The Council’s strategy to offload 10 libraries to Direct Help and Advice (DHA) by the end of 2018, is now in progress with the first library, Sinfin, being handed over in Mid-May […]
This is the first in a series of 3 interviews with the Party Leaders about their 2018 manifestos. Labour chose not to paticipate. Ruth Skelton – Liberal Democrat Matthew Holmes – Conservative […]
Plain accuracy with addresses for people in elected office is of paramount importance. This is such a sensitive subject that there is no room for ambiguity. It is a matter of public […]
As lead partner in a consortium of local authorities in the county, Derby City Council is taking part in a pilot scheme to enable the Government to develop its plan to move […]
By law every child is entitled to an “appropriate education” regardless of ability. The Council, legally, has to take the necessary steps to provide schooling that recognises the needs of the individual […]
3.5 years ago, all Councils were mandated by Government to convert all old-style Special Educational Needs (SEN) Statements into a new, more comprehensive Education Heath and Care Plan (EHCP); this document is […]
The Council has previously back-tracked significantly on its claim that Ram Energy is the cheapest tariff. It revised the position to state that, if someone has not switched before, then RAM Energy […]
Since 2010 Derby City Council has done a good job in managing its finances and protecting its reserves – in fact so good, specific usable budget reserves have increased by £46m! Many […]
Last week, Sarah Lloyd, who had been Treasurer, and then Chair, of the Silverhill Primary School Parent, Teachers and Friends Association (PTFA), based in Mickleover, pleaded guilty to the theft of nearly […]
Alex Dann is trying to get elected to Derby City Council an exclusive way – as an Independent candidate for Oakwood. She won’t have the support of any party machinery in her […]
An eclectic range of talent, organisations, charities, art forms, and more, gathered in the Market Place on 10th March 2018 for the annual International Women’s Day Festival. The theme was Rebel Women, […]
In August 2016, Richard Smalley was found guilty of electoral fraud in his attempt to become Conservative Councillor for the Allestree Ward; he stated a false address on his nomination paper. The […]
The volunteer team behind International Women’s Day exceed themselves each year in this energetic, inspiring, all-inclusive festival in Derby. This year marks 100 years since women first won the right to vote […]
Derby, like all cities, needs to spend considerable amounts of money each year on maintaining, and developing schools, roads, housing, and completing significant new infrastructure projects. These are long term programmes, which […]
In response to the last Derby News article on, “Council now misleading Department of Education on Special Needs Children Plans …”to avoid being in the headlines”, a parent from Sinfin contacted me, […]
The transfer of Statements to Education Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) for Special Needs Children is a programme that has to be legally completed by 31 March 2018. It started in September […]
Delivering on budget for any organisation is always a success, especially one the size of Derby City Council – this is the expectation for 2017/18 ( reported in the Cabinet meeting 14 […]
Last week, Derby News highlighted that the Council’s Monitoring Officer, Janie Berry, had instructed the censoring of the public video record of the Full Council Meeting of the 24th January 2018. This […]
There is only fact that is certain with Council finances, and that is the amount of money (revenue) available to the Council to spend each year ( exc. schools) No one knows […]
The popular belief is that the Council is closing the Central Library to save money for the Council Tax payer; a necessity driven by funding cuts from Central Government. However, it will […]
