District and county councils are set to be abolished and South Holland will become part of a huge new Lincolnshire Unitary authority after the government unveiled its plans for the county.
The Local Government Review is creating one council to take on all of the jobs currently shared out between South Holland District Council and Lincolnshire County Council in a bid to reduce costs and duplication.
Authorities all made bids as to what they thought the new councils should look like.
Last week the government backed the City Of Lincoln Council bid which will see its own boundaries extended and North Lincolnshire Council and North East Lincolnshire Council remain as they are.
South Holland will be swallowed by the huge new authority.
The change is planned to come in by April 2028 but is subject to legislation being passed.
SHDC leader Coun Nick Worth said the authority was still waiting on final details but the new authority was proposed to have 100 councillors.
By comparison Lincolnshire County Council has 70 (nine in South Holland) and South Holland District Council 37.
SHDC has, for the last few years been part of the South and East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership with Boston and East Lindsey councils and this was part of its bid to be a unitary alongside North and South Kesteven.
“It’s disappointing that our proposal wasn’t chosen but pretty much most of what we put forward has been proposed,” Coun Worth said. “It’s just that bit around Gasinborough that’s different.
“I think we’ve now got to go with it and work together to make it as smooth a transition for the public as possible.
“A key part for me is getting some neighbourhood community committees together as it’s going to be quite challenging to keep that locality.
“There’s 100 councillors proposed which is not a lot for such a big area.
“Councillors are going to have a lot of work covering quite big wards.”
Lincolnshire County Council’s bid would have effectively seen it take on the roles of the district council.
However, parts of North Kesteven and West Lindsey it currently covers will come under the City of Lincoln.
Coun Sean Matthews, leader of Lincolnshire County Council, said: “The government has made a decision on what they think the best model is for Greater Lincolnshire.
“This will be a significant change and a long-term piece of work to implement, working with all councils to get the best outcomes for residents.
“However, I’d like to reassure our communities that in the meantime, whether it’s road repairs, caring for vulnerable children and adults, protecting communities in emergencies – maintaining the important services residents rely on will continue to be our priority.”
All of the authorities involved stated it would be business as usual for residents.
