Greater Lincolnshire’s much-discussed devolution deal is “ready to go” — but on hold until after the general election.
Coun Martin Hill, leader of Lincolnshire County Council, said that approval was not given by central government in time — and will now have to wait until after the July 4 election.
The region has been working on a new combined mayoral authority for Greater Lincolnshire for years, which would see Lincolnshire County Council, North and North East Lincolnshire Councils come together under one directly elected mayor for the area.
The devolution deal was announced in Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s Autumn Statement last year, pledging a £24 million annual budget for the combined mayoral authority for three decades, with spending decisions made in conjunction with local councils.
Devolution would, in theory, transfer power and funds from central to local government and allow those elected to represent their given areas more control over decisions — but critics argue it is just an additional layer of bureaucracy within local government.
A round of consultation to ensure the deal was as locally-focused as possible took place, though the mere 0.365 per cent participation rate has raised eyebrows, casting doubt on the consultation’s effectiveness and validity.
A business case has since been presented to central government and it was hoped that this would be agreed at some point in 2024 — but a general election-shaped elephant has marched into the room.
With parliament dissolving ahead of the July 4 election, the handbrake has been slammed on a final decision on Greater Lincolnshire’s devolution deal.
Coun Hill said: “The devolution deal is ready to go but wasn’t able to be part of the government sweep up before dissolution, so it will be ready for the new minister when parliament reconvenes.”
It had been hoped a mayoral election will take place in May 2025 at the same time as the scheduled Lincolnshire County Council elections.
