In 2002/23 , Derby City Council spent £8.4m on Home to School transport. The cost of the service increases each year with last year’s budget being overspent by £3m. The Council has […]
Cllr Roulstone (Finance) forgets borrowing £25m!
Derby City Council’s Budget Reserves have been dramatically depleted over the last few years under the Tory administration from £35.9m to £18.3m with a further significant reduction this year. This subject was […]
Council already forecasting a £12m overspend – incompetent budgeting!
In a Council Cabinet report to be presented next Wednesday, the Finance Team, headed by Simon Riley, will be reporting a forecast overspend of £12m just 3 months into the 2021/22 financial […]
Booking a slot at Raynesway tip. How difficult is it?
Just over a year ago, Derby City Council introduced a booking system for Rayneway tip ( Household Waste Recycling Centre – HWRC). This was done to avoid over crowding and maintain social […]
Holiday Hunger: £1.2m “additional” money yet the Tories continue to be vague on Derby’s response.
At the Cabinet meeting on 9th June 2021, it was announced that the Council had just been made aware (since 2nd June2021) of an additional £1.195m, from the Government, for the Holiday […]
The ony future for Derby City Council is a formal Coalition
The local elections on May 6th will result in another “hung” Council, with no party in overall control. In May 2018 the Council needed a change from the disastrous Banwait leadership. Although, […]
Derby Tories rush through major decisions prior to Elections – avoiding scrutiny
In what seems like pre-election panic, Derby City Council’s Tory administration are rushing through 2 significant decisions prior to Polling Day on the 6th May, by-passing any form of public scrutiny. Becketwell […]
Becketwell Performance Venue: subsidy could require 1.5% Council Tax increase
Early in 2020, with the Assembly Rooms refurbishment plan in tatters, St James Securities (SJS)- the developer of Becketwell, presented the Council with an offer it couldn’t refuse; to build a modern, […]
Rough Sleepers, Homelessness gives Derby Food4Thought
According to Derby City Council’s official Rough Sleeper Count – there were 6 people sleeping on the streets at the end of November 2020 – down from 14 a year earlier. If […]
Despite Cllr Barker’s “personal interest” in the Market Hall project, there is still dithering and lack of vision
During the 11th November 2020 Cabinet meeting, Cllr Mick Barker, belatedly declared an interest in the Market Hall refurbishment project; he was advised to do so by the Council’s Legal Officer. He […]
Council plans to use Adult Social care money to pay for Free School Meals. Is this legal?
There are 2 elements to the Council Tax increase for 2021/22: Core tax which can be increased by up to a maximum of 1.99% ( without a referendum) Adult Social Care (ASC) […]
True Spirit of Christmas: Council Neighbourhood Team’s week of “Cheer”
Normally at Christmas, in Derby, there would be events in December to bring together the elderly, vulnerable and isolated, so they could share a full Dinner with all the trimmings, Santa, a […]
Chellaston Cllr McCristal’s Facebook rant results in Tory Party Officer’s resignation
On the 9th December 2020. Cllr Ross McCristal ( Conservative Councillor for Chellaston) took to Facebook to make a lengthy post, levelling accusations against his fellow Chellaston Cllr Phil Ingall (Independent). The […]
Council’s Financial reserves plummeting!
Since the Tories took control of the Council in May 2018, the usable revenue financial reserves level has rapidly declined despite an increase in overall funding. The budget paper to be presented […]
Council’s Assembly Rooms demolition plans in ruins
Following the Tories’ failed manifesto promise to refurbish the Assembly Rooms, their next plan was to accept the offer from St James Securities to build a New Performance venue in the Becketwell […]
Council’s Neighbourhood Team plans “Christmas Cheer” for 850+ of Derby’s elderly, lonely and isolated
In previous years, many of Derby’s wards arranged Christmas dinner events for 30-70 elderly, lonely and isolated people in the City. In the current Covid climate these are not possible. So, rather […]
Market Hall transformation: Council needs at least another £15m to complete it.
The Market Hall in Derby is a great asset for the City Centre. Built in 1866, it is a Grade II listed building. By 2017 it needed significant roof repairs, and work […]
2 out of 3 children in Derbyshire live with untreated mental health conditions
In Derby and Derbyshire there are 179,000 children. It is estimated that 23,000 have a diagnosable mental health condition. Only 30-35% of these children have access to any Mental Health service. “Children […]
£100k of Tax Payer’s money to confirm Cllr Poulter’s non-preference over Local Government re-organisation?
The Government is set to issue its White Paper on Local Government reform with the intention of reducing the number of Councils, improving accountability and saving money. Whilst the details have not […]
Mackworth residents threatened with eviction as they are not vulnerable enough.
The 7 residents at Park View flats in Mackworth are on the verge of eviction. The arrangement, led by the new owners, Henley Investment Management Ltd, need them out, as they are […]