High Peak Conservatives announce new leader

High Peak Conservative councillors have elected Cllr Adrian “Adie” Hopkinson as their new Group Leader, making him Leader of the Opposition on High Peak Borough Council.

The change comes as High Peak Conservatives turn their attention towards next May’s elections to the new North Derbyshire Council, which will replace High Peak Borough Council and other existing local authorities as part of local government reorganisation.

Adie, who represents Old Glossop, is a well-known community campaigner with a long record of public service in the High Peak.

Before entering elected politics, he served for 30 years with Derbyshire Constabulary, including 17 years in roads policing and work as a Family Liaison Officer. He also spent 17 years with Glossop Mountain Rescue Team, including time as its chairman, and has been involved with Scouting and neighbourhood watch in Glossop.

Since his election to High Peak Borough Council in 2023, Adie has been an active local campaigner. He has been a prominent voice opposing Labour’s decision to close the Carelink service, challenging both the decision itself and the way in which it was made.

He has also campaigned to retain the household waste recycling centre at Glossop, and has repeatedly raised concerns about the condition of local roads, calling for repairs and questioning the priorities used for highways maintenance.

Cllr Hopkinson said:

“I am delighted that my colleagues have put their trust in me to lead the Conservative Group. We have a strong team of councillors who care deeply about the communities they represent, and my job will be to make sure that we provide an effective opposition at High Peak Borough Council while continuing to campaign for residents across the borough.

“The next year will be particularly important. The creation of the new North Derbyshire Council represents the biggest change to local government here for decades. We want to make sure that the High Peak has a strong voice on that new authority from the very beginning.

“That means getting out into our communities, listening to residents, and campaigning on the things that matter to them. Whether it is fighting to save Carelink and Glossop Tip, or simply making sure that our roads are properly maintained, people deserve councillors who will speak up for them and get things done.”

The Conservative Group said the leadership change reflected its increasing focus on the 2027 local elections and the transition to the new unitary authority.

A spokesperson said:

“Adie is a proven campaigner, a familiar and popular figure in the High Peak, and someone with a remarkable record of public and community service.

“The elections next May will determine who represents the High Peak during the creation of the new North Derbyshire Council. We want to go into those elections with a strong campaigning organisation, a clear message, and candidates who are rooted in their communities.

“Adie is the right person to lead that effort.”

Elections to the new North Derbyshire Council are due to take place in May 2027. The authority will initially operate in shadow form before taking responsibility for local services from 1 April 2028.