Last December we reported that James Goudie KC and Edward Capewell successfully acted for Derbyshire County Council when it challenged the legality of the consultation carried out by the proposed Sheffield City Region authority in connection with an increase in its powers and its extension to encompass the areas of Chesterfield Borough Council and Bassetlaw Borough Council. Ouseley J held that the consultation was unlawful and did not comply with the statutory requirements, because it had failed to ask consultees about one of the major proposals in the scheme, viz. whether or not Chesterfield BC should become a member of the proposed Combined Authority.
Last week the leader of Derbyshire County Council announced his intention to hold a postal referendum of all Chesterfield borough residents over the age of 18 about whether they want the town to become part of the Sheffield City Region. Yesterday it was announced that Chesterfield Borough Council’s leader has pulled the council’s devolution bid.
