Since 27th March 2018, Derby City Council (DCC) has been in the pre-election period , known as “purdah”. This means that the use of Council resources for political purposes is strictly prohibited […]
Cllrs Banwait and Bayliss test the “purdah” rules: Have they used public money to influence the outcome of the election?
Alex Dann : Independent Candidate for Oakwood – “taking a chance on change”
Alex Dann, Independent Candidate for Oakwood, reflects back on her 2018 campaign: Previous article about Alex as she set off on her bid to be elected : “Can you be an Independent […]
Alan Graves (Council Leader UKIP): Manifesto 2018 interview
This is the last in a series of 3 interviews with the Party Leaders about their 2018 manifestos. Labour chose not to participate. Ruth Skelton – Liberal Democrat Matthew Holmes – Conservative […]
Labour lies to the public over its ‘fake’ claims on “congestion charging”
In Labour’s May 2018 manifesto it states – “Labour Oppose Tory Congestion Charge”. Derby Labour Leader Cllr Banwait says: “We have a choice over how to improve our air quality: pay more Tory […]
Matthew Holmes (Council Leader Conservatives): Manifesto 2018 interview
This is the second in a series of 3 interviews with the Party Leaders about their 2018 manifestos. Labour chose not to participate. Ruth Skelton – Liberal Democrat Matthew Holmes – Conservative […]
Council protects Management jobs at the expense of front-line paid Library Assistants….still to be replaced by volunteers
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 […]
Ruth Skelton (Council Leader Liberal Democrats): Manifesto 2018 interview
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 […]
Why is Cllr Banwait creating ambiguity over his address and where he lives?
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 […]
Good news! Council to receive an additional £6m government funding this year.
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 […]
Ashton’s story; 4 years lost, battling Derby City Council for an appropriate education.
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 […]
Councils “tick-box” approach to the education plans for Special Needs children is only storing up problems for the future
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 […]
RAM Energy : Can significantly overstate real savings – check the maths carefully before signing up!
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 […]
Council budget reserves increased by £46m since 2010 – so why the continuing cuts to services?
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 […]
Silverhill Primary School ‘£3000’ theft: a cover up, incompetence and the ‘uncomfortable truth’
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 […]
Can you be an Independent Councillor in May 2018 elections – Oakwood’s Alex Dann can!
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 […]
Inspiration, Participation and Fun at International Women’s Day 2018
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, […]
Cllr Shanker moves to name 3 Tory Councillors in potentially libellous Electoral Fraud motion at Full Council
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 […]
International Women’s Day Festival March 10th 2018 – it’s for everyone to enjoy!
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 […]
Steep rise in Council’s controversial building programme relies on funding risks – election year fizz?
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 […]
Parent of Special Needs child tells of “lost 8 years” waiting for proper educational provision
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, […]
