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 […]
Councils “tick-box” approach to the education plans for Special Needs children is only storing up problems for the future
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, […]
Council now misleading Department of Education on Special Needs Children Plans …”to avoid being in the headlines”
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 […]
Council to hit budget this year; with some interesting swings, and no need to close libraries.
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 […]
Cllr Nawaz; why was he punished when there was no “complaint” and no formal “hearing” of the facts?
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 […]
How much money did the Council get to spend each year. Nearly constant since 2010. Massive cuts?
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 […]
Council to spend over £1m to close the Central Library – no savings to the taxpayer until 2027.
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 […]
Holocaust Memorial Day in Derby, 2018
In Derby, Holocaust Memorial Day is remembered through a number of events during the week. The focal point is at the QUAD which, this year was on Thursday 25th. The programme covers […]
Full Council Meeting : “a truly depressing evening”
At last nights Council meeting, Cllr Fareed Hussein sunk to a new low by accusing Cllr Smale that his motion to have Cllr Nawaz removed from a Committee was motivated by Racism! […]
Council’s library strategy will fail until it accepts that the answer is NOT with Community Managed Libraries (CMLs)
The Council’s policy, with respect to the 10 non-statutory libraries, was to encourage volunteer led community groups to run them; so-called Community Managed Libraries (CMLs- as defined by Locality). No such groups […]
Another no-show for Cllr Banwait at the Council Cabinet meeting – has he lost interest?
The Council Cabinet meeting, which meets every month, and is chaired by the Leader of the Council, Cllr Ranjit Banwait, is the main executive forum for authorising policy and expenditure. This is […]
Council finds £5.3m new savings! Choose to save care/library services, or create 11 more senior management jobs costing £500k pa?
The Council Cabinet will be discussing its 2018/19 Budget next week following a period of consultation at the end of 2017. It found savings in the budget of £5.3m principally due to: […]
