Report by Local Democracy Reporter – Jon Cooper
Derbyshire councillors have united to help establish the county and region as a greater global base and destination for worldwide movies and television to boost jobs, economic growth and the arts.
Reform-controlled Derbyshire County Council voted with opposition party councillors in favour of Cllr Sarah Reaney’s motion at a meeting on July 15 for the authority to recognise the industry as a priority sector and to develop a screen and creative industries plan while exploring a potential film or creative industries office or studio with various partnerships.
Cllr Reaney told the meeting: “Stoney Middleton, Chatsworth, Sutton Hall, Elvaston Castle, Lady Bower all have one thing in common – the film industry.
“From Mission Impossible to Women in Love, all have links to our wonderful Derbyshire.
“First and foremost this motion is politically neutral and is nothing to do with national policy put out by our party. The motion is purely and unreservedly aimed at solving a regional issue.”
Reform UK Cllr Reaney said the plan aims to improve prospects for ‘our wonderful county of Derbyshire’ and she argued the council can help the film industry, which wants to work in the region more than it already does, while benefiting the area with a major opportunity for jobs, skills, business growth, and the visitor economy.
She hopes a dedicated plan overseen by the council would address current issues for the film industry in Derbyshire including the lack of a film studio, access to the area’s talent pool and skilled workers, and support from local authorities for permissions to film in various locations.
Cllr Reaney said: “The film industry needs studios. Would it surprise you that the East Midlands does not have a film studio. We did have Carlton based in Nottinghamshire until it closed its doors some 15 years ago.
“Many of the studios are based in London and the south. Liverpool, thanks to the Beatles and Stephen Graham, seem to have seized the moment and the film industry is thriving in that area creating employment and much-needed jobs.
“Without a permanent base locally the film industry simply cannot work here each and every day creating content such as news programmes, chat shows, sit-coms and documentaries, which is, to coin a phrase, the bread and butter of the creative world.”
Cllr Reaney added that the film industry also needs a talent pool and supply network of skilled workers including costume and stunt specialists, location finders, legal and financial experts and those working in technical jobs and public relations.
She added: “We have a lot of talent from our universities and colleges which sadly is being lost when they have to leave the area and relocate to London and the south for these job opportunities. Wouldn’t it be great if we could provide an outlet for that talent here in Derbyshire?”
Cllr Reaney also explained that film productions require permission to use certain locations and the council could offer that support and reassurance that it is a willing partner.
She told the meeting that Derbyshire County Council has already agreed to support the film industry in England as a member of a charter but she urged the council to underline its commitment and join forces with other authorities including the East Midlands Combined County Authority.
Cllr Reaney said: “The main benefit is employment in our area. Derbyshire has a missing industry, an industry that we want and need that would provide many benefits for our county.”
Conservative Cllr Wayne Major said he agreed with the plan but his proposed amendment for the council to allocate £1m of its budget underspend to the project was dismissed as a budget matter that was not in discussion at the council meeting.
However, he said: “I absolutely, whole-heartedly agree with this one. Absolutely fabulous to do. Creative industries are a wonderful thing for our children and students to get into – bringing inward investment into Derbyshire. Absolutely fabulous.”
Independent Cllr Emma Monkman praised Cllr Reaney and said she thought this is ‘brilliant work’ being brought forward.
She added: “I am blessed to live in Belper and I am always wondering why we are not filming everywhere around there because it’s absolutely stunning.”
Reform UK Cllr Melandra Smith said that creative industries are one of the fastest growing and most valuable parts of the UK economy generating around £124 billion for the UK in 2023 and supporting approximately 2.4 million jobs.
Cllr Smith added that the Government identifies creative industries as one of the country’s key growth sectors with the film, television, radio and photography sector alone contributing more than £21bn.
She said: “It’s a major national success story and as Derbyshire is already famous for playing matchmaker in Pride and Prejudice perhaps it’s time we help arrange another successful partnership because I genuinely believe Derbyshire should become the film industry’s next great love story.”
Cllr Smith highlighted that Derbyshire has spectacular landscapes, historic towns, grand country houses, industrial heritage, rolling countryside and dramatic scenery and the UK is one of the leading destinations for screen production with film and television production spending reaching £5.6bn last year.
She added that this creates work for local suppliers, hotels, caterers, transport providers, freelancers and skilled trades people but to attract such film productions and investment there is a need for a strategy, strong partnerships and a ‘welcoming front door’ which is why she supports a Derbyshire screen and creative industry plan and the exploration of a dedicated film office.
Cllr Smith said: “So let’s not leave Derbyshire waiting for a sequel, let’s make sure that when the next chapter of the UK’s creative industry is written Derbyshire has more than just a cameo role.”
Numerous film and TV productions over the years have been filmed in Derbyshire, particularly in the Peak District’s rural landscape, quarries and stately homes like Chatsworth House.
These have included: Pride and Prejudice; The Dam Busters; Dead Man’s Shoes; The Mission Impossible franchise; Batman; House of the Dragon; Harry Potter; Star Wars spin-off Andor; Jane Eyre; The Princess Bride; Mary Queen of Scots; The League of Gentlemen; And This is England.
The council voted in favour of recognising the creative industries as a priority sector, to developing a screen and creative industries plan, to exploring options for a film or creative industries office, to set up partnerships with academic centres, and to engage with other councils while noting proven council-linked creative ventures as officers consider options.
Cllr Robert Reaney, who was at the helm of original plans, last year, hopes the council will be able to help to provide a base, a supply network of talent through universities and college and the support the industry needs to work in Derbyshire and the region to boost the area’s employment and economic growth opportunities.
He previously suggested the 428-acre ‘East Midlands Intermodal Park’ opposite Toyota’s Burnaston HQ, next to the A38/A50 roundabout, as a potential location for a large film studio.
Cllr Robert Reaney has also said any proposed plan might involve the 321-acre Elvaston Castle Country Park estate – and particularly its campsite – as a base for production companies to accommodate their crew, cast and extras during filming.
Following the council meeting, Cllr Robert Reaney said the council’s plan is for Derbyshire to roll out a ‘red carpet’ welcome with its strategy for the film industry to come to the region.
He added: “What most people do not understand is that we have not got a film studio in the East Midlands because most of them are in London and down south as well as something in Manchester, Liverpool and Leeds and a couple in the north.
“But there is a great big gap in the East Midlands promoting our area. Film companies do come but they need to drag up the whole of their own team and they struggle for a base to operate from daily. They cannot do that without a studio which is a problem we want to solve.”
