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This year's Summer Reading Challenge will be music to children's ears! It explores the connection between stories and songs, discovering how reading and music both ignite imagination and creativity.
 If you have a child at primary school in your family, why not take them along to your local library to sign up or – if that's not easy for you – you can sign them up online.
All of our libraries will be taking part in the annual Summer Reading Challenge which starts tomorrow (Saturday 4 July). This year’s theme is Read to the Beat.
The challenge is free to join and is designed to ensure that primary school children’s reading skills are kept sharp over the summer, as well as providing much-needed entertainment.
The challenge is to read six or more library books over the summer. Youngsters will collect up to six stickers and once they have collected them all they will have completed the challenge and receive a medal and certificate.
We flew the flag on Armed Forces Day, Saturday 27June, to show our support for the men and women who make up the Armed Forces community.
Our Armed Forces champion Councillor Tony Wilson said: “We are very proud to fly the Armed Forces Day flag.
“As a council we stand in support of our Armed Forces and recognise the contribution of our services personnel across the globe who serve their country every day.
“We also remember the sacrifices made by our veterans, and we honour all those who have paid the ultimate price in defending our nation.
“We are a signatory to the Armed Forces Covenant and fully support council employees who are members of the reserve Armed Forces, giving up their spare time to give something back.’’
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Careful spending controls and close monitoring of budgets has resulted in us being £2m better off at the end of the financial year than previously forecast.
A report discussed by our Cabinet this week (Thurs 2 July) shows a £2.009m net underspend for 2025-26, which is an improvement on the forecast position earlier in the year of a £0.5m overspend.
The reasons for the positive position are due to a combination of factors set out in the report here at item 5, including all departments ensuring tight controls on spending to stay within their budgets where possible and close monitoring of every pound spent.
Although it is good news that we have overall underspent, there are many variances across the council, including significant overspends in certain services due to rising demand and cost pressures, mainly across Children’s Services and Adult Social Care and Health.
If you, or someone you know, is 16 years old and wants to get a first experience behind the wheel before taking driving lessons, try one of our First Gear pre-driver sessions.
The First Gear pre-driver training day gives young people their first experience behind the wheel of a car, in a safe, controlled environment with fully qualified driving instructors.
They're open to young people aged 16, either living in or in education in Derbyshire.
They offer valuable information to help participants prepare for their theory, hazard perception and practical driving tests as well as getting participants to consider how they'll continue driving safely once they've passed their test.
The practical driving sessions are tailored to each young person. The instructors recognise that some young people may have driven off-road before and some young people may have never driven before.
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Have you taken our residents’ survey `Your Council Your Voice’ yet?
We want to hear from you no matter what your age, but we’re really keen to hear from younger residents this year.
All your views will help us to shape the future direction of the council. It’s your council so make sure you have your say. You have until Sunday 19 July.
Watch Councillor Stephen Reed (right) explain why it’s so important you tell us what you think.
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Visit Peak District, Derbyshire and Derby has launched the latest edition of its popular 'Summer’s a Big Deal' campaign, encouraging visitors and residents to make the most of summer across the Peak District and Derbyshire.
Running throughout the summer season, the campaign shines a spotlight on the county's incredible mix of attractions, events, food and drink experiences, and accommodation offers, reinforcing the area’s reputation as one of the UK's most rewarding and affordable destinations for short breaks and days out.
From iconic heritage attractions and family adventures to scenic walks, vibrant festivals and cultural experiences, the campaign highlights the breadth of experiences available across the county, helping people who live in the county, as well as visitors, discover more while making their budgets go further.
Whether exploring dramatic landscapes, uncovering fascinating history, enjoying local food and drink, or experiencing world-class events, visitors can enjoy exceptional value alongside unforgettable experiences.
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Are you a parent or carer who's experienced family support services?
This could include support from services such as children's centres, family hubs, health visitors, family help, social workers, or other professionals who have supported you and your family.
If so, you're invited to join one of our friendly and informal engagement sessions this July and help shape the future of family support across Derbyshire.
This is your chance to share your experiences, insights and ideas about what family support looks like today – and what could make it even better. Whether your experience has been positive, challenging or somewhere in between, your views are important and can make a real difference.
Sessions are open to parents, carers and anyone with lived experience of family support services. Your feedback will help shape how support for children, young people and families is developed and delivered in Derbyshire.
Check dates and locations on the 'find out more' link below and choose one that works for you.
It’s Staveley Library’s last day of opening tomorrow before it closes in preparation for its move to the Pavilion.
Staveley Library in Hall Lane will close to its last visitors in its current home at 12.30pm on Saturday 4 July so that work can begin on packing away all the books, computers and other materials and equipment ahead of its move to the new landmark Pavilion building in the town’s Market Place.
The new library will open to the public on Monday 20 July 2026, with an official opening ceremony taking place on the morning of Thursday 23 July 2026.
Borrowed items will automatically be renewed until the new library reopens.
The Leader of Derbyshire County Council has set out his and the authority’s strong opposition to district council proposals for a permanent travellers’ site on a piece of land in Ashbourne.
County council Leader Councillor Alan Graves spoke out in support of a letter sent by county council Cabinet Member for Environment Councillor Carol Wood to the Chief Executive of Derbyshire Dales District Council Paul Wilson which outlines the reasons why a site on Watery Lane, Ashbourne, which is owned by the county council, is not suitable for a permanent travellers’ site.
Councillor Wood was responding to a letter from Mr Wilson to county council leaders which set out the district council’s proposals for the permanent site, and also stated that if the county council was not in agreement with the plans the district council could decide to pursue compulsory purchase powers to acquire the land.
Councillor Graves backed Councillor Wood’s letter and said the county council had made it very clear that it does not support the approach being taken by the district council, and there are concerns about the potential impact on local communities, as well as the correct processes being followed.
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