Derbyshire County Council's cabinet approved a public consultation on home to school transport policy changes, gave the go-ahead for a compulsory purchase order to support the South Derbyshire Growth Zone, and discussed budget preparations for 2026/27. The cabinet also reviewed performance and budget monitoring reports, progress at Markham Vale, and updates to the Library Strategy.

South Derbyshire Growth Zone Compulsory Purchase Order

The cabinet approved proceeding with a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) to acquire land for enabling infrastructure within the South Derbyshire Growth Zone (SDGZ). This project aims to bring forward housing and commercial development by creating a new junction on the A50 and linking it to existing roads within Infinity Park Derby.

The decision includes:

• Noting an update, including additional land to be added to the CPO.
• Approving delegation agreements with Derby City Council and National Highways.
• Approving the making, publication and notice of the Side Roads Order (SRO) and CPO for the areas of land as shown in Appendix 2 and Appendix 3.
• Approving the submission of the CPO and SRO to the Secretary of State for Transport for confirmation.
• Authorising the Director of Legal and Democratic Services to take necessary steps regarding compensation and to appoint counsel for any public inquiry.
• Authorising the Executive Director – Place to negotiate with objectors and other landholders, and the Director of Legal and Democratic Services to draw up and execute necessary documents.
• Approving taking ownership of land and authorising the Director of Legal and Democratic Services to complete acquisitions.
• Authorising the Executive Director – Place to negotiate compensation and approve payment of professional fees incurred by landowners.
• Authorising the Director of Legal and Democratic Services, in consultation with the Executive Director – Place to make minor amends to the schedules to the CPO as may be necessary prior to making the CPO.

The report noted that the land allocation for the proposed jobs and houses is included in the adopted South Derbyshire District Council Local Plan and the Derby City Local Plan.

The report also noted that based on current cost estimates, construction of the SDGZ scheme requires a total budget of £77.04m, with a provisional Government grant of £49.6m from the Levelling Up Fund, a minimum £6m local contribution from developers, and a current funding gap of circa £19.24m.

The report stated that the Council has taken into account government guidance in considering the potential shortfall in funding, and that based on recent discussions with the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) and other key stakeholders, there is sufficient confidence that genuine options do exist for this to regard the project as fundable.

Children's Services Home to School Transport Policy

The cabinet approved a public consultation on potential changes to the Home to School Transport Policy for compulsory school age children and the post 16 transport policy statement.

The report noted that Derbyshire County Council currently supports around 10,000 children and young people each day by providing transport to and from school, and that the council is reviewing both its Home to School Transport Policy and Post 16 Transport Policy.

The report outlined proposed changes to the policies, including:

• Renaming the Home to School Transport Policy to School Travel Policy for children of compulsory school age.
• Revising 'spare seat' charges for children not eligible for free school transport.
• Introducing pick-up points for specialised transport arrangements.
• Changing how the council determines the home address used when considering applications in respect of children residing equally between two parental homes.
• Providing clear information about how distances are measured.
• Changing the qualifying criteria for Extended Rights for Low-Income Families.
• Introducing Personal Travel Budgets (PTBs).
• Enhancing Independent Travel Training (ITT).
• Providing clear information about how the council considers the use of discretion.
• Undertaking route assessments.
• Changing Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) application processing timescales.
• Modernising the Post-16 Travel Support Policy Statement.
• Introducing Pick-Up Points for SEND Learners.
• Considering changes to parental contributions.

Preparation of Budget 2026/27

The cabinet approved the timetable for completion of the 2026-27 budget, including arrangements for consultation with stakeholders and the carrying out of an assessment of the need for a full equality impact assessment on budget savings proposals.

The cabinet also noted the annual pre-budget engagement activities including the Your Council, Your Voice Survey, the proposals for reviewing and updating the Medium-Term Financial Plan, and the arrangements for reviewing Earmarked Reserves and updating the General Reserve projections.

Performance Monitoring and Budget Monitoring/Forecast Outturn

The cabinet noted the update of Council Plan performance, progress with the delivery of savings, and the Revenue Budget position/forecast outturn for 2025-26 as at 30 September 2025 (Quarter 2).

The cabinet also approved the use of reserves to support the SEND improvement plan, adopted the amendments relating to the flexible use of capital receipts strategy, and approved the virement of £2.432m Capital Borrowing and £1.833m revenue funding from Place to CST for the Highways Depot Improvement Works.

Markham Vale Update on Development Progress

The cabinet noted the continuing success and progress made in bringing forward the development at Markham Vale and the economic activity that has taken place over the period October 2024 to October 2025, and approved the activity planned over the coming years to bring the project to completion.

Library Strategy Update on Progress

The cabinet confirmed the continued delivery of the current Library Strategy approved by Cabinet on 9 January 2025 and noted the update of progress in its implementation.

The cabinet also delegated decisions on the proposed relocation of Clay Cross Library from its existing site to a new extension of the Clay Cross Adult Education building to the Executive Director for Place and the Executive Director for Corporate Services and Transformation in consultation with the Portfolio Holders for Health and Communities, Business Services and Strategic Leadership to continue to explore opportunities to secure improvements to Clay Cross Library in liaison with North East Derbyshire District Council and other key stakeholders as appropriate.

Markham Vale Delegated Decisions

The cabinet approved the recommendations in the not for publication report regarding the delegated decisions for the continued redevelopment of the Markham Vale taken by the Executive Director - Place, in conjunction with the Leader of the Council.

Other items

The cabinet also approved the minutes of the previous meeting held on 13 November 2025, and the exempt minutes of the meeting held on 13 November 2025.