South Holland District Council has held talks with neighbouring councils about forming a combined authority.
A proposal has been put forward for six councils to join together to create a “functioning economic area”, seeking to improve local transport, increase economic development and drive regeneration.
South Holland leader Gary Porter is one of the leading politicians behind the plan.
Peterborough would be at the geographical centre of the partnership. Expressing initial interest are Peterborough City Council, Fenland District Council (based in March), King’s Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council, Rutland County Council and South Kesteven District Council (based in Grantham).
Coun Porter – leader of the Local Government Association’s Conservative group – told Local Government Chronicle: “We’ve had talks among leaders and chief executives are working on ideas to go to a round table discussion after the elections, but I can’t say now who would be in and out.”
Boston Borough Council – although not touted as part of the arrangement – is cool on the idea.
Leader Peter Bedford said: “Boston hopes to end up in whatever arrangement the [Lincolnshire] county council does.”
South Holland District Council is a member of the Greater Lincolnshire LEP. Last month it voted to also join the Greater Cambridgeshire Greater Peterborough Local Enterprise Partnership.
The council is in a shared management arrangement with Breckland Council and has previously sought to include Great Yarmouth.
