Chesterfield Lib Dems vote to support the application for full membership of Sheffield City Region

Talk of devolution has been around for a long time and our connection with Sheffield City region is well established, Chesterfield Liberal Democrats actually instigated the link during our period of control.

Central government has pressed for widespread devolution in order to ensure better regional partnership working. At Chesterfield we have benefitted greatly from our positive links with SCR but, until recently, had been unable to become full partners. New enhanced legislation has now made that possible.

As a result of the extensive discussion earlier this evening the Liberal Democrat Group supported the council's application for full membership of the Sheffield City region.The alternative - to become full members of the North Midlands region (Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire) - has been evaluated but currently looks less favourable; however their offer is still being developed. We are assured that, should their subsequent offer prove more favourable, it is possible to change our stance at a later date.

It is worth mentioning that the negative and frankly inaccurate information disseminated by our County Council has been less than helpful in creating a climate of fear and confusion.

This debate has never been about geography. Chesterfield IS and ALWAYS will be in Derbyshire. The firming of our existing link with SCR is purely about obtaining greater opportunities for funding to continue to enhance our town's prosperity.

The one that is certain is that change is inevitable. The new North Midlands partnership is looking at developing some shared services so changes at County are inevitable - exactly to what extent is currently unclear.

One aspect, that we and almost everyone opposes, is the imposition of an elected mayor in all devolved regions. Central government has made this mandatory in order to obtain the devolved funding. The elected mayor will not take on any of the roles currently serviced by the borough council and the borough's mayoralty remains unchanged as a civic function.

Devolution is complex and the imposed timetables have made it difficult to explain the complexities to the electorate. It may seem back to front but wider consultation will begin immediately with the promise that new concerns and fears be taken into account before the council's application is sent to the Secretary of State as a summary of views will form a key part of the council's submission.