News

Eye health report reveals growing pressure on waiting lists in Derbyshire

New research has revealed that pressure on ophthalmology waiting lists increased across almost all Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) across England last year, including in Derbyshire. The report by from eye health business Newmedica found major disparities in access to eye health care across the country, with growing pressure on waiting lists with 86 percent of its clinics across England located within an area facing increasing ophthalmology waiting lists. Commissioned as part of the firm's Championing Eye Health: Patient Choice and […]

16 July 2026 22

Derbyshire County Council headquarters at County Hall in Matlock. Image from Eddie Bisknell.

Borough Wide

Ten Derbyshire councils to be replaced with two with a north-south divide, the Government has decided

Derbyshire’s ten councils will be scrapped and replaced with two councils along a north-south divide, the Government has decided. In the biggest council shakeup for 50 years, today (July 16th), the Labour Government has announced that Derbyshire County Council, Derby City Council and the eight districts and boroughs will all be scrapped. It has chosen to replace these 10 councils with two authorities, one to cover the northern half of Derbyshire and one for the southern half, with Amber Valley to […]

16 July 2026 23

The knife recovered from a stop-search in Wiltshorpe Road, Long Eaton (Credit: Derbyshire Police)

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Borough Wide

Arrest made for drug and knife offences in Long Eaton

Police officers from the Long Eaton Safer Neighbourhood Team have taken action after spotting a young male on a bike who was loitering and acting suspiciously on Wilsthorpe Road. On Monday 13th July, offices went to speak to the male who then tried to make off, but after a brief tussle, he was detained for a stop-search under Section 23 of the Misuse of Drugs Act. During the search, officers found scales, a burner phone, cannabis and a knife. The […]

16 July 2026 45 2

Deputy Mayor Linda cuts ribbon at £160k play mecca (Credit: EBC)

Cotmanhay

Fun zone for kids officially opens

A new play mecca for children has been officially opened by Erewash’s Deputy Mayor – after the borough council ploughed £160,000 into creating the jungle-themed fun zone. Thrilled Cllr Linda Burns performed the honours by cutting a ribbon at Wash Meadows – an open space that the people of Ilkeston affectionately refer to as “Johnny’s” park. The name, according to local historians, comes from a scrapyard that stood nearby half a century ago. The adventure zone next to the town’s […]

16 July 2026 28

Derby

Derby City Council under review due to ‘levels of low satisfaction’

An urgent review of Derby City Council is to take place amid serious concerns that residents have “levels of low satisfaction” with the authority. Opposition councillors backed a motion which sought immediate action from the Labour-led council to improve frontline services on people’s doorsteps. It comes after recent fall outs over grass cutting and missed bin collections which were deemed “not good enough” and “unacceptable”. Council leaders have said staffing issues have been behind delays in grass cutting across the […]

16 July 2026 23

Derbyshire

Derbyshire Constabulary recognised as a Tier Two force

Derbyshire Constabulary has been recognised as a Tier Two force, as part of a new Policing Performance system, introduced today (Thursday 16th July) by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS). The system replaces the ‘scan’ and ‘engage’ monitoring process, with forces assigned a level, according to severity and impact of performance concerns. It aims to strengthen the process for assessing force performance and facilitate improvements through earlier support and intervention where performance is declining or […]

16 July 2026 20

Derby

UK-India deal brings ‘significant benefit’ to businesses trading internationally

Firms across Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire that import or export goods are set to gain as the UK’s new trade deal with India, said to be worth £4.8bn to the UK economy each year comes into force, East Midlands Chamber has said. Head of International Trade Lucy Granger said: “India has proved to be a valuable trading partner for East Midlands importers and exporters and with this deal now active, there’s a tremendous opportunity for those that trade internationally to […]

15 July 2026 32

The planned site of 160 homes in Breadsall Hilltop. Image from Google.

Borough Wide

Plans for 160 homes have been filed for Green Belt land between a Derby suburb and a nearby village

Plans for 160 homes have been filed for Green Belt land between a Derby suburb and a nearby village. Derby-based firm Wheeldon Brothers has applied to build 160 homes off Hungerhill Close in Breadsall Hilltop, on grassland between the Derby suburb and neighbouring Breadsall. If granted permission by Erewash Borough Council, the project, which leads through an existing large newbuild estate, would include 72 properties (45 per cent) classed as affordable housing. The Breadsall Hilltop plot is a further attempt […]

15 July 2026 115

Richard Blackmore from The East Midlands Chamber

Derby

Chancellor’s focus on devolution, expanded SME finance and closer EU collaboration welcomed in key speech

The East Midlands Chamber has given its collective reaction to Chancellor Rachel Reeves’s annual Mansion House speech, delivered on 14th July. Priorities set out in the Chancellor’s City of London address included: Devolving power to regions of the UK ‘at greater scale’ Closer EU relationship with the ‘prize’ being ‘immense’ The UK-EU summit to be rescheduled ‘as soon as possible’ ‘Embracing the opportunities of AI while guarding against the risks’ Expansion of small business finance East Midlands Chamber Director of […]

15 July 2026 23

Eye health report reveals growing pressure on waiting lists in Derbyshire

Ten Derbyshire councils to be replaced with two with a north-south divide, the Government has decided

Arrest made for drug and knife offences in Long Eaton

Fun zone for kids officially opens

Derby City Council under review due to ‘levels of low satisfaction’

Derbyshire Constabulary recognised as a Tier Two force

UK-India deal brings ‘significant benefit’ to businesses trading internationally

Plans for 160 homes have been filed for Green Belt land between a Derby suburb and a nearby village

Chancellor’s focus on devolution, expanded SME finance and closer EU collaboration welcomed in key speech

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