Decision to scrap Lincolnshire's councils to be reviewed

Plans to reorganise the county’s seven councils into two much larger authorities were confirmed last month, with one covering the wider Lincoln area and the other governing the rest of Lincolnshire.

The government says it will streamline public services and deliver better value for the taxpayer.

However, there have been widespread complaints from leaders who claim the chosen map is nonsensical and unworkable.

Secretary of State for Local Government Angela Rayner has confirmed that Lincolnshire is on the list of 14 areas that will be part of an internal review after seeking further legal advice.

The decision to leave the unitary authorities of North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire unchanged will also be part of the review.

East Midlands neighbours Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire will also be reviewed.

The government has confirmed that local elections in May 2027 will go ahead on existing council boundaries.

Communities Secretary Angela Rayner is expected to tell MPs in the House of Commons: “As we are now more determined than ever to devolve power closer to the people we represent, it’s only right that as a new Secretary of State I make sure that everything we do is working towards that plan to change Britain, without delay.

“The Prime Minister told the House last week he was ‘prepared to look at local government reorganisation’ and he asked me as his Communities Secretary to ‘do that’. In that context, 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.”

Lincolnshire County Council leaders sent a pre-action letter to the government recently, asking for questions on how the decision had been made.

Other council leaders, including South Kesteven, had raised the idea of a judicial review to challenge the outcome legally.

Councils in Essex, Hampshire, Norfolk and Suffolk had also been seeking judicial reviews and those decisions have been withdrawn following legal advice, South Kesteven District Council had also sought judicial review.

Councils have already spent thousands of pounds on reorganisation proposals, as well as casting doubts on the futures of scores of employees. Coun Sean Matthews, leader of Lincolnshire County Council, said: "I’m very pleased that the government has put the brakes on their plans for local government reorganisation, and it shows that we were right to challenge them about the process.

"Angela Rayner set out the initial criteria for new councils, and seemingly they were ignored by her successor. Now she's back as Secretary of State, I'm glad she's reviewing those decisions.

"I'm not against the idea of reorganising local government, but it needs to be done right, and local opinion properly taken into account.

"I would now like some clarity from the government about how long this pause might last and what is next for reorganisation in Lincolnshire."