Leader of Lincolnshire County Council councillor Martin Hill writes about political changes in 2024
It has been a politically momentous year for politics, writes Councillor Martin Hill, leader of Lincolnshire County Council.
It has been a politically momentous year with a Labour government elected with a huge majority, the creation of a Mayoral Combined Authority for Greater Lincolnshire and now the potential demise of district and county councils to be replaced with a single unitary authority in each area.
The new government has made some big announcements, many of which we believe will be to the detriment of counties such as Lincolnshire. For example, massive solar farms, the huge number of pylons that could be erected through our county and on-shore wind turbines – all of which we are expected to accept.
The increases in employer national insurance, changes to inheritance tax relief and other imposed costs will have a devastating impact on many small and medium sized farms and other businesses which will threaten the survival of many.
The council will also face additional costs of approximately £20 million due to the budget changes in addition to cost pressures of some £40 million. We will also lose £9.4 million from the removal of a rural grant and although the government has said that it will make up the shortfall, we are very concerned that they will not be able to manage that.
Recently, I attended a rally in Melton Mowbray where it was moving to hear many personal stories from people young and old about their genuine fears for the future.
Following a debate last week the council has asked me to write to the chancellor about the culminative effect of all the changes and ask for a rethink.
Steps are now well under way for the creation of the new Combined Lincolnshire Authority in March with the election of a mayor on May 1.
As well as bringing extra cash of £750 million to the county, working with a range of partners will enable much greater influence over skills training, national infrastructure and investment which is currently decided in Whitehall. This will be a great opportunity to improve the lives of residents and business.
It now appears that in future there will be a single council to represent local people instead of the current two. It will represent a big change which I personally think should be welcomed.
This system is now in place in most of England and does bring greater efficiencies and savings as well as being much easier for everyone to access and understand. It also means that reforms and improvements are much easier to deliver with a more simple governance structure.
