The High Court has ruled a consultation used to justify a planned expansion of the Sheffield regional border into Bassetlaw was unlawful.
Sheffield City Region announced the idea earlier this year to bring control of some of the area’s council-run services under its control, and away from Nottinghamshire County Council.
It is being backed by Bassetlaw’s Labour MP John Mann and District Council Leader Simon Greaves and also included bringing Chesterfield in Derbyshire into Sheffield’s region.
But the plan is in jeopardy after Wednesday’s ruling when High Court Judge Mr Justice Ouseley said a public consultation run on the plan was flawed.
Derbyshire County Council took the legal action because it believed the consultation was unfair and misleading.
The judge agreed, saying it failed to ask local people a direct question about whether or not they believed Chesterfield should become part of Sheffield city region.
He said “something had gone seriously and significantly wrong” in the process.
Bassetlaw was subject to the same consultation.
Alan Rhodes, Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council, has opposed the plans from the start.
He said: “Our position remains unchanged – we believe that it would not be in the best interests of the people of Bassetlaw or Nottinghamshire as a whole.
“We set out our concerns with regards to the negative impact on economic prospects, public services and local democracy, both to Sheffield and senior Government Ministers.
“We also raised serious questions over the credibility and quality of Sheffield City Region’s consultation, which has been the subject of the High Court challenge by Derbyshire.
It is not clear to what extent the ruling could impact the Government’s final decision over devolution to the Sheffield City Region and its membership.
Cllr Rhodes added: “Regardless of the ultimate outcome, our long-standing relationship with Sheffield City Region and Bassetlaw District Council remains a positive one and they will continue to be important partners for the County Council in delivering the best possible services and economic prosperity in Bassetlaw and Nottinghamshire as a whole.”
