Today, the Cabinet is set to approve a proposal by Council Officers, to spend £1m on a new “Change Derby” programme. After much questioning last night at the Executive Scrutiny Board ( […]
Cabinet to approve £1m to “Change Derby” – the benefits are “an act of faith”
Council’s £5.4m deficit this year; explained by “smoke and mirrors”
When is a balanced position, not a balanced position? When you use reserves to plug the gap! When is a budget, not the budget? When you change it during the year! Some […]
Derby parents support National Crisis March for SEND ( Special Educational Needs and Disabilities)
Parents with children who have Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) have a constant battle with Derby City Council over the funding to support their child’s education. This friction is not a […]
Sporting Communities – Cook, Eat, Play in Chaddesden Park
Sporting Communities has just turned 7 years old. It was formed from the Hanley Youth Project based near Stoke, and has developed a strong presence in Derby over the last few years. […]
Council Elections – Derby shows its spirit with a Very Predictable outcome.
Whilst the local elections across the country seem to have been hit by a “Brexit effect”, the same cannot be said for Derby City Council. The Derby News predictions published on 22nd […]
Child Sex Abuse case: Chris Williamson, ex-Cllr Sara Bolton, Derby City Council and the Police failed to act. “Why the cover up?”
In April 2015, during the sentencing of Shane Clifton, a Derby man who had repeatedly raped his daughter from the age of 8 through to 13, Judge Stuart Rafferty stated ” You […]
BREAKING NEWS: Postal vote fraud allegations being investigated
There are reports that Police are investigating allegations of postal vote fraud in Abbey Ward, relating to next week’s Derby City Council elections, involving a Labour Party volunteer. Cllr Asaf […]
“An alternative to Party Politics”; Alex Dann and Phil Ingall as Independent candidates in Derby City Council elections.
The political system is not conducive to Independent candidates winning elections. The party “machines”, together with the a widespread tradition of consistently voting for the same political colour, makes it an uphill […]
Local election Party manifestos – more in common than divides them!
On 2nd May there will be local elections for each of the 17 wards in the City; this represents just one-third of the total number of Councillors in the Council chamber. All […]
Will the lure of money over-rule heritage value in the development of Derby’s historic Middleton House?
In the heart of Derby, near to the Cathedral, on St Mary’s Gate, is a Grade II listed building – MIddleton House. It is situated within the City Conservation Area and is […]
Special Needs Education Funding shortfall: Creative solutions required not careless communications.
Funding for the education of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) is a very sensitive issue but rarely attracts much popular attention. When it does, it is often misunderstood. Support […]
Derby’s new Landmark building: Questions to be asked about the Property Developer, Godwin “group”
At 17 floors high, and 201 residential apartments, the “Landmark” is set to be the tallest building in Derby City Centre. Sited on the car park on Phoenix Street, adjacent to St […]
After 7 month hiatus, new, improved Library implementation plan fails at first hurdle.
The Council’s Library strategy is a mirage – an illusion! An unreachable position; but one that is still affecting the lives of dozens of library staff still left dangling in limbo. Thus […]
A slur made about Cllr Amo Raju’s disability leads to a positive outcome for the Council
Cllr Amo Raju was elected to the Council just under 4 years ago. As the Chief Executive of Disability Direct, for over two decades, he has been instrumental in promoting support for […]
Sinfin Incinerator : Council should be decisive on termination and unlock the contractual check-mate.
It has been well documented that, from 1 October 2018 the Councils ( Derby City and Derbyshire County) have had the right to terminate the Sinfin Incinerator Project Agreement with the main […]
Quick Guide to the Council’s 2019/20 Budget ; next stage, develop community integration
Next week the Full Council agrees the 209 page Budget statement for 2019/20. This is a weighty document for the busy reader. Below is a quick guide through the main highlights. What’s […]
Where did the money go? Police and Crime Commissioner withholds funds from Joe Russo’s Enthusiasm charity.
Last November I reported on the questionable status of Joe Russo’s Enthusiasm Trust and the antipathy towards the organisation despite recently receiving a Queen’s Award for Volunteering. Joe Russo’s Enthusiasm Trust bouyed […]
A52 Project : “comprehensive failings and weaknesses over a long period of time”
Today, the Council issued the Independent Reviewer’s 136 page report on the A52 project. As highlighted in previous Derby News articles, the root cause of the cost overruns and delays was poor […]
Assembly Rooms: Is the Council’s ‘Refurbished’ option really Value for Money?
In December 2018 the Conservative administration announced their plans to refurbish and enhance the Assembly Rooms for £24m. This was in contrast to the previous Labour administration’s plans to build a new […]
Allenton’s St Martin’s Church “makeover”; made possible by many acts of community kindness.
On 1st February 2019 the St Martin’s Church in Allenton will be putting on an 18 hour re-launch extravaganza to celebrate its 18 month long transformation. A limited amount of money achieved […]
