DCC Community News 20th October 2025

Broadband boost
We're pumping £900,000 into a project to improve digital connectivity in communities where broadband speeds are lowest – particularly in rural areas.

Around 32,000 homes and businesses across the county still receive less than 100mbps in areas with no prospect of commercial providers rolling out full fibre within the next three years.

Of these, around 3,000 premises are still receiving very slow speeds of less than 10mbps making everyday activities such as streaming digital TV channels and online banking virtually impossible.

At a meeting on Thursday 16 October Cabinet Members gave the go-ahead to use funding from our Digital Derbyshire reserves to set up two grant programmes to boost broadband speeds in premises with some of the poorest performing internet connections.

More information about the grant schemes will be made available on the Digital Derbyshire website when it becomes available.

Travel discount scheme extended
Do you use Derbyshire Community Bank? If you do, you could get cheap bus travel with a discount scheme we run.

The discount scheme is already on offer to businesses in the county for their staff, but now it is being extended to members of Derbyshire Community Bank for buses run by Arriva and Trent Barton.

The scheme offers reductions of up to 20% on bus season tickets.

Let's Talk about Menopause
Let's Talk about Menopause and how it can impact you, the people you love and, if you're a business, your employees.

Our Healthy Workplaces Team is offering a free online session delivered by specialist menopause training provider Henpicked.

Wednesday 29 October. 10.30am – 12pm.

The session will cover topics such as:

👉Understanding why we need to talk about menopause

👉Exploring different approaches to managing menopause

👉Where to get advice, and understanding how to get the support you need.

Speak up to stop rural crime
Derbyshire is seeing a rise in livestock thefts – including sheep, cattle, pigs and goats.

Our trading standards team is urging anyone who has information, or spots anything suspicious, to call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

We know that rural communities are often aware of who is behind local criminal activity, but are reluctant to give information, fearing possible reprisals. Crimestoppers allows you to give information and remain 100% anonymous – guaranteed.

Regeneration projects for county
For the first time ever, the region has access to a significant amount of funding through the East Midlands County Combined Authority (EMCCA) for regeneration projects to benefit the local economy and communities.

Our Cabinet Members approved an updated pipeline of regeneration projects at a meeting on Thursday 16 October. They include Shirebrook access and connectivity, the Chesterfield to Staveley regeneration route and access to Willington.

There is also work on the A61 corridor allowing further development at the Avenue in Wingerworth, and a number of 'active travel' projects to encourage walking and cycling.

We have also identified a number of potential projects aimed at addressing some of the key economic challenges around labour market shortages, skills shortages and the need to expand into new and different sectors to benefit the local economy.

Elm Foundation's Forest of Hope
Young people from our Unstoppable Derbyshire project are helping mark 40 years of the Elm Foundation.

The foundation provides domestic abuse support services to victims and survivors across Derbyshire.

To celebrate 40 years of their vital work, they are working with service users, schools, and community groups on a "40 Leaves" campaign. It pays tribute to the courage and resilience of those supported over the years.

The campaign will end with the creation of a Forest of Hope – a display of 40 trees, each decorated with 40 handmade leaves.

In partnership with our Unstoppable Derbyshire project and CK-Rail, the trees will be displayed in Chesterfield for the community to experience and reflect upon.

The Elm Foundation would love to receive more handmade leaves to grow their Forest of Hope. To take part email events@theelmfoundation.org.uk