Derbyshire County Council

Derbyshire County Council is the upper-tier local authority for the non-metropolitan county of Derbyshire, England. It has 64 councillors representing 61 divisions, with three divisions having two members each. They are Glossop and Charlesworth, Alfreton and Somercotes, and Eckington and Killamarsh.[1] The authority is controlled by the Conservative Party, who won control in the May 2017 local council election.

Derbyshire County Council
Type
Type
Non-metropolitan county council
Leadership
Chairman
Cllr Trevor Ainsworth,
Conservative
since 22 May 2019
Civic Chairman
Cllr Robert Parkinson,
Conservative
since 22 May 2019
Vice Civic Chairman
Cllr Judith Twigg,
Conservative
since 22 May 2019
Leader of the Council
Cllr Barry Lewis,
Conservative
Leader of the Labour Group
Cllr Paul Smith,
Labour
Structure
Seats64 councillors
Political groups
Administration
     Conservative (37)
Other parties
     Labour Party (24)
     Liberal Democrat (3)
Length of term
4 years
Elections
First-past-the-post
Last election
4 May 2017
Next election
May 2021
Meeting place
County Hall
Matlock
Derbyshire
Website
www.derbyshire.gov.uk

The Leader of the Council is Cllr Barry Lewis. He heads a cabinet consisting of six other members – those being Cllr Simon Spencer, Cllr Carol Hart, Cllr Jean Wharmby, Cllr Tony King, Cllr Angelique Foster and Cllr Alex Dale.[2] The seven cabinet members each have responsibility for particular functions of the council and are assisted by Cabinet Support Members.

History

The council was first set up in 1889 under the Local Government Act 1888,[3] covering the administrative county. It was reconstituted under the Local Government Act 1972 to cover a different territory. In 1997, the City of Derby left the area covered by the council becoming a unitary authority, but the city remains part of Derbyshire for ceremonial purposes only. The council originally met at County Hall, Derby, a facility which was built in 1660.[4] In 1955 the council moved to the current county hall in Matlock. This newer county hall is in a former hydrotherapy complex called Smedley's Hydro which was built in 1867.[5]

District and Borough Councils

There are eight lower tier district/borough councils within the Derbyshire Council area:[6]

  • Amber Valley Borough Council
  • Erewash Borough Council
  • Bolsover District Council
  • Chesterfield Borough Council
  • North East Derbyshire District Council
  • High Peak Borough Council
  • Derbyshire Dales District Council
  • South Derbyshire District Council

Political makeup

Elections are held every four years, the next one is due in 2021.

ElectionNumber of councillors elected by each political party
Conservative Labour Liberal Democrats Independent
2017 37 24 3 0
2013 18 43 3 0
2009 33 22 8 1
2005 14 38 10 0

Cabinet/Lead Members
PORTFOLIOS (as at May 2017)[2]
Strategic Leadership, Culture and Tourism
Cabinet Member and Council Leader Cllr Barry Lewis
Cabinet Support Member Cllr Robert Flatley
Highways, Transport and Infrastructure
Cabinet Member and Deputy Leader Cllr Simon Spencer
Cabinet Support Members Cllr Trevor Ainsworth and Cllr Garry Hickton
Health and Communities
Cabinet Member Cllr Carol Hart
Cabinet Support Member Cllr Stuart Swann
Adult Care
Cabinet Member Cllr Jean Wharmby
Cabinet Support Member Cllr Wayne Major
Economic Development and Regeneration
Cabinet Member Cllr Tony King
Corporate Services
Cabinet Member Cllr Angelique Foster
Cabinet Support Member Cllr Pat Murray
Young People
Cabinet Member Cllr Alex Dale
Cabinet Support Member Cllr Julie Patten
Leader of the Opposition
Cllr Anne Western CBE

Political control
ElectionParty in control
2017 Conservative
2013 Labour
2009 Conservative
2005 Labour
2001 Labour
1997 Labour
1993 Labour
1989 Labour
1985 Labour
1981 Labour
1977 Conservative
1973 Labour

Notable former members
  • Dennis Skinner (1964-1970), later member of parliament for Bolsover
  • David Bookbinder (Leader: 1981-1992), controversial leader of County Council
  • Sir Martin Doughty (Leader: 1992-2001)
  • Andrew Lewer MBE (2005-2014 Leader 2009-2013), later member of European Parliament for East Midlands
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References
  1. "Your council – Derbyshire County Council". Retrieved 15 October 2011.
  2. "New Cabinet announced". Derbyshire County Council. 9 May 2017. Retrieved 9 May 2017.
  3. "The History". Derbyshire County Council. Retrieved 18 November 2011.
  4. "Short History of Derby UK". Archived from the original on 27 September 2011. Retrieved 18 November 2011.
  5. Roy Christian (15 August 1963). "Matlock and Matlock Bath: The Varied Fortunes of a Derbyshire Spa". Country Life. pp. 356–358. Archived from the original on 28 September 2011. Retrieved 18 November 2011.
  6. "District and borough councils". Derbyshire County Council. Retrieved 18 November 2011.
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