Just before Christmas, the High Court backed an objection by Derbyshire CC against efforts by Chesterfield BC to attach itself to the emerging Sheffield City Region combined authority. It found that local residents had not been properly consulted, a process which must now take place before any decision is taken.

It is tempting to ask what all the fuss is about? If Chesterfield was to become a member of the combined authority, this would not involve the borough ‘opting out’ of Derbyshire. Far from it.