A consultation into the reorganisation of councils in Lincolnshire has been launched today (Thursday, February 5).
The government is proposing to scrap the current two tier council system which in this area sees Lincolnshire County Council and South Holland District Council sharing duties.
Instead it wants to create unitary authorities which it says will save money.
The government says it has put four bids forward for reorganisation and is now seeking views from members of the public on the proposals.
The South and East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership, of which South Holland District Council is a member alongside Boston Borough Council and East Lindsey District Council is to create two unitary authorities:
- Northern Lincolnshire: Lincoln, North-East Lincolnshire, North Lincolnshire and West Lindsay
- Southern Lincolnshire: Boston, East Lindsey, South Holland, North Kesteven and South Kesteven
The City of Lincoln Council has proposed four unitary councils. These would comprise the current areas of:
- Lincoln City: Lincoln, plus 12 wards from North Kesteven and seven wards from West Lindsey
- Rural Lincolnshire: Boston, East Lindsey, South Kesteven, South Holland, plus North Kesteven minus 12 wards and West Lindsey minus seven wards
- North East Lincolnshire to remain unchanged
- North Lincolnshire to remain unchanged
Lincolnshire County Council has proposed three unitary councils so it would effectively just take over the running of the current district councils. These would comprise the current areas of:
- North East Lincolnshire to remain unchanged
- North Lincolnshire to remain unchanged
- Lincolnshire: Boston, City of Lincoln, East Lindsey, North Kesteven, South Holland, South Kesteven, and West Lindsey
North Kesteven District Council and South Kesteven District Council has proposed four unitary councils. These would comprise the current areas of:
- Unitary Authority 1: North Kesteven, South Holland, South Kesteven
- Unitary Authority 2: Boston, City of Lincoln, East Lindsey, West Lindsey
- North East Lincolnshire to remain unchanged
- North Lincolnshire to remain unchanged
Details of the consultation, including how to have your say, are here.
The consultation runs until March 26, 2025.
Minister of state for local government and homelessness, Alison McGovern said: “Unitary councils provide clarity for residents and are more effective.
“That’s why we’re carrying out the biggest change to local government in a generation, and I would encourage local people and businesses to share their views in shaping the future of their area.”
