Residents of Chapel-en-le-Frith are voicing strong opposition to plans for merging with Greater Manchester councils
Chapel-en-le-Frith: It’s just nine miles from the hustle and bustle of Manchester, but this charming Peak District town feels worlds apart. With its traditional stone buildings and quiet streets, it’s a place where many locals prefer the peace of country life.
Home to about 8,000 people, Chapel-en-le-Frith is part of High Peak Borough Council, which is under Derbyshire County Council. That’s a tiny fraction compared to the nearly 3 million folks in Greater Manchester.
Now, there are talks about merging local councils, and some proposals suggest that High Peak could join forces with Tameside or Stockport in Greater Manchester. This has stirred up quite a bit of chatter among residents.
Jon Pearce, the local Labour MP, has shown interest in making this change by the end of 2024. But many locals aren’t on board with that idea. Arthur Carrington, a lifelong resident, shared his thoughts, saying most people around there don’t even go to Manchester. He feels it’s a big city, and they’re just country folk.
Arthur also mentioned that it wouldn’t feel right to be part of Manchester. He believes there’s no real connection between the two places. Plus, he worries about the costs of administration if things were run from the city.
Alan Waterhouse, another local, echoed these sentiments. He’s concerned that merging would lead to even more crowding. He pointed out that many people commute from Chapel to Manchester but don’t really contribute to the local community. It’s a shift from the town’s farming roots to a more suburban vibe.
Dawn Goodwin, a fellow resident, is worried about the financial implications of such a move. She thinks it would be more expensive to join Greater Manchester, especially since they already pay quite a bit in taxes. She was shocked when the MP brought up the idea, noting that no one seems keen on it.
High Peak Borough Council’s leader, Councillor Anthony McKeown, said they need time to look into these proposals. He emphasized the importance of understanding what’s best for the residents and businesses in High Peak before making any decisions.
Meanwhile, Councillor Barry Lewis, the leader of Derbyshire County Council, is open to the idea of local government reform. He believes it could lead to savings and better access to services. However, he also noted that it’s still early days, and more discussions are needed to figure out the best path forward.
