DCC Community News 15th December 2025

Hotel sale welcomed
Council Leader Councillor Alan Graves has welcomed the repayment of a council loan after the sale of the Buxton Crescent Hotel business to luxury health spa operator Champneys in partnership with Cheyne Capital.
Buxton Hotel Champneys
Champneys will keep running the hotel, retain staff and work with local partners to boost Buxton's visitor economy.

Alan joined Champneys CEO Alan Whiteley, Cheyne Capital Director Theo Hajoglou and football legend David Seaman with his wife Frankie at Buxton Crescent Hotel to celebrate the sale.

Champneys is a long-time supporter of SoccerAid for UNICEF – a charity David has been involved with since it started in 2006.

The hotel building itself remains jointly owned by Derbyshire County Council and High Peak Borough Council.

Our new chief executive

Neil Crittenden has been officially appointed as Derbyshire County Council's new permanent Chief Executive.

Neil will officially take up his post on 19 January 2026.

Neil is currently Interim Vice President at Alton Towers Resort, part of global leisure and hospitality giant Merlin Entertainments group, with accountability for strategic direction, organisational performance and commercial growth.

With many years of executive leadership experience, Neil has a proven track record in driving organisational transformation and managing large-scale operations.

Love festive food, hate waste
December is a time for gathering, celebrating and sharing delicious food – but it can also bring extra pressure on time, budgets, and resources.

With the cost of living still squeezing household finances, families are looking for ways to make festive feasts go further without losing the magic of the season.

Every year, UK households throw away 4.4 million tonnes of edible food – worth a staggering £17 billion. For a family of four, that's an average of £1,000 wasted annually. From potatoes and poultry to carrots and sprouts, some of our most-loved festive staples are also the most wasted. The humble potato tops the list – with 41% of those bought wasted in UK homes.

All the love and effort poured into Christmas planning, prepping and cooking shouldn't go to waste. That's why the national Love Food Hate Waste team is highlighting 'Most Wasted' food items with simple, practical tips for meal planning, smart storage and delicious "Love Your Leftovers" recipes, to help households feast smart, waste less, and make the most of every festive bite.

Clay Cross library decision
The future of Clay Cross Library is still under discussion, with a final decision on its possible relocation expected early in the new year.

Our Cabinet last week reviewed progress on our five-year plan to keep libraries thriving at the heart of local communities and make them fit for the future.

Cabinet also considered whether to continue with plans to move Clay Cross Library from Kenning Park to a new extension of the Adult Education building in the town centre – a project linked to the Clay Cross Town Deal. After receiving further information, Cabinet agreed that officers and Cabinet Members will take more time to review the full implications before making a final decision.

The proposed move, approved in July 2024, has raised concerns about whether it can be delivered within the available Town Deal funding. Work will continue with North-East Derbyshire District Council and other partners to explore the best way forward and secure improvements for the library.

For now, Clay Cross Library remains open at its current home in Kenning Park – continuing to provide a welcoming space for reading, learning and community activities.

Meet our new Aldermen and Alderwoman
We have appointed six Honorary Aldermen and one Honorary Alderwoman to mark the significant contribution they have made to Derbyshire County Council.

The new Honorary Aldermen are Dave Allen, Barry Bingham, Barry Lewis, Ron Mihaly, Robert Parkinson and Simon Spencer, and the Alderwoman is Jean Innes. All of them have served as councillors for us.

We confer the title of Honorary Alderman or Honorary Alderwoman on former councillors who have given valuable service as past members.

Festive fun for families

If you're looking to keep the family entertained in the festive season, the Trans Pennine Trail 2025 Christmas Holiday Activity Pack is now available FREE to download from its website.

trans pennine trail christmas
The pack is bursting with festive fun for families, and you'll find nature-themed challenges like a winter scavenger hunt, creative crafts such as making a bird feeder, and a delicious cake pop recipe to try at home. The pack also features sensory games, puzzles, and a heart-warming story adventure with the trail's friendly mascots, encouraging everyone to explore the great outdoors.

You can use it on the trail, in your local park, or indoors.

With colourful characters leading the way, this activity pack inspires kids to discover winter wildlife, get creative and enjoy the magic of the outdoors. There are even opportunities to share their adventures and earn a digital certificate.

The Trans Pennine Trail is an exciting route for walkers, cyclists, wheelers and horse riders. Sections begin in both York and Leeds before extending south. In Derbyshire it runs from just north of Killamarsh to Chesterfield. Stretches also run from the Irish Sea to the North Sea.