Local Government restructure heading in the right direction

All eight district and borough councils have rejected Derbyshire Conservatives plan for a mega council. It is a terrible idea, and High Peak would be the biggest loser.

Derbyshire Conservatives submitted their proposal without telling anyone and then tried to railroad it through but thankfully their attempt to get the local elections in May cancelled were blocked by the Government.

Unbelievably they are now holding a sham consultation, which is costing £200,000 of our money. Such costs could be justified on such an important issue for our local area, if they hadn’t already made up their mind and submitted their proposals. That money could have been spent on sorting out the potholes in our roads, supporting children with SEND and their families or keeping our care homes open.

By contrast the eight district and borough councils in Derbyshire are taking a much more collegiate approach, working together to look at the best options for delivering better public services.

The current options they are exploring would involve the creation of two new unitary Councils. It is likely that High Peak would be part of a northern Derbyshire unitary based in Chesterfield with the surrounding districts of Bolsover and North East Derbyshire, Derbyshire Dales and us.

This is certainly a move in the right direction compared with Derbyshire Conservatives mega council. But before we could sign up to such a proposal, we would need reassuring that our very differing needs would be addressed.

For too long High Peak has not been anyone’s priority. Whilst towns all around us got levelling up funding, we missed out. Buxton was supposed to get a new health hub but the last government crossed it off the list. After fifty years of campaigning, we are finally getting a bypass on the A57/A628 just not our half of it.

For this to change we need to get the best possible deal in these devolution negotiations. Going forwards regional mayors will create economic growth strategies, which will decide where investment goes. Our economic interests do not align with Derby, Nottingham or a greater Chesterfield, so how do we make sure we are not overlooked?

Parts of High Peak are north of Sheffield and Liverpool but we are not part of the Northern Powerhouse and all of the opportunities for investment that brings.

Our major transport infrastructure connects Greater Manchester and South Yorkshire. That presents huge opportunities for us that have been overlooked for too long. For example, we still only get one train an hour on the Hope Valley line, and Derbyshire County Council is refusing to prioritise the Snake Pass because it connects Manchester and Sheffield rather than other parts of Derbyshire.

The Bee Network is extending into some of our towns taking over the bus and train networks. This is really great news as it will help make travelling to Greater Manchester easier and cheaper. But we can’t vote for the Greater Manchester Mayor – so how do we hold him to account and ensure that our services are a priority?

The same issues with accountability are true for healthcare, with more people using Stepping Hill or Tameside than Chesterfield or Derby.

So, whilst I welcome the plans being looked at by the eight Derbyshire district and borough councils, I want answers to the above challenges and I’m determined to get High Peak the best possible deal. It’s time we got our fair share!