The Derbyshire Council Cabinet met on Thursday, 29 January 2026, to approve the council's budget and strategic plans for the upcoming year. Key decisions included the adoption of the Revenue Budget for 2026-27, which necessitates a Council Tax increase, and the approval of the Council Plan for 2026-29.

Revenue Budget and Council Tax for 2026-27

The Cabinet approved the proposed Revenue Budget and Council Tax for 2026-27, recommending it to the full Council for adoption. This includes a Council Tax requirement of £462,909,689. The report noted a shortfall between ongoing funding and expenditure, which will be met by using one-off savings. The Cabinet also approved budget savings and acknowledged a remaining budget gap over the Medium-Term Financial Plan. The proposed Council Tax increase of 4.9% was questioned by Councillor Clarke, Leader of the Labour Group, who asked if the Reform UK administration regretted making cut your taxes a prominent feature of their 2025 election campaign. Councillor John Lawson, Cabinet Member for Council Efficiency (DOGE), responded that the administration had never pledged a Council Tax reduction and that it was challenging to reduce Council Tax given the current financial climate and reliance on central government funding.

The Cabinet also considered a minority group leader's question regarding a £100,000 allocation for buildings, including £25,000 for a kitchen at the Hayfield Visitor's Centre. Councillor Clarke highlighted the closure of several cafes in the village and suggested a community group could refurbish the centre without council cost. Councillor Lawson clarified that the £25,000 was for essential building works, contingent on a viable operator and matching investment, and not specifically for a café. He added that the council was still considering the community group's proposal and would assess any sustainable offer alongside commercial interest.

Council Plan Refresh and Departmental Service Plans 2026-29

The Cabinet agreed to the authority's Council Plan for 2026-29 and its Departmental Service Plans for the same period, recommending them to the full Council for approval. A minor amendment was made to remove reference to the Civil Engineering Term Maintenance Contract from the Place Commercial pipeline. The Council Plan Delivery Framework for 2026-29 was also noted.

Capital Programme Approvals, Treasury Management and Capital Strategies for 2026-27

The Cabinet approved the Capital Starts Programme for 2026-27, along with the Treasury Management, Investment, and Capital Strategies for the same year. This includes the approval of the detailed Planned Asset Maintenance Programme for 2026-27. The Cabinet recommended these strategies to the full Council for adoption. The flexible use of the Capital Receipts Strategy was also adopted.

Reserves Position and Reserves Policy

The Cabinet noted the current position on Earmarked Reserves and the amounts to be released to the General Reserve. They also approved the Reserves Policy.

Budget Consultation Results

The Cabinet reviewed the outcomes of the council's budget consultation exercises for the 2026-27 Revenue Budget. They resolved to take the views of the consultation respondents into account when formulating proposals for the full Council.

School Block Funding 2026-27

Councillor Simon Mabbott, Cabinet Member for SEND and Education, introduced a report on School Block Funding for 2026-27. The Cabinet noted the Dedicated Schools Grant settlement and the Schools Block Allocation. They approved a 0.8% reduction on the Department for Education's National Funding Formula rates and a minimum funding guarantee of 0.0% per pupil. The Cabinet also approved the request from the Schools Forum to de-delegate funds from LA maintained primary and secondary schools' budgets for council services to schools.

Children's Services Determined Admissions Arrangements

The Cabinet approved the proposed determined admission arrangements for the academic year 2027/28, including changes to the Published Admission Numbers (PANs) as detailed in Appendix two of the report.