South Kesteven District Council sets aside £50,000 for research into devolution of local government in Lincolnshire

The cabinet of South Kesteven District Council (SKDC) has agreed to put aside £50,000 to pay for a study into the best way to reorganise local government in Lincolnshire.

Lincolnshire County Council wants to create a single ‘unitary authority’ for the entire county, serving 1.1 million people.

But the two existing unitary authorities - North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire - are pushing for the county to be split into two councils representing north and south.

The seven district councils in the county are undecided and have joined forces to look into what would be best for all residents.

The cash - initially £15,000 from each of the seven - will be paid to PA Consulting and De Montford University so they can investigate which model of local government would be best for local people. This would include keeping the current system.

It comes as the Government prepares to release its plan for ‘Devolution and Local Recovery’ this autumn, aimed at giving authorities more powers and financial freedom.

Leader of SKDC, Coun Kelham Cooke (Con), said at the cabinet meeting on Tuesday (August 18) that the timetable put forward by the county council was too tight.

He believes any decision should be delayed until 2023 when the seven district councils and two unitary authorities are up for election anyway.

This would allow adequate research and consultation to be carried out.

Recommending the release of £50,000 for the study, Coun Cooke said: “This is about the very future of those who live and work in our district and the wider county.

“There are already a couple of proposals on the table from Lincolnshire County Council and North Lincolnshire Council and North East Lincolnshire Council. We want to be actively involved in these conversations, but we are not convinced that they are the right way forward.

“The logical way forward is to have an evidence-based solution, and for that we need objective research and a robust business case. This money will provide that.”

Coun Cooke said he wanted SKDC to play an active part in all discussions, but would be “saddened” to see its demise having served on the council for 10 years.

Coun Robert Reid (Con), cabinet member for housing and planning, said the council needed to make sure any move was in the best interests of the district’s residents.

“We need to ensure our family silver isn’t taken from us and lost in outer space!” he told cabinet colleagues.