‘Dictatorship not democracy’ is verdict of Spalding councillor over proposal for two unitary authorities in Lincolnshire

Fears of a ‘loss of local accountability’ have been raised if the county ends up with just two unitary councils left as part of a major local government shake-up.

Lincolnshire County Council leader Martin Hill had sent an ‘expression of interest’ in delaying May’s elections - despite days of denials - and hoped that the preferred proposal to create two unitary authorities for Greater Lincolnshire would gain support.

This move has been slammed by the Leader of South Holland Independents Coun Rob Gibson as a ‘dictatorship and not democracy’ but leader of South Holland District Council leader Nick Worth says the area will have a say in the future.

Last month, a white paper proposing the biggest reorganisation of local government in 50 years was published which outlined plans to replace county and district councils with unitary authorities.

Coun Gibson, who also represents Spalding on the county council, said of the two unitary proposal: “As far as I'm aware South Holland District Council (the whole council) has had no conversation around this.

“I know the Conservative leaders have been discussing it but surely they would want to involve the whole council before making decisions between two or three people? Otherwise that points to a dictatorship and not democracy.

“If it was a choice between one unitary for the whole of greater Lincolnshire or two, I would obviously go for two. Unfortunately, the Government's white paper leaves very little wriggle room, the numbers must be in the region of 500,000 each. We can only achieve this by having two Unitary authorities.

“In my opinion that takes away all local accountability and puts it far away, we just don't know how far, Sleaford? Lincoln?

“We will be left with no choice but to have two unitary councils and a mayor. The mayor will hold all the power and money and more than likely will be based in Lincoln.

“All the large projects and funding will end up in Lincoln with our Spalding Western Relief Road funds. If we thought Spalding had been forgotten by the Conservatives for the last 14 years, just wait for the next 14.”

Leader of South Holland District Council, Coun Nick Worth says further clarification on the changes to local government are due to be released this week.

He said: “I think it is premature to say until we have had the definitive letter from the Sec of State with the detail around population figures and whether you can cross county or district boundaries. We should know that sometime next week.

“The letter will go to all district and county leaders to submit proposals but there is an expectation of collaboration, so we will have a say.”

The Government - which believes that changes to councils could save £2billion - has formally signed off on the on the devolution deal for Greater Lincolnshire in September, which is expected to bring £24 million per year to the region. As part of the agreement, a combined county authority is being established, which would include a new mayor at the helm.