Council leaders have their say on devolution

The Labour Government has announced plans for widespread devolution - the handing over of national powers - and local government reorganisation.

Derbyshire is an area of focus for the Government, having two layers of councils, and the county council has been given three weeks - until January 10 - to decide whether it is postponing its May 2025 elections in order to focus on devolution and reorganisation plans. 

The Local Democracy Reporting Service has asked Derby and Derbyshire's 10 council leaders for their thoughts on the potential abolition of eight councils and what mergers could be tabled.

One formation would leave Derby entirely encircled by a new unitary authority for the remaining part of Derbyshire, seeing Derbyshire County Council and eight district and borough councils scrapped and formed into into one super council, and leaving the city as it is. There have been talks about this reorganisation potentially providing the right time to expand the city's boundary, which the authority has been pushing for, on and off, for years.

Meanwhile, conversations have also been had about the creation of new unitaries across county lines between Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire -within the boundary of the New East Midlands Combined County Authority.

DERBYSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

Councillor Barry Lewis, leader of Derbyshire County Council, said: "We welcome reform of local government where it could deliver real savings; enhance local democracy; and simplify access to council services.

"It's early days, there are still some conversations to be had within the council, and we need to look at the detail of the government's proposals. But if the principle of combining tiers of councils with a minimum half-million population is upheld, and the approach is sensible, then merging two-tier authorities like ours into a single county unitary council could potentially provide wider benefits for our local communities.

“We're ready to work with Derby City Council and district and borough colleagues to shape the proposals if the government's plans are sufficiently directive and they align with what is best for Derbyshire.”

DERBY CITY

Councillor Nadine Peatfield, Derby City Council Leader, said: "Evidently, the implications of the White Paper for local government are particularly significant, but at this very early stage, we are still digesting what this may mean for Derby City Council.

"We are aware that Derbyshire County Council may wish to pursue a county-wide unitary option, although it is important to point out that there are other options which need to be considered.

“Derby City Council will want to explore all available options for local government reorganisation, along with our neighbouring councils, and evaluate them against the criteria that the Government will be issuing in January.”

AMBER VALLEY BOROUGH

Councillor Chris-Emmas-Williams, Amber Valley Borough Council leader, said: "I was very shocked when the White Paper came out and did not expect the level of proposed reorganisation, especially to district and borough councils, as we have delivered an amazing service over many years despite having suffered devastating funding cuts during 14 years of austerity.

"I also expected that as we are the only vehicle for delivering the new Government's agenda of meeting affordable housing targets, we would have been afforded extra consideration. Only last year we had the EMCCA Mayor election, which, after a difficult time of having to set up a completely new authority, is starting to deliver some major projects across both counties and expected that authority to be taking on more county council functions.

“As both city and county councils have had concerns over their funding positions, I did expect that would be the levels  that the Government would be looking at to have their services devolved down, along with funding to district councils.”

BOLSOVER DISTRICT

Councillor Steve Fritchley, Bolsover District Councillor leader, said: "I have never been, and will never be, a fan of removing local authorities as they are the epitome of what local government is and does and moving to larger unitary authorities will only go to undermine how local decisions are made.

"But let's face it, we are over-governed at present with 3 tiers of local government (parish, district and county) and when the decision was made to have an East Midlands Mayor, reorganisation was inevitable. It's no good tilting at windmills.

“Something clearly needs to be done and it is a debate we all need to take very seriously as it will affect every single resident in Bolsover district.”

CHESTERFIELD BOROUGH

Councillor Tricia Gilby, leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: "Our vision as a Council is to put our communities first, which means that we will always act in the in the best interests of the residents of the town and borough. 

"Local government reorganisation is a complex issue, and it is right that we take time to fully and carefully understand the proposals that Government has set out in its English Devolution White Paper.  We will engage with the process and ensure that the voices of Chesterfield's communities are properly represented and heard.

“In all likelihood there will be changes to local government structure as we known them."

DERBYSHIRE DALES DISTRICT

A Derbyshire Dales District Council spokesperson said: “The White Paper in its current form lacks clarity, but we will of course be watching its progress closely and will take part in full in the promised consultation process.”

EREWASH BOROUGH

Councillor James Dawson, Erewash Borough Council leader, said the devil was in the detail with the latest devolution talks, with key information being whether “county boundaries are sacrosanct”.

He said with the county already having a combined authority covering Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire it could lead to cross-county unitary plans, including “North Derbyshire" and "North Nottinghamshire”.

HIGH PEAK BOROUGH

Councillor Anthony McKeown, High Peak Borough Council leader, said: “As a council we have fully engaged with devolution so far and we are still in the early days of working with, and being represented on, the East Midlands County Combined Authority. We also have our successful strategic alliance with our neighbours at Staffordshire Moorlands District Council already delivering efficiently and effectively for our respective areas.”

NORTH EAST DERBYSHIRE DISTRICT

A spokesperson for North East Derbyshire District Council said: "The council understands that changes like these being proposed can bring uncertainty, especially with the unsettling media reports and the timing just before Christmas.

There are many checks and balances in place, and any significant changes will take time to implement.

"We are closely monitoring the situation and will keep you updated on any developments that may affect the council and its service delivery to our residents and businesses.

SOUTH DERBYSHIRE DISTRICT

Councillor Robert Pearson, South Derbyshire District Council Leader, said: "While we welcome the opportunity for greater local decision-making, we must carefully assess the implications and ensure local government is truly local and connected to its communities. 

"As the controlling group, we will work collaboratively with all members and the council's leadership team to fully engage in reviewing this extensive document and will collaborate closely with all our staff, regional colleagues and partners to shape a response that safeguards the best interests of South Derbyshire.

“Change on this scale doesn't happen overnight, but it is essential that our voice is heard early in this process.”

Eddie Bisknell, Buxton Advertiser, 2 January 2025