Claims that huge change for Lincolnshire's roads and buses has been 'rushed through'
Opposition county councillors claim that handing control of transport to the mayoral authority will leave Lincolnshire £3 million worse off per year and lacking control.
Lincolnshire County Council has been in charge of its own transport funding and strategy, but these are set to pass to the mayor’s office from April 1 as part of the devolution agreement.
The agreement will see five per cent of the council’s Local Transport Grant for the next financial year diverted to the mayor in a bid to improve the county’s connections.
The devolution agreement was signed off by the councils for Lincolnshire, North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire, with the first mayor Andrea Jenkyns elected last year.
The authorities will continue to deliver services on behalf of the Greater Lincolnshire Combined Council Authority.
Opposition councillors said they had grave concerns about the hand-off in a highways committee held just days before the deadline.
Councillor Richard Davies, leader of the Conservative group, said: “This change is one of the biggest to transport in Lincolnshire, yet it’s been rushed through with barely any scrutiny.
“This represents a £3million cut in transport spending in Lincolnshire. A huge amount is being sliced off, and it’s not clear where it’s going to end up.
“We’ve been excluded. The county council has no real role except to carry risk and liability, and bear the brunt of the cost.”
Officers said the agreement was the only way the council could legally continue to carry out its transport work after April 1.
Reform Mayor Andrea Jenkyns has said she wants to see investment in key roads, more frequent and affordable buses, and better rail connections to London and the Midlands.
Liberal Democrat Councillor Martin Christopher told the meeting he was concerned the agreement could be “weaponised”.
“How does this protect Lincolnshire taxpayers from being forced to fund operational failures during political stalemate?” he asked.
“At the moment, the council and the mayor are from the same party, but that could change, and could be used to hinder progress. It puts the public purse at risk.”
Reform Councillor Tom Sneath criticised the “last-minute” way it was being brought to the committee, just two days before it would come into effect.
Officers said this had been due to legal discussions going right down to the wire.
The agreement is set to be signed off by Councillor David East, the authority’s executive for highways.