Are we going to get a say?

9.41.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 19th Jun 2009

High Peak Borough Council is rapidly being dismantled, with no account being taken of the views of the residents of the High Peak.

The Tory-run administration is looking to dispose of the Council's main asset, the offices at Chinley. Once that central, key property has gone, we will have passed a point of no return.

When are the Tories going to come clean over this emerging set-up with neighbouring Staffordshire Moorlands? This 'Strategic Alliance' is not even a merger: it is becoming a take over. We not only have a shared Chief Executive but now 'shared' senior officers. Very shortly, all of the housing administration is going to Leek. With a sell off of the Chinley headquarters, the writing is on the wall for the entity known as High Peak Borough Council.

So if, as it seems, a full merger of the two authorities is to take place shouldn't we the people at least have a say and a vote? Bearing in mind that the merger involves another County - which is in a completely different administrative region - for example what about High Peak residents' policing, fire service and educational needs?

It is time for an open debate with all to have their say, and none more so than the residents of the High Peak.