South Kesteven District Council sets aside £50,000 for study into devolution

The cabinet of South Kesteven District Council has agreed to put aside £50,000 to pay for a study into the best way to reorganise local government in Lincolnshire.

A number of local government models are being considered for the county by councils in Lincolnshire including a single unitary authority to include North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire.

All seven district councils in the county are working together on the best way forward for local government in the county ahead of the Government’s White Paper on Recovery and Devolution due to be published in the autumn.

Leader of South Kesteven District Council, Councillor Kelham Cooke, said: “This is about the very future of those who live and work in our district and the wider county.

"A number of options are being explored by all councils in Lincolnshire, and we hope to be actively involved in these conversations. The logical way forward is to have an evidence-based solution, and for that we need objective research and a robust business case. This money will provide that.”

Coun Cooke said he wanted SKDC to play an active part in all discussions, but would be “saddened” to see its demise having served on the council for 10 years.

Coun Robert Reid, cabinet member for housing and planning, said the council needed to make sure any move was in the best interests of the district’s residents.

“We need to ensure our family silver isn’t taken from us and lost in outer space!” he told cabinet colleagues.