Council unveil three-year "no-nonsense" plan

Derbyshire County Council has unveiled a new Council Plan setting out its priorities and direction through to 2029, with leaders promising a more “focused, pragmatic and no-nonsense” approach.

The plan, approved earlier this year and now formally launched, outlines a shift in how the authority intends to operate, with a stronger emphasis on core services, financial discipline and reducing bureaucracy. 

Council leaders say the document is designed to be clearer and easier for residents to understand, setting out key outcomes alongside the areas the authority will prioritise in response to rising demand and increasing costs. 

Councillor Alan Graves, Leader of Derbyshire County Council, said the plan represents a significant change in direction. 

He said: “We’re committed to reforming services for Derbyshire and I’m proud to launch our new Council Plan which is focused, pragmatic and firmly rooted in the priorities of Derbyshire residents. 

“We listened carefully to residents’ views when putting the new plan together as part of a full review, identifying what was not working, what the people of Derbyshire were telling us, and making deliberate and carefully thought-out choices about what this council should and should not be doing. 

“This new plan is not a continuation of what has gone before, it’s a wholesale reset, and at its core it is about cutting bureaucracy, focusing on core statutory responsibilities and delivering value for money while continuing to provide quality services to those who need them.” 

The council says the plan has been shaped by financial pressures and increasing demand for services, particularly in areas such as social care and special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). It states that future spending will be more tightly focused to ensure resources are directed where they are most needed. 

Councillor Graves added: “The backdrop to the plan is rising demand and rising costs, which have helped us to focus on what really matters and ensure we are disciplined in how we use public money, ensuring every pound is spent where it’s needed and there is no waste or funding of services that should be the responsibility of national government. 

“We’re focusing on delivery of services that people rely on with a particular emphasis on priority areas including improving Derbyshire’s roads and working with partners to improve services for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).” 

The authority says improving road conditions will be a key priority, with a commitment to faster repairs, tackling potholes and investing in highway drainage. Alongside this, the council plans to work with partners to improve SEND provision by reducing waiting times for assessments, increasing school places and expanding early intervention support. 

The plan also highlights wider ambitions to strengthen the local economy by working with the East Midlands Combined County Authority, support businesses, and promote healthier lifestyles by tackling issues such as smoking, alcohol use, poor diet and inactivity. 

On environmental policy, the council says it will support energy security and clean, affordable energy “where it makes sense,” while avoiding what it describes as measures that could increase costs for residents and businesses. 

Councillor Graves said: “Together with residents and local partners, we will build a secure and prosperous future for Derbyshire – grounded in common sense, fairness, and local control.” 

Key priorities outlined in the plan include improving road maintenance, delivering budget savings, streamlining council operations, boosting economic growth, improving SEND services, supporting families and early years provision, enhancing care services, improving public health, and protecting Derbyshire’s natural environment and heritage. 

The Council Plan came into effect in April 2026 and will run until 2029. However, its lifespan may be shortened if proposed local government reorganisation goes ahead, with new unitary authorities for Derby and Derbyshire expected to introduce their own plans from April 2028. 

You can view and download the full plan here: https://www.derbyshire.gov.uk/council/council-plan/council-plan/council-plan-2026-to-2029.aspx