High Peak MP defends support for Manchester merger

Labour MP Jon Pearce says there is a "strong case from an economic and public services perspective" for exploring High Peak Borough Council merging with Tameside or Stockport councils

Labour MP Jon Pearce has defended his backing for High Peak Borough Council to merge with neighbouring authorities in Greater Manchester, claiming the borough has "for too long been the poor relation of Derbyshire."

The government has asked local councils to respond in the coming weeks to plans which could see district and borough councils scrapped in favour of larger regional authorities like those overseen by mayors.

Jon Pearce has said High Peak merging with councils in Greater Manchester such as Tameside or Stockport was a "no brainer".

But the area's former Conservative MP Robert Largan says any proposals to do so would "rip out" High Peak's Derbyshire identity.

Pearce said there is a "strong case from an economic and public services perspective" for exploring a merger with Tameside or Stockport councils, which border High Peak to the north.

He added: "High Peak Borough Council will disappear as part of the reorganisation along with all other district councils.

"The proposed size for any new unitary council is around half a million. High Peak has about 90,000 residents, so we will need to merge with neighbouring areas to form a new unitary.

"Greater Manchester has the fastest growing economy in the UK. When you look at key economic indicators, like travel to work areas, all High Peak points towards the Northwest.

"In simple terms, on a day-to-day basis we look North not South."

Peace says most of High Peak's transport, health and education links point towards Greater Manchester rather than Derbyshire.

"For too long we have been the poor relations in Derbyshire. Never a priority and always the first place targeted by cuts," he added.

'Permanant and drastic change'

The former Conservative MP for High Peak says the proposals could have a big impact on the area's housing needs

But the former Conservative MP for the area Robert Largan claims High Peak residents would be overwhelmingly opposed to being merged with Greater Manchester Councils.

He said: "People in High Peak are proud about where they live, they're proud of their area, their history, their shared identity and they don't want to see that ripped out."

Largan says the plans have also come at a time when High Peak, like other Derbyshire councils, has seen a large increase in its housing targets.

"People are really concerned that [local government reorganisation plans] are going to be a green light to urban sprawl," he added.

"And seeing Greater Manchester spread out across the Peak District would permanently and drastically change the face of our countryside.

"When affordable housing is in very short supply, suddenly residents in places like Buxton and Whaley Bridge and Chapel would be competing for affordable housing with people from across Greater Manchester.

"That really doesn't seem fair or in the best interests of the High Peak."

Pearce has dismissed Largan's concerns and said he remains "open minded about all options", except plans submitted by Derbyshire County Council for a "mega council" covering the whole of Derbyshire except Derby City, as he feels the new Derbyshire authority would be "too vast and too remote".

Derbyshire County Council's Conservative leader Barry Lewis told the BBC he was "confident" the idea High Peak could merge with Greater Manchester authorities "would neither be possible nor acceptable".

He said: "I have positively responded to a meeting request from the Districts and Boroughs—including High Peak —to meet and discuss this early in the New Year."

The government says merging councils could save £2bn.

Councils must submit draft plans by spring 2025. The government will then decide on the proposals over the following twelve months, with the first unitary councils expected to be formed in April 2027.