Lincolnshire County Council Conservative group leader Martin Hill to step down from role

The long-standing leader of the Conservative group on Lincolnshire County Council is stepping down.

Coun Martin Hill retained his Folkingham Rural seat during last Thursday’s elections but lost a wave of his Tory colleagues as Reform UK swept across the county, and took overall control of the county council.

Coun Hill said in a statement today: “After 20 years as leader of the county council, I have felt for a while that it was an appropriate milestone to hand over to fresh hands.

“I am immensely proud of everything we have achieved in that time and would like to pass on my thanks to both the councillors and officers who have worked so hard during this period.

“It is gratifying to note that our services to the public are consistently good, our council tax remains one of the lowest for county councils, and we have had a very impressive building programme for new schools, roads, and fire stations.

“Compared to many of our contemporaries, we will be passing on an authority which is in very good shape and financially strong.”

He thanked constituents in his ward for re-electing him.

“I will take a keen interest in the developments at Lincoln and look forward to holding the new administration to account. However, I wish them well and hope that they are able to build on the strong legacy which they inherit,” said Coun Hill.

Coun Hill was awarded his OBE for services to Local Government in Lincolnshire and won the LGIU Council Leader of the Year Award in 2010.

It is not yet known who will be the next leader of the Conservative group.