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1 week 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.
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1 month 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.
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1 month 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%.
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2 months ago | 
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.
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2 months ago | 
derbynews.org.uk | Russell Pollard
The Labour Government intends to reorganise Local Government; this will directly affect Derby City Council. This change is being progressed quickly with challenging timescales. The Government published its “White Paper” in December 2024.
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Mar 2, 2025 | 
derbynews.org.uk | Russell Pollard
The bad-tempered 5.5 hr Council meeting on Wednesday 26th February 2025 achieved very little for the CityQuestionable claims and confusing counter accusations were obscured by venomous politicking. Has the Council been boosted by £22.6m of new money from the Government, would the Labour Party’s original budget be the only way forwards, did the opposition achieve anything for the tax payer, and is the Council on the brink of collapse? What are the facts?
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Feb 9, 2025 | 
derbynews.org.uk | Russell Pollard
This financial year, Derby City Council will have to write off £1.45m due to the closure of the Assembly Rooms car park. When the property was still operating and generating a surplus for the Council it had value which is recognised as an asset in the authority’s balance sheet. Now that it is closed, and generating no revenue, and set for demolition, its book value is significantly reduced.
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Jan 21, 2025 | 
derbynews.org.uk | Russell Pollard
Many from the local community came out last night onto Normanton Road as a show of solidarity against the threatened presence of the “far right”. The atmosphere, whilst initially expectant, dissipated quickly as it was evident that no one would turn up to advocate their anti-immigration views. It was a peaceful and convivial evening. There were a few lads acting furtively within the crowd but the Police had spotted them – they disappeared quickly.
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Dec 7, 2024 | 
derbynews.org.uk | Russell Pollard
Sporting Communities has been appointed by Derby City Council to run ten Community Libraries. This follows the collapse of the previous arrangement with Direct Help and Advice. Sporting Communities has developed a reputation in the last 10 years of competent community development, tackling youth crime in the most deprived areas and improving social inclusion. Their approach is centred on listening to the needs of individuals, and the community, and building a provision to meet that demand.
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Nov 30, 2024 | 
derbynews.org.uk | Russell Pollard
On 30th September 2024 the Assembly Rooms car park closed in readiness for the demolition of the entire venue Assembly Rooms: Car park closes amid controversy over demolition In this previous article Derby News concluded: When viewed objectively, it is clear that: the plans, post-demolition are not comprehensive and not contracted, they are just ideas – it does not meet Condition 3 closing the car park in September 2024 is premature – there will be a loss of revenue to the Council of around...