Councils give mixed feelings on Devolution agreement for Lincolnshire

In today's (Wednesday’s) Autumn statement, the Greater Lincolnshire Devolution deal was announced, which could see a new Mayoral Combined Authority created.

Lincolnshire County Council, North Lincolnshire Council and North East Lincolnshire Council, named as the upper-tier local authorities, are in the process of finalising their proposal that could lead to the formation of Mayoral Combined Authority for Greater Lincolnshire, potentially in 2025.

East Lindsey District Council’s Leader, Coun Craig Leyland, has cautiously welcomed the announcement, and that it will go out to public consultation.

He said: “For several months, district leaders have been in talks with other Lincolnshire Leaders to ensure a Devolution deal is right for Greater Lincolnshire and particularly, East Lindsey residents and businesses.

“Now the Chancellor has backed the vision shared across Greater Lincolnshire through his announcement today. Devolution will bring more funding opportunities and additional powers to best serve the region which is important to support economic growth, infrastructure and tourism in East Lindsey.”

Coun Nick Worth, Leader of South Holland District Council, was also optimistic about the plans, and encouraged residents to share their views.

He said: “The Autumn statement progresses many months of negotiations by Lincolnshire County Council, North and North East Lincolnshire Councils for a Mayoral Combined Authority for Greater Lincolnshire.

"This is something I look upon optimistically as an opportunity to bring in millions of pounds of new money over the next 30 years with investment in our businesses, skills, and infrastructure and for the benefit of our residents in South Holland.

“The views of South Holland as part of the Greater Lincolnshire authority are important in helping to shape the next steps in the process for a potential deal.

"The next phase will be a period of public consultation and when that starts in the coming weeks, I encourage you all to share your views and have your say as residents and businesses in South Holland.”

From Ian Fytche, Chief Executive of North Kesteven District Council, also welcomed the deal, saying the principles of a deal will be of significant benefit to all parts of Greater Lincolnshire, including the residents and businesses of North Kesteven.

He went on: “The ten councils and partners have worked collectively to develop a vision for Greater Lincolnshire for 2050, the priorities of which are closely aligned to our own strategic objectives within the NK Plan, promoting a flourishing future for all, backed by climate action, inclusive economic development and the health and wellbeing of communities.

“In taking advantages of the opportunities represented by these devolution arrangements, we will see investments in public transport; jobs, skills and access to employment; income and financial security; and, importantly for North Kesteven in particular, transition to net zero and improvements for water management.

“From what we have already seen of the proposals, there is a welcome clarity in the nature of a combined authority to oversee the strategic direction and allocation of an initial £28m, a further £24m in additional investment each year over a 30-year period, and other initiatives geared towards adult education, skills and economic growth.

“Our own council members will get the opportunity to reflect on the deal at Full Council on December 14, exploring the next steps and opportunities. It will create an opportunity for the Full Council to reflect upon the benefits the deal represents for North Kesteven, for Lincolnshire, and for the wider sub-region and express an enthusiasm for working with everyone to take the plan forward.”

However Richard Cleaver, Anne Dorrian, and Trevor Young, the Leaders off South Kesteven District Council, Boston Borough Council, and West Lindsey District Council respectively, have express concern over lack of transparency in the deal.

In a joint statement, the Leaders said: “While we acknowledge that some limited consultation has taken place with District Council Leaders over the past months, we regret that we have not been able to consider nor offer comment to government Ministers on this full draft before the announcement was made today.

“It already feels as though Devolution is being done to us rather than being done with and for us.

"We are strongly committed to democratic principles and will ensure that our councils will publicly debate the proposed Devolution deal as soon as possible after it has been published.”

Residents will have a say on this deal as a consultation across Greater Lincolnshire is likely to run this December and January before a potential deal is submitted to Government.