The government has launched a public consultation on proposals for Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) in Greater Lincolnshire. It is open for seven weeks and anyone can take part.
To have your say go to Proposals for local government reorganisation in Lincolnshire, North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire – GOV.UK before the closing date of Thursday 26th March.
The Leader of South Kesteven District Council, Cllr Ashley Baxter, said: “This will be the biggest change to local government in a generation and the consultation provides an important opportunity for residents to have their say.
“The Government decision-makers should be made aware of the views of the people who will be most affected by the outcome of this process.
“Our proposal, called BEST4GreaterLincolnshire, has been drawn up based on sound evidence and extensive public input. Our aim is to keep local government as local as we can.”
Once the consultation has concluded, the Government will assess the feedback and decide which proposal will be implemented. An announcement on the way forward for Greater Lincolnshire is expected in July.
LGR will see Greater Lincolnshire’s two-tier system of county and district councils replaced by fewer unitary authorities. The bids are:
- North and South Kesteven joint proposal – A new council combining the Kestevens with the South Holland district authority of a similar size. Boston, Lincoln and East and West Lindsey would form a separate authority of a similar size. North and North East Lincolnshire councils would remain as they are now.
- Lincolnshire County Council, North East Lincolnshire and North Lincolnshire – A single-tier council responsible for all local government services across the current county council geographical area. North East and North Lincolnshire would remain the same.
- City of Lincoln Council – A Lincoln City unitary council, Rural Lincolnshire council and retain North and North East Lincolnshire in their current geographical areas
- South East Lincolnshire Partnership – East Lindsey District Council, South Holland District Council and Boston Borough Council propose replacing the ten existing councils with one council in the North and one in the South.
The consultation asks how respondents they think the proposals meet each of the key criteria, set by Central Government, for establishing the larger unitary councils that will be responsible for all local government functions.
Printed copies of each proposal will be available to view at all main libraries and council offices across Greater Lincolnshire.
Full details of the proposals for Lincolnshire are available at Proposals | Greater Lincolnshire LGR Hub
