Plans to abolish councils halte

Plans to abolish 10 councils and radically restructure local government across Derbyshire have been thrown into further doubt, after the Government formally withdrew its previous decision.

In September, the Government announced that plans approved in July to divide Derbyshire into two new unitary authorities had been put on hold while it reviewed its approach to local government reorganisation (LGR). 

Under the original proposals, High Peak Borough Council and Derbyshire County Council would cease to exist and be replaced by two larger authorities – one covering the north of Derbyshire and the other serving Derby and the south of the county. 

The proposed northern authority would have covered High Peak, Chesterfield, Derbyshire Dales, North East Derbyshire and Bolsover, as well as the northern part of Amber Valley. 

Known as ‘One Derbyshire, Two Councils’, the plan was part of the Government’s nationwide programme of local government reorganisation, aimed at simplifying council services, improving efficiency and saving money. 

However, on Thursday 29th October, the Government confirmed that its previous decision on the Derbyshire proposals, along with decisions for eight other areas, had been formally ‘withdrawn’. 

The Government stressed that this does not mean reorganisation has been cancelled in those areas. Instead, all options and proposals remain under consideration, with further decisions expected by early next year. 

The Government is continuing with its plans for five other areas, where larger unitary authorities are due to be introduced. 

Local elections in Derbyshire and the other areas where decisions remain unresolved will go ahead in May 2027, on existing council boundaries. This means High Peak residents will continue to vote under the current arrangements for now. 

The Government says it is reconsidering all options as it looks at how best to simplify local government, improve public services and deliver savings. 

It had originally been hoped that the new authorities would be established in 2028, but no new timescale has yet been confirmed. 

Derbyshire County Council Leader Councillor Alan Graves had previously argued that a single unitary authority covering the whole county would be the best option, rather than the two-council model approved by the Government in July. 

Responding to the latest announcement, he said: 

"While we were disappointed by the Government's decision in September to pause plans for new unitary authorities while a review was undertaken, we welcome the additional time this provides to engage with Government on our preferred option for Uniting Derbyshire served by a single local authority. 

"This has consistently been the county council's preferred approach because it provides the strongest foundation for sustainable, high-quality services, delivers the greatest benefits from reorganisation, and avoids the disruption that would result from breaking up services that currently operate across the county. 

"Ultimately, it is vital that any transition is managed carefully and responsibly, while ensuring services continue to be delivered safely and effectively. We will continue to work constructively with the Government and our local authority partners as the new timescales are developed and the options are reappraised." 

High Peak Borough Council Leader Councillor Anthony McKeown has been contacted for comment.