Lincolnshire devolution bid delayed after government decides counties to go forward

The reshaping of how council tax-funded services are run across Lincolnshire has been put back after the Government chose three other counties to work with on reforms.

An offer to take on more services from central to regional governments, possibly leading to a reduction in the number of councils across the county , had been made to government ministers in March.

But county leaders were told last week that Cumbria, North Yorkshire and Somerset were all ahead of Lincolnshire in the queue for so-called devolution as part of the Government's plans for "levelling up all areas of the country".

Coun Martin Hill, leader of Lincolnshire County Council, who has been working with North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire councils on a devolution deal, said: "We're disappointed not to get into the first wave of devolution bids.

"But we've been encouraged by the Department for Communities, Housing and Local Government to keep going so, obviously, we'll regroup and what's the next best thing to do.

"Luke Hall (Minister for Local Government) is clearly interested in proceeding with us and we'll just have to keep plugging away.

"In his letter, the Minister said there were capacity issues in his department, which is being distracted by COVID-19.

"But he also said that our case was a little bit more complicated because the others that have gone through have single county boundaries.

"Ours is Lincolnshire, North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire, as well as the police."

The Government is due to publish its plans for local government reform in a "Devolution and Recovery" White Paper before the end of the year.

Coun Gary Porter, leader of South Holland District Council, said: "On one level, it was the right call not to go ahead at this stage because we clearly need to be focused on our response to COVID-19.

"But on the other level, it's a conversation that can't be put off forever and not being able to agree it this time is a blow for Lincolnshire."

A Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government spokesman said: "Invitations are being issued to councils in Cumbria, North Yorkshire and Somerset as these three areas are advanced in their discussions about local government restructuring and have asked the Local Government Secretary to invite them to submit proposals.

"There are other areas where councils have been discussing ideas about unitary reform, however, the pandemic has rightly necessitated resources across Whitehall and in local government being reallocated to tackling COVID-19 and on economic recovery.

"This must be Whitehall’s, and the town halls’ number one priority at present.

"However, we remain committed to levelling up all areas of the country and empowering our regions by devolving money, resources and control away from Westminster.

"We will set out our detailed plans in the Devolution and Local Recovery White Paper."