West Lindsey: Council discuss plans to explore devolution

The organisations have met to discuss plans to work together on issues currently managed on a national level, such as transport links, managing flood risk and health care.

Leader of West Lindsey District Council, Coun Jeff Summers, said: “I am pleased we’ve agreed this as a collective ambition and that all organisations involved have an equal role.

“We are also delighted to be working together with our local partners such as Lincolnshire Police and health.

“Our ambition is to provide improved facilities and services for the whole county, targeting the delivery of our resource locally.

“This will improve lives for communities as it seeks more funding and powers from central government.”

Manjeet Gill, West Lindsey District Council’s chief executive, said: “All chief executives have been working intensively on the expression of interest over the past two months.

“Initially this is an expression of interest and a lot more time and energy will be required to produce a bid and business case that is acceptable for government to consider.

“I would like to commend the collaborative spirit and enthusiasm my colleagues have displayed while working towards this expression for Greater Lincolnshire.”

West Lindsey District Coun Owen Bierley, chair of the prosperous communities committee, said: “By combining the whole of Lincolnshire’s Local Authority support, which includes other surrounding authorities, alongside the resources of other agencies such as police, health and EA, we will be able to achieve greater levels of success in providing the social and economic growth our county deserves. This submission reflects our long history and will be beneficial to West Lindsey.”