In a report detailing our budget position for the first three months of this financial year, to be considered by Cabinet on Thursday 11 September, we are forecasting a net overspend of £1.3m over the course of the current financial year (2025-2026). The report is item 5 on the agenda.

Compared to a forecast overspend at the same point two years ago of £46.4m, and the position at the same point last year of a forecast overspend of just over £20m, the much-reduced forecast overspend figure for 2025-26 reveals the results of wide-scale efficiencies and a programme of savings put in place across all areas of spending to reduce costs.

The report goes into more detail about the budget position and further savings that are being made.

As well as the budget position, next week’s report sets out how the council is performing against its Council Plan 2025-29 outcomes, with changes to some of the actions being proposed to better reflect the new administration’s priorities.

Ribin Alani, 38, of Fulmar Lane, Wellingborough, has been sentenced to 16 months in prison suspended for two years and ordered to carry out 180 hours of unpaid work after admitting possessing illegal cigarettes and tobacco with a retail value of over £270,000 at a self-storage facility in South Derbyshire.

He appeared before Derby Crown Court on Tuesday 2 September, to admit to eight charges of the possession for supply of counterfeit cigarettes and hand rolling tobacco, contrary to the Trade Marks Act 1994, and three charges of possession for supply of cigarettes whose external packaging did not carry the required combined health warning contrary to the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016.

The court heard that, following information received in June 2024, officers from our trading standards service visited premises in South Derbyshire and seized 363,720 cigarettes and 20kg of tobacco from a container on the site. Subsequent enquiries revealed that the tenant of the unit was Alani.

You're invited to find out more about how the latest smart home technology can help you, or a loved one, remain safe while giving peace of mind to them, their family, friends and carers.

It's also open to health and social care professionals.

Technology Enabled Care (TEC) Week kicks off on Monday 22 September with a free event being held at County Hall in Matlock between 10am and 4pm.

Drop in to the event to find out about the wide variety of equipment and options available to support people to live the life they want. There will also be the opportunity to meet organisations that run services on our behalf.

Staff and representatives from Mediquip Connect will also be at events around the county during the week including Buxton, Chesterfield and Swadlincote and a range of free webinars are also being held throughout the week.

Some 30% of people over 65 and 50% of people aged over 80 fall at least once a year and this can cause serious injuries and hospital admissions.

But falls are not an inevitable part of getting older and there's lots we can do to prevent them.

Live Stronger for Longer exercise sessions are run by Age UK Derby and Derbyshire and help improve balance and strength.

You can find your local session online.

Chesterfield FC Community Trust is holding a world record attempt on Thursday 25 September for the largest ever chair-based exercise class. You can join in by booking a ticket from the website.

You may be interested in entering the East Staffordshire and South Derbyshire Business Awards before entries close at 5pm on Friday 19 September.

There are 11 award categories including business of the year, manufacturer of the year and a leisure, hospitality and retail award. Plus, several employee categories including the ‘rising star’ award.

The awards are free to enter and quick to apply for. It's a great way to raise the profile of your business.

We support schemes like this through the Derbyshire Business Start-Up Support Scheme.