Social Value Ideas for Derbyshire Dales District Council

Budget gap widened after settlement

The medium-term financial strategy showed a sharp reduction in core spending power and large future budget gaps once transitional protections end. Officers said the council would need further savings …

“the final local government finance settlement for 2627 that was a very significant one u because it reflected um the outcome of the fair funding revie…”

Council tax rises 2.99%

Members approved a 2.99% increase in the district council element of council tax for 2026/27. Officers said the rise was needed to keep services running, avoid cuts, and preserve government transition…

“the proposed increase um for the Dobby Dales District Council council tax um which is 2.99% um which is an increase of £730 a year um on the Bandandy …”

Treasury strategy retained

The council approved its treasury management strategy, retaining the principle of security ahead of liquidity ahead of yield. Officers said the strategy was similar to last year and would continue to …

“the council uses um an approach of security ahead of liquidity ahead of yield. So it will al always attempt to place investments placing security ahea…”

Revenue budget balanced with reserves

The 2026/27 revenue budget was approved using a one-off 2.99% council tax rise and a £1.2 million draw from reserves, alongside a government adjustment grant. Officers stressed this was not sustainabl…

“the proposed budget has actually been balanced by taking 1.2 million pounds from reserves. Um, that's not sustainable. Uh we couldn't do that every ye…”

External audit signed off

External auditors reported that the 2024-25 financial statements audit is complete, with an unqualified opinion issued on 30 January and no deadline risk. They noted one unadjusted misstatement of £35…

“So you will remember that at the last month's edition of this committee, we brought our audit completion report which gave our conclusions on the main…”

30 conditions and S106 package

The case officer said the recommendation was to grant subject to 30 conditions and a section 106 agreement, including biodiversity net gain, nightjar management, travel plan, trail implementation and …

“So in the report, I outline a number of section 106 terms that are needed um to have an illegal agreement. the application be approved. That would be …”

Resident evidence may be underweighted

The review identified concern that evidence assembled by resident expert David Ball and the Wolds Action Group may not have been considered as closely as it deserved. This creates a governance and qua…

“Um I have been very clear the council couldn't have taken the decision in an open public forum. Um I have mentioned the lack of confidentiality which …”

Planning evidence and transparency reforms

The council considered and unanimously approved the independent review’s recommendations, including an additional recommendation on proportionate record keeping. The discussion showed an intent to imp…

“So, on to item four on our agenda tonight, which is the Gridstone Rail Road Appeal Independent Review. That's the the bulk of the paperwork you have i…”

Chapel application treated as F2 community use

Officers confirmed the Middleton Congregational Chapel proposal was being assessed as a change from church use to an F2 community hall use, with a condition limiting it to F2 use only. They said the c…

“Thank you chair. Um so this application is for a change of use from a church to a community hall with associated works. Here's the site here. Um as yo…”

Ashbourne Airfield phase 1B approved

The committee approved reserved matters for 70 dwellings at Ashbourne Airfield phase 1B, continuing the earlier phase 1A development. The scheme includes active travel links, public open space access,…

“The site is allocated for strategic housing in the adopted local plan for a total of 367 dwellings. This application seeks reserve matters consent for…”

Affordable housing repeatedly missed

Across the housing applications, members expressed frustration that schemes were falling just below the threshold for on-site affordable housing, including the nine-dwelling Cubley proposal. They said…

“You maintain that it's not possible to have affordable housing yet uh the quite expensive houses what they ones”

Cubley farm buildings to homes approved

The committee approved demolition of six redundant poultry sheds at Stoneley Farm and erection of nine dwellings, relying partly on a fallback permitted-development position for conversion of the exis…

“This is an application for the demolition of the existing agricultural buildings and erection of nine dwelling houses in their place. So this is this …”