Overview
- Published budget papers set a 4.99% increase for 2026/27 and assume further maximum rises through 2030.
- The £838 million plan identifies a shortfall of about £37–38 million, with £22.4 million of savings proposed for next year.
- Budget pressures are concentrated in social care, including roughly £26 million in children’s services and nearly £5 million in adult care.
- The council forecasts about £30 million from the tax rise and around £10 million from new government grants, while warning that continuing to use reserves is not sustainable.
- Opposition councillors accuse Reform UK of reversing tax-cut pledges as similar 5% rises are pursued at other Reform-led councils, with Derbyshire’s plan scheduled for a vote in late February or early March.