Leader blasts councils' secrecy over shake-up
The leader of West Lindsey District Council claims that they have been unable to plan for the future because other authorities aren’t sharing information.
Lincolnshire’s ten authorities will be dissolved over the next few years and replaced with a smaller number of unitary councils that will deliver all services.
Councils have been asked to put forward bids by the government, but West Lindsey has voted to abstain, describing it as an “impossible situation”.
Conservative Councillor Jackie Brockway, who leads the cross-party administration, told a full council meeting: “It’s impossible when districts are not sharing information to say which bid we prefer.
“If they haven’t given us information, that’s their problem rather than ours.”
The council will instead write to the government to outline its principles for managing the area in the future.
The authority had invited all local councils to discussions, but only one has responded so far.
Councillor Trevor Young, leader of the Liberal Democrat opposition group, agreed: “We’re being asked to make a decision, yet we don’t know the details. It’s an impossible situation.
“We don’t know who we’re getting into bed with and what the financial implications will be. It’s wrong to make a decision.”
Conservative Councillor Roger Patterson described the situation as “a disaster waiting to happen.”
He added: “Hopefully the government will realise and reverse course. Until then, we need to sit back and talk.”
Independent Councillor Jeanette McGhee said: “The process hasn’t worked, there’s been no collaboration or sharing.
“What the government hoped for hasn’t worked, so we can’t hitch ourselves to any of the proposals.”
Liberal Democrat Councillor Leslie Rollings said officers had been “banging their heads against a brick wall” trying to get other councils to talk.
Conservative Councillor Tom Smith was one of the few voices calling for a decision, saying: “There is a serious risk the government will do something to us, unless we pre-empt it.”
West Lindsey’s position has been complicated as its closest partners are backing alternative options.
The city of Lincoln is looking to expand its own borders, while its neighbour, North Kesteven, is hoping to ally with the southern councils instead.
Lincolnshire County Council has backed plans for a new unitary authority, which would take the same shape as itself.