The North East Derbyshire Council Cabinet met to discuss the simpler recycling scheme, the continuation of a management agreement for housing services, an equality plan and duty review, and a performance report on the council plan. The cabinet approved recommendations relating to all agenda items, including the simpler recycling scheme, which is subject to call-in¹.

Simpler Recycling

The cabinet approved the recommended option for simpler recycling, as outlined in the report. This decision is subject to call-in. The decision includes:

• producing a TEEP (Technical, Economic, Environmental and Practical) Assessment²
• seeking approval from the full council to recruit and establish 19 full-time equivalent (FTE) posts for food waste service operation
• providing the first roll of compostable caddy liners to residents to encourage behaviour change

The report noted the statutory changes to waste collection, including Simpler Recycling, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)³ and Deposit Return Scheme (DRS)⁴.

Continuation of Management Agreement - Housing Services

The cabinet agreed to a five-year extension of the management agreement with Rykneld Homes Ltd (RHL) for the provision of housing services, effective from 1 April 2026. They also ratified the appointment of Niall Clark as Managing Director, as required by Clause 19.1 of the Management Agreement. Rykneld Homes Ltd was formed in 2007 as part of a government initiative to create arm's length management organisations to deliver housing services. The Director of Finance & Resources (S151 Officer)⁵, as client lead, undertook an internal review in consultation with Councillor Nigel Barker, Leader of the Council, who has portfolio responsibility for Housing. The review considered RHL's performance against the Tenant Satisfaction Measures (TSM's), as well as reviewing arrangements for governance, finance and partnership working with the council. The findings of the review were listed as:

• Performance against the TSM's is good and benchmarks in the mid to upper quartile for all areas.
• The areas identified in the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) inspection are being addressed in a timely fashion.
• A review of complaints has been undertaken and changes made to process have been embedded and included in the annual report to the RSH.
• Data triangulation processes to ensure the tenant voice is both listened to and acted upon have been reviewed.
• The main finding of the 2024 inspection was a need to collect physical stock condition data by individual property. RHL had begun this process before the inspection and have continued at pace since then. They are currently at 88% collected/analysed.
• Regular finance and performance information is presented to the RHL Board, which council representatives attend. RHL performance data is included in the council's performance reporting.
• The governance arrangements put in place prior to the regulatory changes are working effectively providing sufficient assurance to the council as landlord whilst ensuring RHL retain operational autonomy.

Following the 2024 inspection, the council and RHL have had quarterly meetings with the RSH to monitor progress on stock data collection/analysis. The positive progress has led to the opportunity to be able to request a review of the C2 grading to the highest grade achievable, C1. This review is now underway with a request submitted in early September.

Lorraine Shaw, the Managing Director of RHL, is retiring after 18 years with the company.

Council Plan 2023-2027 Performance Report - Update April to June 2025

The cabinet noted progress against the Council Plan 2023-2027 objectives. Notable achievements and progress by objective included:

• A Great Place to Live Well: The successful launch of Clay Cross Active, the rollout of the £233,776 UKSPF Inclusive Communities Fund supporting seven community projects, and the commencement of planning for home improvements following the award of the £5.1 million Warm Homes Local Grant.
• A Great Place to Work: Preparations for the Digital Skills project launch in 2025/26, the start of the Derbyshire Accelerator Programme, and the promotion of council and partner job vacancies to over 3,000 email subscribers.
• A Great Place to Access Good Public Services: Improving data tools like MyMaps GIS, refining communications to boost engagement, identifying internal efficiencies through an ICT major systems review, and strengthening governance and cyber security.
• A Great Place that Cares for the Environment: Progressing the £5.1m Warm Homes Local Grant scheme, promoting sustainable behaviours through Earth Day and Food Waste Action Week campaigns, and having three car parks shortlisted for rapid EV chargers.

Equality Plan and Duty Review 2024/25

The cabinet noted progress against the objectives set within the Equality Plan 2023-2027 and ongoing compliance with the Equality Duty. The Equality Plan 2023-2027 set four objectives to further the council's work under the Equality Duty⁶. These objectives are in addition to the general equality duty obligations to eliminate unlawful discrimination, advance equality of opportunity and foster good relations between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not under the Equality Act⁷.

Progress against the three core strands of the Equality Act included:

• Eliminating discrimination, victimisation, and harassment: All council employees continue to receive regular equalities and diversity training. In response to legal developments, guidance was issued to staff and managers following the Supreme Court ruling on sex under the Equality Act 2010. The council continues to support victims of hate crime through its online self-service reporting portal, which received six reports in 2024/25. Following a spate of hate-related graffiti in Dronfield, the council successfully secured funding for a community graffiti project.
• Advancing equality of opportunity: Reasonable adjustments are available for communication formats, and mental health is actively promoted. Equality Impact Assessments help identify and support inclusive practices. In 2024/25, over 21,000 vulnerable households and 356 adults received targeted support, while more than 18,500 residents participated in inclusive physical and social activities. Accessibility improvements include Changing Places facilities, Water Wellbeing sessions, and a highly rated website for accessibility. Employment pathways at the council were strengthened through apprenticeships, trainee posts, and work experience placements.
• Fostering good relations between communities: Meaningful progress has been made in strengthening relationships with the Deaf community, most notably through the successful Deaf Community Engagement event held in May 2025. A wide range of diversity days have been actively promoted, including International Women's Day, Pride, Race Equality Week, and others, alongside awareness campaigns such as Hate Crime Awareness Week.