Consultation begins on devolution plans
Council leader, John Burrows, and chief executive, Huw Bowen have been out and about with other council officers drumming up support for the proposal at a number of events around the borough throughout July.
The controversial deal would see almost £500 million devolved to the town over the next five years but would also mean it joining with a number of other local authorities to deliver some services.
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Hide AdJohn Burrows, leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “This is a devolution deal where money is being sent from Westminster down to local level where decisions will be made.
“As a result, we will get £484 million over the next five years and £900 million over a thirty year period with possibly much more to come.
“It is not about taking Chesterfield out of Derbyshire as people are implying - that will not happen.
“It is about taking Chesterfield into an economic deal that gives us a massive opportunity to get new jobs, new skills, business growth and new housing.”
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Hide AdHowever, many remain unconvinced by the plans, with the lack of a democratic vote on them one of the main bones of contention.
Resident Tony Kershaw, of Barlow, said: “We don’t want this to be steamrollered through - we need a democratic vote.
“This is not democracy, it is communism.”
You can fill in the consultation online or get a hard copy of the document from Chesterfield Borough Council.