Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner says new devolution deal can ‘unleash the fantastic potential’ of Greater Lincolnshire

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has described the devolution deal for Greater Lincolnshire as "another milestone" in the region taking back control of its affairs.

On Tuesday (November 26), a Statutory Instrument was laid to formally create the Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority, through which an elected mayor will serve as a direct link to Westminster.

The devolution deal, set to bring an additional £24 million per year investment fund to Greater Lincolnshire, was officially signed off by central government in September after being placed on hold due to the July General Election. It will mark the biggest change to the political scene in Lincolnshire since the 1970s.

Local leaders insist that the deal will strengthen local decision-making, and that having a new combined authority will provide the ability to liaise with the government about what is best for Lincolnshire residents, helping to achieve ambitious plans more quickly. Critics, however, fear the new mayor and combined authority that this deal will establish could be a waste of money and may mean towns in the south of the county miss out to larger places further north.

Lincolnshire County Council, North Lincolnshire Council, and North East Lincolnshire Council will serve as constituent members on the new combined authority, each having three representatives on the board.

Lincolnshire's seven district councils will hold non-constituent status, collectively sharing four seats on the authority.

Following the Statutory Instrument being laid for the new authority, Mrs Rayner stated: “This is another milestone in our ambition for Greater Lincolnshire to take back control and unleash the fantastic potential of this region.

“I look forward to working hand-in-hand with local leaders as we work to transfer more power out of Westminster and back into our communities, including through the upcoming English Devolution White Paper.”

In a joint statement welcoming this latest news, authority leaders, Coun Martin Hill (Lincolnshire), Coun Philip Jackson (North East Lincolnshire), and Coun Rob Waltham (North Lincolnshire), said: “As we move into this final Parliamentary process, we look forward to the new year and a 2025 that brings with it a new dawn for us all here in Greater Lincolnshire.

“The Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority will give local decision makers the chance to shape our area’s future – building a stronger and more prosperous region for generations to come. With this will come better lifestyles of residents and wider opportunities for businesses.”

In the past week, Jason Stockwood, vice-chairman of Grimsby Town Football Club, has been announced as Labour's candidate for the mayoral election to be held next May.

The Conservatives have narrowed their choices down to six contenders, including North Lincolnshire Council leader Rob Waltham and Police & Crime Commissioner Marc Jones.

The Reform UK candidate is expected to be announced later this week.

What do you think? Will devolution be good for Lincolnshire? Let us know in the comments below…