Leaders label Lincolnshire council shake-up ‘horrific waste of money’ after government u-turn
Answers are being demanded over how much has been spent on a major Lincolnshire council shake-up after the government paused it.
Lincolnshire’s seven authorities were due to be replaced with two much larger ones, which Sir Keir Starmer’s Government claimed would have made public services better and more efficient.
However it was suddenly announced on Monday, September 7, that all work on the change should be stopped while an internal review is carried out.
Several Lincolnshire council leaders had threatened legal action over the chosen bid, which would have created an expanded Lincoln and a separate Lincolnshire council.
The news that the process would be put on hold was greeted with delight at West Lindsey’s full council meeting, where many had opposed the process from the start.
Coun Tom Smith described the entire initiative as a “horrific waste of public money”.
He said: “We know the government’s only stopped it because they’re staring down the barrel of eight judicial reviews at once.”
Others complained about how much time had been spent putting together proposals at the government’s request, only for it to be put on hold.
Coun Matt Boles said it had been a “car crash” from the start, and said: “I would be very keen to understand the cost to the authority in terms of monetary and staffing.”
Many expressed concern for council staff whose livelihoods were uncertain.
Coun Roger Patterson said: “They’ve already been facing an uncertain future, and today’s not helped at all.
“I hope the government withdraws the plans. Council staff need clarity – people’s futures are at stake.”
Deputy leader Coun Moira Westley said: “It never felt it was made in the best interest of Lincolnshire – it was purely a political decision.”
The 2027 local elections – which would have used the new council maps – will instead use the current ones.
The City of Lincoln Council, the main supporter of the chosen bid, has been contacted for comment about the decision.
Secretary of State for Local Government Angela Rayner told the House of Commons: “In light of legal advice, I want to satisfy myself firstly that the right process is in place, that it is robust, and of course complies with the law.
“And, secondly, I want to fully test whether our proposals for local government reorganisation meet the priorities of a new administration and a new Prime Minister, and any additional considerations.
“I do not take this lightly. I recognise the huge amount of work that has already gone into progressing reorganisation in each of these areas, and I am very grateful for it.”