The Cabinet of Derbyshire County Council met on Thursday, 10 September 2026, to discuss a range of important issues, approving strategies for employment and skills, allocating developer contributions for educational projects, and noting progress on the highways capital programme. Key decisions also included approving a collaboration agreement with Elvaston Castle and Gardens Trust and allocating funding for school adaptations to support pupils with special educational needs and disabilities.

Highways Capital Programme Delivery

Councillor Charlotte Hill, Cabinet Member for Highways, presented the report on the delivery of the Highways Capital Programme for Quarter One of 2026-27. The Cabinet noted that £17.500m of the annual Highways Capital Programme had been delivered in the first quarter. Additionally, the Cabinet was informed of the secured external funding to deliver priority schemes outside the core Highways Capital Programme, including investment through the Safer Roads Fund and targeted funding for A6 retaining walls and countywide landslip mitigation works. This additional funding will enable further improvements across the highway network.

Derbyshire Employment and Skills Strategy 2026-2030

Councillor John Lawson, Cabinet Member for Finance and Efficiency (DOGE), introduced the Derbyshire Employment and Skills Strategy 2026-2030. The Cabinet resolved to formally adopt the strategy, which aims to create a more inclusive, resilient, and productive employment and skills system in Derbyshire by 2030. The strategy outlines objectives such as increasing resident employment, improving high-level skills, and preparing residents and businesses for future employment needs. The Cabinet also supported the proposed approach to developing an Action Plan for the strategy's implementation and delegated the approval of the final Action Plan and subsequent amendments to the Executive Director of Place, in consultation with Councillor Lawson.

Collaboration Agreement with Elvaston Castle and Gardens Trust

Councillor Carol Wood, Cabinet Member for Environment, presented the report on the collaboration agreement between Derbyshire County Council and Elvaston Castle and Gardens Trust. The Cabinet approved the Council entering into the proposed Collaboration Agreement with the Trust. Furthermore, approval was granted for the payment of grant funding to the Elvaston Castle and Gardens Trust of £0.50m per annum for the period 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2031, representing a total funding commitment of £2.50m. This agreement aims to support the Trust's continued work in community engagement, volunteering, fundraising, and heritage and educational programmes at the Elvaston Estate.

Allocation of Funding for Children's Services

Councillor Simon Mabbott, Cabinet Member for SEND and Education, introduced the report on the allocation of funding from the Children's Services School Condition Allocation and High Needs Provision Capital Allocation. The Cabinet approved the request for funding from these budgets to support necessary adaptations within maintained schools for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). This included front-funding of £125,000 for South Wingfield Primary School from the Children's Services School Condition Allocation. Additionally, the Cabinet approved the transfer of already approved funding from the Children's Services Basic Need 2023/24 budget for a scheme at Drakelow Flying High Academy Primary School, to be transferred directly to the Academy Trust via a Legal Agreement. The Cabinet noted that these allocations will support the Council's commitment to ensuring children and young people, particularly those with SEND, can access high-quality education in inclusive environments.

Children's Services Allocation of Section 106 Developer Contributions

Councillor Paul Maginnis, Cabinet Member for Children and Families, presented the report on the allocation of Section 106 developer contributions. The Cabinet noted the receipt and availability of Section 106 funding and approved allocations to various projects aimed at improving educational opportunities, learning environments, and school capacity for children and young people across Derbyshire. This included noting a change of scheme for approved developer contributions for Hulland Primary School and approving the transfer of Section 106 developer contributions totalling £811,772.42 directly to Derby Diocesan Academy Trust for a self-managed project at Bolsover C of E Junior School.

Treasury Management Report 2026/27

Councillor John Lawson, Cabinet Member for Finance and Efficiency (DOGE), introduced the Treasury Management Report as at 30 June 2026 (Quarter 1). The Cabinet noted the report detailing Treasury Management activities and confirmed the Council's compliance with the prudential indicators set by the Council in February 2026, in accordance with the CIPFA Code. The report provided an overview of the Council's borrowing and investment activities, highlighting compliance with treasury management strategies and risk management frameworks.

Capital Budget Monitoring and Forecast 2026/27

Councillor John Lawson also presented the Capital Budget Monitoring and Forecast for 2026/27 as at 30 June 2026. The Cabinet noted the current position on the monitoring of the Council's Capital Programme for 2026-27. The report detailed expenditure and forecast outturns across various directorates, highlighting projected variances and the reprofiling of budgets to future years for several significant schemes.

Performance Monitoring and Budget Monitoring/Forecast Outturn 2026/27

Councillor John Lawson presented the Performance Monitoring and Budget Monitoring/Forecast Outturn report for 2026/27 as at 30 June 2026 (Quarter 1). The Cabinet noted the update on Council Plan performance, progress with savings delivery, and the Revenue Budget position. Subject to the Executive Director approving the restructure of the SEND Service to meet service demand, the Cabinet approved the use of reserves to support additional costs. The Cabinet also noted the position on Reserves and delegated responsibility to the Director of Finance, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Efficiency, to accept grants related to Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) transition costs and their allocation to a reserve. Authority was also given to the Chief Executive to approve expenditure on LGR transition costs against monies received.

LGR Programme: Phase 2 Implementation

Councillor Paul Parkin, Cabinet Member for LGR and Transformation, introduced the report on the Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) Programme: Phase 2 Implementation. The Cabinet approved Derbyshire County Council acting as the host authority for the LGR Implementation Reserve across all ten Derby and Derbyshire councils. They also approved Derbyshire County Council acting as the Contracting Authority to secure external support for LGR, on behalf of the ten councils. Authority was delegated to the Executive Director Corporate Services and Transformation to finalise procurement and award contracts for a Delivery Partner for LGR. The Cabinet noted that Derbyshire County Council may be asked to act as contracting authority for other contracts or as employer for LGR programme roles. Furthermore, authority was delegated to the Executive Director Corporate Services and Transformation to agree the Heads of Terms for the Inter-Authority Agreement and to enter into the agreement.

Request to Increase Contract Value for PLACE136 Road Markings

Councillor Charlotte Hill presented the report requesting an increase to the contract value for PLACE136 Road Markings. The Cabinet resolved to approve the recommendations in the not for publication report.

The meeting concluded at 12:18 pm.