Russell Pollard

1 week ago | derbynews.org.uk | Russell Pollard

Nottingham Specialist Transport (NST) was awarded a 2 year contract (£1.8m pa) in September 2023, by Derby City Council, to provide home to school transport for many of Derby’s vulnerable children. Questions were raised in a Derby News article in October 2023. Would you put your vulnerable child into an unmarked minibus? Derby City Council expects you to!Derby City Council assured parents that their selection process was “compliant”.

4 weeks ago | derbynews.org.uk | Russell Pollard

On 14th May 2025 Derby City Council announced that St James Street (Derby) Ltd would be the developer on a £10m project to “breath life” into a number of properties in the St James Street / Sadler Gate area. It was reported that St James (Derby) Ltd had been “supported” by Derby City Council (DCC) and the Future High Streets Fund. The “support” from DCC, was in the shape of a registered loan (mortgage) in order to buy the properties from Clowes Development.

2 months ago | derbynews.org.uk | Russell Pollard

6 Senior figures from two of Derby’s wealthiest charities visited India in October last year to donate £7,500 worth of wheelchairs and handbikes to local disabled people. The party was led by Amo Raju, the ex-CEO of Disability Direct and Director of a new company called  Poverty 2 Possibility CIC (P2P); its objective is to support people in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

2 months ago | derbynews.org.uk | Russell Pollard

The headline issue during Derby City Council’s annual budget setting process is the percentage increase in the Council Tax. A subject that caused much emotion this year. Of the £350m Council funding in 2025/26, the split is:£131m – Council Tax£49m – Retained Business rates The balance of £170m comes from central Government Grants. Derby City Council’s budget meeting agreed to reduce the proposed Council Tax rise for 2025/26 from 4.99% to 3.99%.

Mar 30, 2025 | derbynews.org.uk | Russell Pollard

Uncategorized Like most cities, Derby is in desperate need of school places for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Due to the lack of local capacity, many children are being placed outside of the City resulting in additional expense to the Council. The best option for most children with SEND is to be educated within a mainstream school environment.