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A couple who have dedicated 42 years of their life to looking after children are retiring as foster carers for us.
 Lilian and Stan Barnes have been reflecting on their decades-long commitment to providing stable, loving homes for Derbyshire children.
Over the years, the couple have cared for around 45 children, taking them into their home for between one and three years before they either went back to their families or were adopted.
They remember each child with huge fondness and their home is full of photographs of all the children they have cared for over the years. Many of the children they cared for still keep in touch with them today.
Read more information about becoming a foster carer
We've signed a formal agreement with the Khmelnytskyi Region in Ukraine to strengthen existing ties and to work together on projects that will help communities in both areas.
The agreement, forged after we were approached by the Ukrainian Embassy, sets out plans to share ideas and learn from each other in areas such as education, culture, local services and economic development.
Benefits include looking at ways to boost trade and investment and sharing good practice in local government and community support, while showing support for Ukraine in line with national government policy.
📸Councillor Alan Graves signing a Memorandum of Understanding with Serhii Tyurin, Head of the Khmelnytskyi Regional Military Administration in Ukraine.
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Six schools from across Derbyshire enjoyed a visit to County Hall in Matlock where they met Chairman Councillor Nick Adams and took part in debates in the Council Chamber.
More than 20 children visited our headquarters and took part part in debates chaired by Councillor Adams and Vice Chair Councillor Jodie Brown including topics on building on green spaces and children under 16 having smart phones.
The children from Spire Junior School, Hollingwood Primary School, Mundy CofE Junior School, Duckmanton Primary School, Hasland Primary School and Poolsbrook Primary Academy also met councillors, representatives from local health services and police.
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We're urging parents and carers to make sure their children receive their free flu vaccination as soon as possible.
Cases of flu infection are three times higher than this time last year. Vaccinating children not only protects them, but also helps prevent the spread of the virus to more vulnerable family members and the wider community.
The flu vaccine is quick, safe and painless. It's usually given as a nasal spray.
Do you use our household waste recycling centre at Stonegravels in Chesterfield? Please remember the site will be closed temporarily from today (Monday 8 December) until Friday 12 December for maintenance work.
Work has been planned during the week to minimise disruption to residents by avoiding closure during the weekends which are the busiest periods.
The site will re-open on Saturday 13 December on completion of resurfacing work needed to keep the site safe for users.
The closest alternatives are in Bolsover and Northwood near Darley Dale. Opening hours at our Bolsover centre will be extended to 8.30am-6pm while Stonegravels is closed.
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In times of bad weather, snow, ice or floods, then the best place to find up-to-date information is on our social media pages, Facebook or X.
We post out to tell people if we have main roads closed because of any weather issue, and any impact the weather is having on our services, for example if buildings have to close.
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If you’re the working parent of a child aged from nine months to four years old you could be eligible for funded childcare.
Don’t miss out – the application deadline for the new term in January is Wednesday 31 December 2025.
Find out if you’re eligible and apply
If you already have a childcare code you must reconfirm your eligibility approximately every three months. It’s easy and only takes a few minutes – just log on and check
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We'd like to hear your comments on the planning applications which seek to transform County Hall into Smedley’s Hydro.
We submitted applications for planning consents earlier this year, and now understand that Derbyshire Dales District Council will consider the applications at a meeting in early January.
A full planning application has been submitted for the refurbishment and renovation of the Winter Gardens, demolition of one of the Smedley Street bridges, demolition of various more recent outbuildings on the site and general repairs and improvements. Listed building consent for these works is also being sought.
Alongside this outline permission, change of use of the south block of County Hall into a hotel, Smedley’s Hydro, and associated uses and consent to turn County Hall north block into flats with commercial space on the ground floor will also be sought. This will boost other local traders on Smedley Street, which is becoming a recognised destination for local businesses.
The final consent being sought as part of the integrated set of applications is outline planning permission for new homes and a new low-cost, low-energy office building for the council.
Local residents are able to submit their comments on the applications so that local councillors at the district council can take those into account.
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