DEVOLUTION: '˜I believe the deal is in the town's best interests'

'The fact that I believe the deal may be in the best interests of the town doesn't mean that I am not willing to listen to representations that disagree with that, but I believe that there has been a deliberate intention to mislead people.

“Firstly, there is no proposal to merge Chesterfield into Sheffield, no plan for Sheffield City Council to provide any services in Chesterfield and no plan to move into South Yorkshire.

“It is simply untrue to suggest - as the Derbyshire County Labour Group leaflet implied - that the proposals are a merger or will lead to Chesterfield ‘falling under’ Sheffield.

“Secondly, the majority of powers being devolved are coming from central government - not from Chesterfield or Derbyshire.

“Derbyshire County Council will still provide schools, adult social services, child social services, youth services, highways, waste management and many other things.

“The mayors will be responsible for preparing a strategic planning framework, but crucially the leader of Chesterfield Borough Council will have a veto to prevent any unwanted developments in our area.”