Derbyshire County Council Archives

Derbyshire County Council HQ at County Hall. Image by Eddie Bisknell

Reform UK’s cost-cutting “DOGE” team shows no intention to visit to tackle County Council budget issues

Reform UK’s cost-cutting “DOGE” team has not made any indication it is interested or intends to visit Derbyshire to tackle its budget issues. It has now been more than a year since Reform UK were handed the keys to Derbyshire County Council, including flagship pledges around “DOGE” – in a bid to achieve Government efficiency. In that time, the administration has retitled the role of finance cabinet member to include “DOGE” and the word efficiency, adopted by postholder Councillor John […]

14 July 2026 12

Derbyshire

Reform UK-led County Council dubbed “fascists” after slashing opposition leader pay without evidence or justification

Reform UK’s Derbyshire administration has been dubbed “fascists” after a report found they slashed the pay of the opposition leader with a complete lack of any evidence or justification. In March, at Derbyshire County Council’s full council meeting, the Reform UK administration brought in a last-minute move to cut the pay of the opposition group’s leader, Conservative Councillor Alex Dale, from £18,840 to £12,560 – a reduction of £6,280. At the time, Reform leader Councillor Alan Graves, who has an […]

9 July 2026

Derbyshire

SEND, social care, and road maintenance remain significant challenges for County Council officials

Children with special education needs, social care and road maintenance continue to pose significant challenges, despite signs of progress, say Derbyshire council officials. A new report shows that at the end of the last financial year, Derbyshire County Council – run by Reform UK – finished with a slight underspend of £2 million – 0.25 percent of its £792 million budget. Councillor John Lawson, Reform’s cabinet member for finance, welcomed this news with positivity and caution, saying while it was […]

6 July 2026

Borough Wide

Walkers urged to steer clear of Osborne’s Pond following oil leak

Walkers are being warned by Derbyshire County Council to stay away from Osborne’s Pond in Shipley Country Park following an oil spill. Rangers were made aware of the leak by a member of the public at lunchtime on Sunday 28th June 2026. The area was cordoned off and Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service were called to the scene to assist with containing the spillage, which was entering the pond through an inlet pipe. Two booms were placed in front of […]

29 June 2026 42

Community Notices

Essential reservoir safety work at Osborne’s Pond

Essential safety work will start at Derbyshire County Council-run Shipley Country Park next week to improve the stability of the dam at Osborne’s Pond. The water level in Osborne’s Pond will be temporarily lowered and, from Monday 6th July 2026, Shipley Lane bridleway will be closed at the point it crosses the dam, close to the entrance from Roper Avenue, to allow the work to take place. The closure will be in place for a distance of around 250 metres […]

25 June 2026 13

Borough Wide

Eight County Council-run care homes now empty and closed, after planned sale failure

Eight Derbyshire council-run care homes have now been emptied and closed, with remaining residents moved elsewhere, after planned sales to a sole provider failed late last year. All eight care homes which had been put up for sale by Derbyshire County Council have now been vacated as of the first week of June, it has confirmed, with processes to “dispose” of the buildings now beginning. For some former care homes, this disposal process could include reuse by another council service, […]

15 June 2026 327

Derbyshire

Derbyshire County Council agrees to oppose visitor entry charges to the Peak District

Derbyshire County Council’s Reform UK administration has confirmed it has no plans to charge visitors and motorists coming into the Peak District National Park after the Council Leader had previously suggested the possibility of an entry fee. Opposition Conservative Group Leader, Cllr Alex Dale, urged the Reform council administration to back a motion at a council meeting on May 27th to express its opposition to entry charges. It came after he had successfully persuaded the authority to join opposition to […]

5 June 2026 20

New Derbyshire County Council Chair, Cllr Jodie Brown with outgoing Chair, Cllr Nick Adams

Long Eaton

New County Council Chair announced at AGM

A behaviour psychologist with a long-standing career in education has been appointed to the role of Council Chairman for Derbyshire County Council for the year ahead. Councillor Jodie Brown, who represents the Long Eaton South Division, was appointed to the role at the county council’s AGM and Full Council meeting on Wednesday 27th May, attended by Deputy Lieutenant for Derbyshire Tony Walker CBE. Councillor Brown, who has served the last year as the council’s Vice Chair, was presented with her […]

28 May 2026 10

Borough Wide

Changes to ‘Home to School’ transport policies to be considered (meeting: 21st May)

Proposals to change home to school transport policies will be discussed by Derbyshire County Council next week. Cabinet will be asked to agree to update travel policies in line with national guidance for eligible school children aged five to 16, Post 16 learners and students with special educational needs and disabilities. It follows a public consultation where 450 people gave their views on the proposals to make both policies clearer, fairer and sustainable in the face of rising demand and […]

15 May 2026 32

Derbyshire County Council

Reform UK’s cost-cutting “DOGE” team shows no intention to visit to tackle County Council budget issues

Reform UK-led County Council dubbed “fascists” after slashing opposition leader pay without evidence or justification

Walkers urged to steer clear of Osborne’s Pond following oil leak

Essential reservoir safety work at Osborne’s Pond

Eight County Council-run care homes now empty and closed, after planned sale failure

Derbyshire County Council agrees to oppose visitor entry charges to the Peak District

New County Council Chair announced at AGM

Changes to ‘Home to School’ transport policies to be considered (meeting: 21st May)

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