UPDATE: Plans for combined Notts and Derby mayor could be scrapped

Plans to bring in a new elected mayor for Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire may have to be scrapped amid talks today.
Nottinghamshire County Council awaits district councils' decision on an historic devolution deal to unite authorities for great local powers.Nottinghamshire County Council awaits district councils' decision on an historic devolution deal to unite authorities for great local powers.
Nottinghamshire County Council awaits district councils' decision on an historic devolution deal to unite authorities for great local powers.

Members of every district and county council in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire are meeting in Mansfield this morning to decide once and for all who is taking part in a new 'North Midlands' authority.

And from the closed meeting there are reports that, with less support from District Councils, a combined authority may have to go forward without an elected mayor.

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Nineteen local authorities must declare their interest today in whether they want to join the deal, which would see transport and economic powers devolved locally fromCentral Government.

But the deal may be at risk as a number of councils have already opted out and more were still deliberating yesterday. Chesterfuield Borough Council has now voted unanimously in favour of joining the similar Sheffield City Region scheme.

And there are reports that only 13 of the 19 authorities are still interested in forming a new combined authority to act above County Councils.

South Derbyshire District Council, High Peak Borough Council, Amber Valley Borough Council have all said they are against the deal and last night Ilkeston joined them against the D2N2 project.

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Chesterfield Borough Council's decision causes particular concern as it will result in a 'complicated' relationship with DCC, who would lose control of some services to Sheffield.

A spokesman for Nottinghamshire County Council said: "There's been a bit of conflict between Derbyshire County Council and Chesterfield because they want to joint the Sheffield City Region.

"Devolved powers will mean extra funding and control on projects like transport - if we want a major road scheme we'd have to bid for central government funding. Devolution gives you the resources up front to set your own priorities and speed up the planning process.

"It also gives more powers to bring derelict land sites back into use."

Check back for updates later.