‘There is no voice, no vote!’ Boston Borough Council leader doubles down on devolution doubts
A council leader has doubled down on their concerns about local government reorganisation, as Westminster prepares to publish its devolution white paper next week.
Boston Borough Council's Coun Anne Dorrian (Ind) raised fears that Labour is planning to abolish district councils, citing reports suggesting some ministers view the two-tier system as insufficient.
South Kesteven District Council leader Ashley Baxter (Ind) previously stated that he believed local government reorganisation was 'inevitable' following the Government’s approval of the devolution deal for Greater Lincolnshire.
The deal is set to bring an additional £24 million per year to the region and will establish a new combined authority with an elected mayor.
The devolution white paper, which has been delayed, will outline proposals for the future of local authorities.
"We all must keep an eye out for the Government white paper," said Coun Dorrian during an Overview and Scrutiny - Environment and Performance Committee meeting on Tuesday (December 10).
"There was a leak of sorts published in The Times, which seems to suggest that the Government is very much looking at local government reorganisation, and there is a concern and worry it might actually get rid of district councils.
"I'm not saying they will, I'm just saying that is what people are worried about. I think if the Government were to go down that path, it could potentially take representation away from local people."
The Independent leader also criticised the structure of the soon-to-be-created combined authority, which includes just four seats to be shared among seven district councils, who will also be classed as non-constituent members.
Upper-tier councils—Lincolnshire County Council, North Lincolnshire Council, and North East Lincolnshire Council—would act as constituent members on the combined authority, with three representatives each.
She added: "We don't have a voice. There are only four seats at the table for seven district councils. So, at any one time, three districts won't be represented at all.
"Of the four people who get a seat, and it's not been decided yet, they don't get a vote. So, there is no voice, no vote, and I think that is going to be one of the biggest challenges going forward."
Coun Alison Austin (Independent) acknowledged the issue of limited seats for district councils on the combined authority but insisted that Boston Borough Council's existing partnership with East Lindsey District Council and South Holland District Council would give the council greater lobbying power than it would have on its own.
She argued it would be 'up to us to influence those who have got a voice'.
However, Coun Dorrian disagreed, stating: "I think having a vote is really, really important. Your residents can come to you and lobby you to vote one way, but it’s entirely your gift to vote however you like.
"I’ve written to the government about various things to try to make changes, but I don’t have any say in Parliament, and the same goes for the mayoral combined authority. It’s only the upper tiers that get a vote.
"As things stand, they are not representative of the whole council. If the only people who have a vote are of the same political party, those who have a different political persuasion are disenfranchised."
Lincolnshire County Council, leader Coun Martin Hill (Con) said: “The devolution deal we’ve agreed with Government doesn’t include any local government reorganisation of existing councils.
"We’re expecting a devolution white paper from the Government next week which will outline their proposals for local authorities moving forward.
"When this comes out, we’ll work with our district council colleagues to understand what the implications are for Lincolnshire, continuing our focus on campaigning for a fairer government funding deal for councils across the whole county.”
