County council leaders seek to delay elections

Derbyshire County Council leaders will ask the government to allow it to postpone its elections in May as part of plans to reshape local councils.

The authority wants to be considered among the prioritised early tranche of councils that could be merged as part of plans to reorganise local government in England.

It would mean that district and borough councils are scrapped in favour of larger regional authorities like those overseen by mayors.

It remains uncertain whether Derbyshire would be seen as a priority for reorganisation given "a lack of clear guidance" on the issue, county council leaders said.

It is thought that because the area only recently put in place a new devolution deal, the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA), it could fall down the government's priority list compared to areas without a deal and a mayor in place, some senior local figures suggested.

If ministers agree to allow Derbyshire to submit early plans and become a priority area, it would mean a 12-month postponement of elections.

The plan being put forward to ministers would see Derbyshire merge with districts and boroughs to establish a single-tier authority covering county boundaries, with Derby City Council maintaining its existing boundaries.

Derbyshire County Council's Conservative leader Barry Lewis told the BBC he was "acting decisively" and providing "clear leadership".

"If granted, this would provide the necessary time to complete the reorganisation process and hold shadow elections under new ward boundaries by May 2027, in line with current legislation," he said.

"To be clear - this is the government's programme and timetable - not ours."

The leader added he was "determined to approach this process from a position of strength" given "significant concerns about Labour's ability to prioritise the best interests of Derbyshire's residents".

Lewis insists he remains committed to dialogue with neighbouring leaders of districts and boroughs and will continue meeting them throughout this week.

However, the Conservative leader has faced criticism from the Labour leader of Derby City Council for "stating first what you're going to do and then talking afterwards" and "putting the cart before the horse".

Nadine Peatfield told the BBC: "It's a bit pre-emptive to be putting forward suggestions without speaking to districts and boroughs... it's really important we find our decision and come to our conclusions together."

There will be a discussion in Derby next week focusing on the area's options ahead of the authority submitting its own proposals in the coming weeks.

There are several options under consideration locally for what Derby and Derbyshire would look like under the government's plans.

As well as a county-wide authority keeping Derby separate on its existing boundaries, the same option with expanded boundaries, a county-wide authority that takes in Derby, and splitting the county into a North Derbyshire and South Derbyshire are among the most commonly-touted options.

Councils must submit draft suggestions by spring, but the deadline could be extended later into the year if local authorities are not considered priority areas for the government.

Final decisions have yet to be made and a full council meeting debate and decision will be required if Derbyshire is granted priority status.

Lewis told the BBC: "We are confident that this approach will retain our Derbyshire identity and create a stronger foundation for delivering essential services and driving economic growth in Derbyshire."

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