Spalding councillor Rob Gibson questions South Holland’s representation on the new combined authority
An opposition leader has questioned whether a devolution deal for Lincolnshire will bring more money to the county.
Coun Rob Gibson, who leads South Holland Independents Group on South Holland District Council, feels that deal is being ‘pushed’ onto people and has expressed concerns about representation on the new combined authority, which will be headed by a mayor.
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced in last week’s Autumn statement that Lincolnshire will be getting a devolution deal which will see the county get an elected mayor along with £24million a year for the next 30 years.
Lincolnshire County Council and the two unitary authorities in north and north east Lincolnshire will be ratifying the deal in their meetings in the next few weeks before a public consultation on the plans takes place in the new year.
Concerns have also expressed about the level of representation on the combined authority with the upper tier councils – Lincolnshire, North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire – holding all the power.
The county’s seven district councils – which will continue to operate and provide local services – will be able to nominate four ‘non constituent’ members onto the new combined authority – but they would not be granted voting rights.
“It’s being pushed through. The districts don’t get a vote, they get no veto, so they can’t stop it so it’s going to get forced upon us. The districts get little say in anything” said Coun Gibson.
“The county council and the two unitaries are going to have two votes each, I believe whereas the seven districts only have four votes between them, so going forward they’ll be pretty much telling us what’s going on.
“And it’s only £24 million. They’ve cut the highways budget by £12 million, so is it £24 million or is it £12 million? It seems very smoke and mirrors to me.”
Coun Gibson has also expressed fears that South Holland is going to miss out due to the distance from the mayor – who is expected to be based in Lincoln.
He said: “The further away you are from the mayor the least you’re going to get, I believe. Certainly, they least they’ll listen to you.
“The mayor’s going to be based in Lincoln, I’m guessing, it’s certainly not going to be in South Holland.
“I’m in county all the time shouting to try to get South Holland on the agenda and in people’s thoughts, but we’re not even going to get a seat at the table to do that, which is disappointing.
“Also, the future… they’re not going to give us this and take nothing away. Local Government reorganisation is going to have to come up and if we lose the district council or whatever then we’re even further away (from being represented). That’s the worry.”
