Splitting North Hykeham and Lincoln in boundary shake-up ‘doesn’t make sense’

A councillor has warned that splitting two neighbouring places into separate councils as political maps are redrawn doesn’t make sense for residents.

North Hykeham is seen by many as an extension of the City of Lincoln, but is governed by North Kesteven District Council.

However, both are currently governed by Lincolnshire County Council at county level.

Devolution proposals for the council shake-up – which will take effect from around 2028 – could see North Hykeham become part of a Greater Lincoln council.

However, other plans would see it folded into a southern Lincolnshire partnership stretching as far as Rutland, or become part of a county-wide council.

Some North Hykeham residents say they want to keep their distinct identity, while others see benefits of joining together with Lincoln.

Coun Matt Lofts (Lab), who represents the town on North Kesteven District Council, has urged for an end to the council boundary separating the two locations.

“Almost everyone in North Hykeham has some connection with Lincoln, whether it’s work, schools or business,” he said.

“Separating them doesn’t make sense from an economic, political or geographic view.

“North Hykeham is already 22 miles from Sleaford, and the council can be a bit Sleaford-centric. We don’t want the centre of power to move even further away.

“People have even less connections with Sleaford, Stamford or the Deepings.

“Councillors say they feel like turkeys voting for Christmas when talking about the changes – let’s find a good option to vote for which makes sense for residents.”

All councils have sent their initial proposals off to the Government, who will make the final decision at a later date.

At the Forum shopping centre, a few yards from the dividing border between Lincoln and North Hykeham, residents were split over whether they’d like to be placed under the same council.

Bill Heird said: “North Hykeham is separate from Lincoln, in my opinion. The city is a great, happy place but so is North Hykeham – there’s no need for them together necessarily.

“I’ve lived in both, and they each have their separate heritages.”

A woman, who has lived in the area for 36 years, said: “I definitely think North Hykeham ought to be part of whatever group Lincoln is in.

“We don’t have anything to do with Spalding, Bourne or these other places that we could be thrown together with.

“We pay North Kesteven rates but use Lincoln an awful lot.”

Another local resident said: “North Hykeham has already got everything people need – I only pop into Lincoln once a month.”

The new unitary authorities will take on the roles of both the district and county councils, in a bid to simplify local government and save money.