Councillor Kathy Kozlowski, Cabinet Member for Finance and Governance, celebrates ending the year in a more stable position than at the start:
For me, the past year has been focused on making sure that the Council continues to move towards a place of stability, building on the gains we’ve made since taking over the Council and delivering on our promise to lead in a responsible way.
We started the year in a very challenging position, proposing a balanced budget but feeling significant pressures and proposing cuts and savings that no one wanted to make. Fast forward 12 month and we’re in a much better place, our overspend has been reduced to just over £0.5 million and work is ongoing to reduce this further by the end of the financial year. We’ve proposed another balanced budget, one that I’m really proud of, and we’re suggesting investments of almost £60 million over the next three years.
The Government’s Fair Funding Reforms that were confirmed just last week represent a significant and long-overdue shift in the way local government is funded. This settlement provides the financial clarity we have long called for and moves us beyond the era of managing decline, allowing us to start a new chapter of growth. As well as the almost £60 million proposed, we’re also planning to invest £287 million into capital projects.
After years of making incredibly difficult decisions and more than £112.5 million of savings since 2016, it is fantastic to finally be able to talk about where we can invest, rather than what we must cut.
It’s now essential that anyone who lives, works or studies in Derby shares their thoughts and participates in the online consultation, which is open until Friday 16 January 2026.
Our continued commitment to responsible leadership also means making sure that we’re utilising our spaces as best as we can. Our Asset Rationalisation Board does just this, ensuring that we’re making best use of our assets, such as Riverside Chambers and the Council House, and selling properties which we no longer have a need for. Desk occupancy in the Council’s HQ has increased over the course of this year, bringing together public sector partners from across the county and supporting us to work together as well as generating income for us.
Looking ahead to 2026, I’m looking forward to seeing the work that we’ve done this year start to make tangible and visible differences in the lives of our residents.