LGR proposal published by South Kesteven District Council

South Kesteven District Council has drawn up its detailed proposal for Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) in Lincolnshire.

The document, prepared in partnership with North Kesteven District Council, proposes a new council combining the Kestevens with the neighbouring South Holland district.

Boston, Lincoln and East and West Lindsey would form another authority of a similar size. North and North-East Lincolnshire Councils would remain as they are for now, but with a view to a potential merger.

The proposal will be discussed at a Full Council meeting of SKDC on Thursday 20^th November and by its Cabinet on Monday 24^th November.

It will be discussed at a Full Meeting of all North Kesteven councillors on Thursday 20^th November before going to its Executive Board on Thursday 27^th November.

The final version will be submitted to Central Government by Friday 28^th November and a decision on the future of local government in Lincolnshire is expected by the middle of next year.

The Government’s decision will be based on geography and capacity to deliver services including housing, planning, leisure and culture, benefits, health, adult social care and children’s services.

Key dates in the process are:

28^th November 2025 – submission of final LGR proposals
Spring 2026 – Government consultation begins
July 2026 – Government decision announced
May 2027 – Elections for new shadow authorities
April 2028 – LGR comes into effect

Greater Lincolnshire currently has six district councils, plus Lincoln City Council, Lincolnshire County Council and two unitary authorities covering the North and North-East of the county. Other proposals are expected to be submitted by councils in Greater Lincolnshire.

In a joint statement the Leader of SKDC, Cllr Ashley Baxter (pictured below right), and the Leader of NKDC, Cllr Richard Wright (below left), said: “More than 5,500 people responded to our public engagement and it was telling that, for 83% of them, keeping councils local was the most important thing.

“We believe that our proposal is the best option for achieving anything close to this. It is practical, pragmatic and, we believe, would be a popular outcome for reorganisation, maintaining the closest possible connection between councils and their communities of any of the others proposed.

“It will be right for Lincolnshire – big enough to satisfy the need for streamlined delivery of services whilst remaining efficient, effective and able to respond to the needs of the communities it will serve.

“Ours is a credible, evidence-led proposal that we believe will provide the best outcome of Local Government Reorganisation for our county – the Best4GreaterLincolnshire.”

In making the case for their joint proposal as being the Best4GreaterLincolnshire, Cllrs Wright and Baxter say it will be transformative, open up new opportunities, and efficiencies and consolidate services in the best interests of residents and businesses: