Leaders from Chesterfield Borough Council, seven other district and borough councils, and Derby City Council have officially submitted their proposals for the future of local government in Derbyshire.

The plan, called ‘One Derbyshire, Two Councils’, aims to reduce the number of local authorities in the county from ten to two. One council would cover the north of Derbyshire, and one would cover the south.

The submission sets out how two unitary councils could deliver services more effectively while staying connected to local communities. Leaders say the new councils would:

• Provide value-for-money services, especially for adult care, children’s services, SEND, and homelessness.

• Protect Derbyshire’s historic boundaries, culture, and environment.

• Meet Government criteria for unitary councils, each serving around 500,000 people.

• Support the Mayor of the East Midlands and the East Midlands Combined County Authority in growing the regional economy.

The plan includes four proposals, differing mainly on where the boundary between the north and south councils would be drawn.

• Proposal A (supported by Amber Valley Borough Council) places Amber Valley in the northern council with Chesterfield, High Peak, Derbyshire Dales, North East Derbyshire, and Bolsover. Derby City, South Derbyshire, and Erewash would form the southern council.

• Proposal B (supported by South Derbyshire District Council) swaps Amber Valley into the southern council.

• Proposals A1 and B1 refine these options further using parish boundaries within Amber Valley to decide which areas would join which council.

In a joint statement, council leaders said:
“The needs of our communities – now and in the future – are at the heart of our approach. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to modernise council services while protecting Derbyshire’s heritage and environment.”

The statement highlighted ambitions to deliver more efficient services, attract investment in housing, transport, and infrastructure, and create jobs for local residents.

Derbyshire County Council has separately proposed a single unitary council for the whole county, serving 1.1 million people – similar in size to Birmingham City Council. Leaders of the other councils, however, say two councils would better serve local communities.

The proposals are based on extensive research and a public consultation, which received input from more than 7,300 residents, businesses, and organisations. Financial analysis forecasts £167 million in savings over six years, with annual savings of £44 million from year six onwards. Initial setup costs for the new councils would be recovered in around three-and-a-half years.

The Government will review all proposals and carry out further consultation in 2026. If approved, elections for the new councils’ shadow authorities would take place in 2027, with full operation beginning in April 2028.

This is a pivotal moment in shaping the future of Derbyshire’s local government, aiming to deliver stronger services and better outcomes for residents across the county.

The Mayor of the East Midlands has launched what is being described as the region’s biggest listening exercise in decades – a 12-week public conversation aimed at shaping a new 15-year transport vision for Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.

A high-level Local Transport Vision document has been published, setting out the Mayor’s ambition to make travelling across the region easier, cleaner and better connected. The plan is intended to support inclusive growth by improving access to jobs, skills, education and essential services.

Residents, businesses and community groups are now being invited to take part in the Mayor’s Big Transport Conversation, which will help inform the development of the full transport plan.

Mayor Claire Ward said:
“For too many people in the East Midlands, life doesn’t work because transport doesn’t work. When buses don’t turn up, roads are full of potholes or trains are too expensive, it affects work, education, healthcare and family life.

“I want public transport to be an easy and affordable choice for everyone. I want communities connected to one another, not just to large cities. And I want our roads and infrastructure to be maintained to a high standard.

“That is how we will make life work for everyone – connecting communities, supporting business, reducing inequality and helping the region grow fairly.”

Six fights for a fairer, better-connected East Midlands

The Mayor’s emerging plan is built around six key priorities – described as “fights” – that reflect what matters most to residents, businesses and the wider region. People are now being invited to share their views on what a modern, fair and affordable transport network should look like in the years ahead.

• Fighting congestion

Congestion impacts productivity, wellbeing and the environment. The Mayor wants to hear how important it is to tackle traffic and what local solutions could work best.

• Fighting for young people’s independence

A fair transport system should provide young people with safe, affordable and independent travel, helping them reach education, training and social opportunities.

• Fighting for connected communities

Schools, hospitals, major employers and town centres should be accessible without relying on infrequent or unreliable links. The Mayor wants to understand the improvements needed.

• Fighting for reliable public transport

From overcrowded buses to patchy timetables, reliability remains a key challenge. The plan aims to identify and fix gaps in provision so every community has accessible, dependable travel options.

• Fighting for better roads

Road quality matters to drivers, cyclists and businesses alike. The Mayor is asking how much of the transport budget should go toward road maintenance compared with other priorities.

• Fighting for safe and clean bus stops

Poorly lit, unmaintained or inaccessible bus stops are a major barrier to public transport use. The Mayor wants to know what residents need to make bus stops welcoming and reliable.

A transport plan focused on people

The Local Transport Plan sets out three long-term goals:

• Making public transport easier to use and better value for money

• Providing more travel choices that reduce car dependency and connect every community

• Upgrading and maintaining highways to ensure they are safe, reliable and resilient

For the first time, the Mayor has powers to plan transport as a single, joined-up network, bringing buses, trams, trains, walking and cycling routes together across the region.

Billions of pounds of investment are expected to follow over the coming years, supporting a transport system designed to boost fairness, economic growth and sustainability.

The Mayor’s Big Transport Conversation runs from 17 November 2025 to 8 February 2026.
Residents can take part and share their views via the consultation webpage.

Work has officially started on a development that will bring 18 brand-new, energy-efficient homes to Mastin Moor in Chesterfield – a major step forward in Chesterfield Borough Council’s commitment to providing more affordable housing for local families.

The scheme is among the first in the region to tap into the East Midlands Combined County Authority’s (EMCCA) Brownfield Housing Fund. This fund unlocks stalled developments and turns under-used land into vibrant communities. Backed by the UK Government and delivered with Homes England, it’s driving regeneration across the East Midlands.

Where are the homes being built?

• 13 council homes on Miller Avenue
• 5 homes on Edale Road

Each property will feature:

• Solar panels and air source heat pumps to cut energy bills and reduce carbon emissions
• Private gardens and off-road parking for residents
• Electric vehicle charging points
• Bat and bird boxes to support local wildlife

The homes are also located on bus routes, making it easy for families to access local amenities.

Councillor Jean Innes, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for housing, said: “As a council, we remain committed to increasing the supply of affordable housing for local people and this latest project is helping us to achieve this.

“We are really pleased that EMCCA has allocated part of its Brownfield Housing Fund to help deliver this project that will provide much needed homes for local families. We look forward to working with EMCCA and Henry Boot Construction and watching the project progress.

“With the cost of living continuing to rise, we know how important it is to our tenants to keep homes warm but energy costs down, so we’re really pleased to be delivering new properties with the top energy efficiency rating.”

To mark the start of the project, Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward, joined the Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, Councillor Tricia Gilby, and the council’s cabinet member for housing, Councillor Jean Innes for a site visit hosted by Henry Boot Construction.

Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward, said: “This project is a powerful example of how we’re turning our vision for inclusive growth into reality. Through the Brownfield Housing Fund, we’re creating high-quality, affordable homes that meet the needs of local families while supporting greener, more sustainable communities. By investing in places like Mastin Moor, we’re making the East Midlands a region that everyone is proud to call home.”

EMCCA has secured a devolved allocation of Brownfield Housing Fund investment from the UK Government to support the delivery of housing on brownfield sites in the East Midlands. The funding commitment will deliver more than 2,000 high-quality homes, supporting Mayor Claire Ward’s ambition to build 100,000 new homes in the region by 2035.

Mat Clarke, Head of Construction at Henry Boot Construction, said: “We’re proud to be supporting Chesterfield Borough Council in its mission to deliver affordable, energy-efficient homes for families across the borough.

“It’s great for us to be back in Chesterfield after recently working with the council on its largest housing development in decades at Badger Croft, and we’re delighted to continue playing our part in increasing the local housing supply.”

More people in Derbyshire can now save money on bus travel, thanks to an expanded discount scheme from Derbyshire County Council.

Previously available to companies to support employees, the scheme now includes anyone who joins Derbyshire Community Bank – a local credit union open to people who live, work, or study in Derbyshire and are aged 18 or over.

By becoming a member (which is free and easy to do), residents can access up to 20% off bus season tickets with Arriva and trentbarton, and spread the cost through monthly direct debit payments.

Derbyshire Community Bank is a not-for-profit financial cooperative that offers fair and affordable financial services, including savings accounts and loans. It’s designed to support local people, especially those who may not have access to mainstream banking.

Councillor Charlotte Hill, Cabinet Member for Potholes, Highways and Transport, said:

“I’m pleased that we are able to extend this discount scheme to members of Derbyshire Community Bank.

“Providing cheaper fares for people to get to work or college by using this discount scheme is important in these challenging financial times, and we will do all we can to help people save money.”

Phil Cole from Derbyshire Community Bank added:

“For many of our members, buses are a vital lifeline – helping them stay connected to work, education and family.

“Being able to spread the cost of a season ticket will make a real difference, helping households manage their budgets and ease financial pressure.

“At Derbyshire Community Bank, we’re rooted in the local community and committed to improving people’s lives. This partnership with Travel Derbyshire, Arriva, and trentbarton shows what’s possible when we work together – delivering practical support that truly benefits those who need it most.”

The scheme is part of Derbyshire’s Bus Service Improvement Plan, funded by the UK government, which aims to make public transport more accessible and affordable.

To find out more, join the bank, or apply for discounted travel, visit the Employee Discount Travel Scheme page.