, allocating funds for homelessness prevention under the Homes for Ukraine scheme, and agreeing to seek a partner to improve the council's operating model. Councillors also approved an updated whistleblowing policy and allocated Section 106 ¹ funding to children's services. Finally, the cabinet approved an adjustment to the Ashbourne Reborn construction contract value, which was discussed in private.

Local Transport Plan Highways Capital Programme 2026-27

The cabinet approved the Local Transport Plan Highways Capital Programme 2026-27, which outlines a £41.174 million investment in the county's highways. The programme includes enhanced carriageway maintenance, resurfacing, and surface dressing schemes.

Key decisions related to the programme include:

• Delegating authority to the Executive Director - Place to approve the receipt of all grant funding from the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) ² for transport-related projects.
• Delegating authority to the Highways Director, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Potholes, Highways and Transport, to approve any additions or deletions to the programme.
• Approving the procurement of projects included in the Landslip and A6 Historic Retaining Walls Urgent Repair Programme.
• Noting the change to a 'Fence to Fence' approach for applicable capital schemes, which means that schemes will be designed to deliver co-ordinated cross asset delivery of works, where there is a need.
• Approving the introduction of a £3 million member-led minor residential roads resurfacing programme.

Councillor C Hill, Cabinet Member for Potholes, Highways and Transport, responded to a question about the source of funding for the member-led residential scheme, saying:

This administration has made significant progress in terms of increasing investment, improving value for money, fixing potholes and making the Highways Service fit for purpose. That means that contractors are aware of our administration's determination to improve the highway service therefore, we are delivering better value for money across Derbyshire.

Appendix 2 Highways Capital Delivery Programme 2026-27 lists the schemes that will be delivered as part of the programme.

Homes for Ukraine Scheme

The cabinet approved the allocation of up to £2.160 million from the existing Homes for Ukraine tariff funding to district and borough councils to support homelessness prevention. This funding, provided by central government, aims to help Ukrainian families rebuild their lives in the UK.

The Homelessness Prevention fund for the Homes for Ukraine Scheme report noted that over 1,700 Ukrainian guests have arrived in Derbyshire since the scheme's launch in March 2022.

Council's Operating Model

The cabinet approved progression to the design stage of the Transformation and Efficiency Programme, including the development of a revised operating model. The council will procure a Delivery and Implementation Partner via tender for both the design and implementation stages. The estimated £5 million cost of the design and implementation stages will be funded through the flexible use of capital receipts.

The Update on the Council's Operating Model and options to improve efficiency and effectiveness report noted that the council has relied on £132.431 million in reserves over the past three years to sustain its current model, an approach deemed unsustainable.

Councillor J Lawson, Cabinet Member for Council Efficiency (DOGE), responded to questions about the potential benefits and value for money of the programme, saying:

The potential benefits outlined in the Cabinet report—ranging from £19.2m to £38.7m—reflect a prudent and transparent approach to forecasting, acknowledging both the complexity and scale of the transformation programme.

Whistleblowing Policy

The cabinet approved the amended Whistleblowing Policy, which aims to encourage employees and others to report concerns about wrongdoing within the council. The policy sets out how the council will handle and respond to whistleblowing allegations and seeks to ensure that individuals can raise concerns without fear of reprisals.

Key changes to the policy include:

• Strengthening the link between the Whistleblowing Policy and the Anti-Fraud Anti-Corruption Strategy.
• Encouraging employees to 'speak up' about things which don't feel right or an idea for improvement where those concerns wouldn't amount to a whistleblowing concern.
• Extending the time period for an initial response from 10 working days to 20 working days.

Children's Services Section 106 Allocations

The cabinet noted the receipt/availability of Section 106 funding and approved allocations to projects outlined in Appendix 2 for Childrens Services Section 106 Allocations. They also noted the reimbursement to the Children's Services Capital Basic Need budget from developer contributions.

The Childrens Services Section 106 Allocations report detailed the schools that are to benefit from the investment together with the planned projects, and information on the repayment of the Children's Services Capital Basic Need budget.