Blueprint to reshape councils for Louth and Horncastle is formally submitted
The move to reshape and restructure the county’s local councils, including in Louth and Horncastle, has taken another step forward.
And officials behind the proposal insist it will improve public services if it is given the go-ahead by the government.
The blueprint, which has now been formally submitted, has been drawn up by the South and East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership, which is made up of East Lindsey District Council, covering Louth and Horncastle, Boston Borough Council and South Holland District Council.
The partnership’s ambitious plan for local government reform across the county is called ‘A Greater Lincolnshire For All’.
Under the reform, the existing system of ten local councils, which is considered to be “outdated, bureaucratic and confusing for residents”, would be scrapped.
Instead it would be replaced by the creation of just two councils – Southern Lincolnshire and Northern Lincolnshire – covering the entire county.
East Lindsey would be part of Southern Lincolnshire, which would also embrace Boston, South Holland, North Kesteven and South Kesteven, with a total population of 569,300.
Northern Lincolnshire would cover Lincoln, North Lincolnshire, North East Lincolnshire and West Lindsey, with a total population of 525,700.
The blueprint was pieced together after the government wrote to all councils in Greater Lincolnshire last February, inviting them to submit proposals for local government reorganisation.
Members of the public were then consulted and this showed that most residents favoured moving to a new system to end confusion, minimise duplication and make savings that could be reinvested in critical public services.
Coun Craig Leyland, leader of East Lindsey District Council, said: “This submission has been shaped by, and reflects, the views of the residents, communities, businesses and partners across Greater Lincolnshire after extensive engagement.
“Our proposal is the only one that ensures that local government in Greater Lincolnshire is the right size to achieve efficiencies, improve capacity and withstand financial shocks.
"It delivers the greatest financial benefits, with payback in year four and a ten-year saving figure of more than £220 million, which is £68 million to £173 million more than alternative options.
“Our proposal creates councils that are of the optimal size to drive efficiencies.”
Coun Dale Broughton, leader of Boston Borough Council, said: “We have now submitted the full business case for ‘A Greater Lincolnshire for All’.
“Our blueprint is simple and clear, and it delivers on what our residents want, namely better services, better value for money, resources directed to the front line, decisions made locally and an end to the confusion and bureaucracy of having ten councils.”
Coun Nick Worth, leader of South Holland District Council, warned of the risks of the other proposals. He said: “This is the only proposal that fully meets and delivers on the government’s criteria for local government reorganisation, including creating financially sustainable authorities for the whole of Greater Lincolnshire.
“Our proposal would also deliver significantly greater efficiencies and savings that can be reinvested back into frontline services.”
The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government is now expected to consult formally on the proposal in the next two or three months before making a decision on the preferred option later in the year.
Alternative schemes for reform have been drawn up by Lincoln City Council, which wants a city authority and a second, new body covering rural, coastal and market towns, and Lincolnshire County Council, which wants to combine all services under one authority.