Decisions

1.     That Cabinet agrees to support and become accountable body for the Pride in Place Programme whilst the Council is managing the Programme.

2.     That Cabinet endorses the proposed Pride in Place delivery framework.

3.     That Cabinet delegates to the Leader Council nominations for Pride in Place board and any other roles in the governance structure, both now and in the future.

4.     To ensure engagement across the whole Pride in Place area, adopt the name ‘Three Pits Pride in Place (PIP)’ for the promotion and consultation of the Programme.

This was a Key Decision. The call in period for this decision would run until Thursday 5 February 2026.

That Cabinet:

1.     Noted the statutory consultation process for Local Government Reorganisation in Derbyshire.

2.     Agreed the proposed responses to the Government’s statutory consultation questions set out in section 6 of this report, including explicit support for Option A1 within the One Derbyshire, Two Councils proposals and use the wording in the report to inform the response to all Derbyshire consultation questions.

3.     Delegated any minor changes to the final response, for all Derbyshire consultation questions, to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder.

This was not a Key Decision and so can be implemented with immediate effect by officers.

1.     That Members considered the content of this report and the pre- publication Issues and Options consultation material that will be made available and approve its use for public consultation.

2.     That Members approve the proposed arrangements for public consultation on the Issues and Options for the Local Plan.

3.     That Members delegate responsibility to the Assistant Director of Planning in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Place for approving the detailed wording of the Issues and Options consultation material and final arrangements for public consultation.

This was not a Key Decision and so can be implemented with immediate effect by officers.

That Cabinet note the report concerning the Council’s Treasury Management report for Quarter 3.

This was not a Key Decision and so can be implemented with immediate effect by officers.

That Cabinet note the report and made any comments that they believe to be appropriate with regards to the budget monitoring position outlined.

This was not a Key Decision and so can be implemented with immediate effect by officers.

That Cabinet approves the updated timetable for the preparation of the Local Plan and associated changes to the published Local Development Scheme, authorises its publication and that it shall have immediate effect.

This was not a Key Decision and so can be implemented with immediate effect by officers.

To amend the current Enforcement Plan in line with the details in this report.

This was not a Key Decision and so can be implemented with immediate effect by officers.

That progress against the Council Plan 2023-2027 objectives be noted.

This was not a Key Decision and so can be implemented with immediate effect by officers.

The report to Council provided information for the approval of the Council’s suite of Treasury Strategies for 2026/27 to 2029/30.

The report outlined the Council’s proposed suite of Treasure Strategies, which contained:

·         The Treasury Strategy which provided the framework for managing the Council’s cash flows, borrowing and investments, and the associated risks for the period.

·         The Capital Strategy which was intended to provide a high level, concise overview of how capital expenditure, capital financing and treasury management activity contributed to the provision of the Council’s Services.

·         The Investment Strategy which focused on investments made for service purposes and commercial reasons, rather than those made for treasury management.

The strategies provided an approved framework within which officers undertook the day-to-day capital and treasury activities.

Councillors P Kerry and N Barker proposed and seconded a Motion to approve the recommendations as contained within the report.

Councillor H Wetherall spoke about the general principle of centralisation of funding not allowing for local decision making, and Councillor M Thacker MBE spoke about the investment strategy and the need to get the best value long term.

RESOLVED – That:

(1)  Council approve the Treasury Management Strategy at Appendix 1 and in particular:

a)    Approve the Borrowing Strategy

b)    Approve the Investment Strategy

c)    Approve the use of the external treasury management advisors Counterparty Weekly List (or similar) to determine the latest assessment of the counterparties that meet the Council’s Criteria before any investment is undertaken.

d)    Approve the Prudential Indicators.

(2)  Council approve the Capital Strategy as set out in Appendix 2 and in particular

a)    Approve the Capital Financing Requirement

b)    Approve the Minimum Revenue Provision Statement for 2026/27

c)    Approve the Prudential Indicators for 2026/27, in particular:

Authorised Borrowing Limit            £224.18m

Operational Boundary                     £219.18m

Capital Financing Requirement    £211.07m

(3)  Council approve the Investment Strategy as set out in Appendix 3.

(4)  Council approve the Flexible Use of Capital Receipts Strategy at Appendix 4.

The report to Council sought approval for the Current Budget for 2025/26 and Original Budget for 2026/27 for the General Fund, Housing Revenue Account and Capital Programme as part of the Council’s Medium Term Financial Plan covering the years 2025/26 to 2029/30.

Members were informed that Cabinet had considered and endorsed the proposals at its meeting on 15 January 2026 following on from scrutiny at the Joint Scrutiny Committee on 14 January 2026.

The Director of Finance and Resources and Section 151 Officer gave a presentation on the budget proposals. Members then asked any technical questions of the officer.

Councillor P Kerry, Deputy Leader of the Council, provided background to the budget setting and moved a Motion that Council approve recommendations 1 to 6 in the report.  Councillor N Barker spoke and seconded the Motion.

Councillor A Dale moved an amendment to freeze Council Tax (to amend recommendation 3 to 0% instead of 2.99%). This was seconded by Councillor Helen Wetherall.

Councillors M Thacker MBE, K Gillott, H Wetherall, R Shipman, D Hancock, J Barry and F Adlington-Stringer spoke regarding the budget proposal and amendment.

The amendment was put to the vote. As required by law this was taken as a recorded vote.  The amendment failed.

For: 14

Councillors F Adlington-Stringer, N Baker, S Clough, A Dale, L Deighton, M Foster, P Jones, W Jones, H Liggett, R Spooner, J Stokes, M Thacker MBE, R Welton, H Wetherall

Against: 27

Councillors N Barker, J Barry, G Baxter, R Beech, J Birkin, D Cheetham, A Cooper, S Cornwell, S Fawcett, C Fletcher, C Gare, K Gillott, D Hancock, L Hartshorne, D Higgon, P Kerry, C Lacey, T Lacey, F Petersen, S Pickering, M Roe, K Rouse, R Shipman, D Skinner, Caroline Smith, M Smith, L Stone

Councillor R Shipman moved an amendment to increase Council Tax by 1% (to amend recommendation 3 to 1% instead of 2.99%). This was seconded by Councillor D Hancock.

The amendment was put to the vote. As required by law this was taken as a recorded vote.  The amendment failed.

For: 16

Councillors F Adlington-Stringer, N Baker, S Clough, A Dale, M Foster, D Hancock, P Jones, W Jones, H Liggett, M Roe, R Shipman, R Spooner, J Stokes, M Thacker MBE, R Welton, H Wetherall

Against: 24

Councillors N Barker, J Barry, G Baxter, R Beech, J Birkin, D Cheetham, A Cooper, S Cornwell, S Fawcett, C Fletcher, C Gare, K Gillott, L Hartshorne, D Higgon, P Kerry, C Lacey, T Lacey, F Petersen, S Pickering, K Rouse, D Skinner, Caroline Smith, M Smith, L Stone

The original Motion was put to the vote. As required by law this was taken as a recorded vote. The Motion was approved.

For: 23

Councillors N Barker, J Barry, G Baxter, R Beech, J Birkin, D Cheetham, A Cooper, S Cornwell, S Fawcett, C Fletcher, C Gare, K Gillott, L Hartshorne, D Higgon, P Kerry, C Lacey, F Petersen, S Pickering, K Rouse, D Skinner, Caroline Smith, M Smith, L Stone

Against: 17

Councillors F Adlington-Stringer, N Baker, S Clough, A Dale, L Deighton, M Foster, D Hancock, P Jones, W Jones, H Liggett, M Roe, R Shipman, R Spooner, J Stokes, M Thacker MBE, R Welton, H Wetherall

RESOLVED – That:

(1)  that the view of the Director of Finance and Resources; that the estimates included in the Medium-Term Financial Plan 2025/26 to 2029/30 are robust and that the level of financial reserves are adequate at this time; be accepted.

(2)  that officers report back to Cabinet and the Services Scrutiny Committee on a quarterly basis regarding the overall position in respect of the Council’s budgets.

General Fund

(3)  a Council Tax increase of £6.48 will be levied in respect of a notional Band D property (2.99%)

(4)  the Medium-Term Financial Plan in respect of the General Fund as set out in the report to Cabinet (Appendix 1) be approved as the Current Budget 2025/26, and the Original Budget 2026/27, and as the financial projections in respect of 2027/28 to 2029/30.

(5)  that the General Fund Capital Programme be approved as the Current Budget in respect of 2025/26, and as the Approved Programme for 2026/27 to 2029/30.

(6)  That budget under spends be transferred to the Resilience Reserve to provide increased financial resilience for future years of the plan.

Councillor P Kerry moved a Motion that Council approve recommendations 7 to 11 in the report.  Councillor N Barker spoke and seconded the Motion.

The Motion was put to the vote. As required by law this was taken as a recorded vote. The Motion was approved.

For: 32

Councillors F Adlington-Stringer, N Baker, N Barker, J Barry, G Baxter, R Beech, D Cheetham, S Clough, A Cooper, A Dale, S Fawcett, C Fletcher, M Foster, C Gare, K Gillott, L Hartshorne, D Higgon, P Jones, W Jones, P Kerry, C Lacey, H Liggett, F Petersen, S Pickering, K Rouse, R Shipman, D Skinner, Caroline Smith, M Smith, R Spooner, L Stone, H Wetherall

Against: 2

Councillors D Hancock, M Roe

RESOLVED – That:

(1)  the Council sets its rent levels for 2026/27 be increasing rents by 4.8% from 1^st April 2026.

(2)  the Medium Term Financial Plan in respect of the Housing Revenue Account as set out in the report to Cabinet (Appendix 1) be approved as the Current Budget in respect of 2025/26, as the Original Budget in respect of 2026/27, and the financial projection in respect of 2027/28 to 2029/30.

(3)  that the HRA Capital Programme be approved as the Current Budget in respect of 2025/26, and as the Approved Programme for 2026/27 to 2029/30.

(4)  that the Management Free for undertaking housing services at £13.962m and the Management Free for undertaking capital works at £1.1m to Rykneld Homes in respect of 2026/27 be approved.

(5)  that Members note the requirement to provide Rykneld Homes with a ‘letter of comfort’ to the company’s auditors and grant delegated authority to the Council’s Director of Finance and Resources in consultation with the Leader of the Council to agree the contents of that letter.

The report to Council sought approval of a revised policy, which proposed an increase to the Council Tax premium charge for empty homes.

The report explained that Council had been given powers to charge empty homes premiums, and there was an expectation from Government to charge the maximum allowed under the regulations.  It was therefore proposed that, as set out in the revised Policy which was attached to the report at Appendix 1, to set the following charges from April 2026:

·         Homes empty from 2 – 5 years – 100% premium (200%)

·         Homes empty from 5 – 10 years – 200% premium (300%)

·         Homes empty from 10 years and over – 300% premium (400%).

Councillor J Birkin, Portfolio Holder for Council Services, introduced the report and moved the recommendation, which was seconded by Councillor N Barker.

Councillor D Hancock spoke in support of the item although raised concerns regarding the Equality Impact Assessment.  Councillor A Dale also spoken in support of the item.  Councillor R Welton stated that he would vote against the proposal.

RESOLVED – that Council approve the revised Council Tax Empty Homes Premium Policy encompassing the implementation of an increased empty homes premium to commence on 1 April 2026.