The Government has approved plans to create two new unitary councils for Derbyshire, with Chesterfield Borough Council Leader Councillor Tricia Gilby welcoming the announcement.
The decision will establish one unitary council covering the north of the county and another covering the south, with a boundary line through Amber Valley. Chesterfield will fall within the north Derbyshire council. The arrangement is subject to formal Parliamentary approval.
The Government's decision supports the proposal known as 'B1' from the "One Derbyshire, Two Councils" case for change document, which was submitted to Government in November last year and formally endorsed by Chesterfield Borough Council.
What the Council Leader Said
Councillor Gilby described the move as "a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to redesign and modernise council services so that they better meet the needs of our residents and businesses."
She said the two new councils would "keep councils connected to local people" while being "big enough to deliver effective and value-for money services, but close enough to listen and respond to local needs, both now and in the future."
Next Steps
The announcement marks the start of the next phase of preparation for local government reorganisation. Chesterfield Borough Council said it will continue working with partner councils and communities to build the new unitary council serving north Derbyshire, while maintaining strategic links with the new southern council.