Derbyshire CC's cleaning, caretaking and building design services will be transferred to joint venture companies run with Suffolk CC from next month.

Cabinet member for corporate services at Derbyshire, Cllr Angelique Foster, said: ‘Transferring these services to commercial companies which are wholly owned by the public sector is the best possible option for these services, which provide vital support directly to the council as well as to a range of other organisations, including Derbyshire schools.