Devolution deal gets go-ahead
A devolution deal for Greater Lincolnshire will go forward, following successful meetings between local authority leaders and the new Labour government.
The three lead authorities – North East and North Lincolnshire unitary councils, and Lincolnshire County Council - will to form the Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority with a mayoral election scheduled for May 2025.
The deal recognises the area’s importance for agriculture, fisheries and renewable energy and will release £720m over the next 30 years for investment in jobs and skills, housing and highways, transport, the environment and nature, net zero, digital improvements, and innovation and trade.
Leader of Lincolnshire County Council, Cllr Martin Hill OBE, said: “This is great news and I’m pleased we are able to move forward with devolution to deliver growth in Greater Lincolnshire. We have always been clear that strengthening local decision-making with the needs and wants of our communities in mind, will give the best results for residents and businesses.”
There had been fears that the devolution deal would impact the second tier of local government, but in negotiations with the previous government the seven district authorities, including City of Lincoln Council, had argued they were best placed to represent their residents. They do not lose any powers under the new deal, but will work with the new authority, primarily in areas of transport and housing.
Lincoln MP Hamish Falconer has also been keeping an eye on the devolution process and described the impact of the deal on Lincoln’s governance as ‘mild’ but wants to ensure Lincoln’s importance to the new region is recognised.
“I believe in devolution as a principle and I didn’t want Lincoln to lose out relatively by not moving forward with a deal to get money locally,” said Hamish pointing to Lincoln’s status as the oldest continuous constituency of the UK Parliament – first established in 1265.
“I don’t want to sound too cheesy or parochial about this. I am so proud, honestly proud, that I represent Lincoln, the oldest constituency, Lincoln is an ancient political entity with a strong sense of local identity. People in Lincoln think about Lincoln. The City of Lincoln Council has existed for an incredibly long time and there is no suggestion in the current deal it is going anywhere.
“Lincoln’s the biggest urban area in Lincolnshire. It is by far the driver of the greatest productivity. It’s the only place getting younger. It has two universities. It’s the centre of Greater Lincolnshire’s defence industry so, in Westminster, I am repeatedly making the point that Lincoln is a historic entity. and in any governance arrangement in which we are part, we need to have a proper voice.”
Picture shows Cllr Martin Hill (right) with the leaders of North- East and North Lincolnshire Council Cllr Philip Jackson (centre) and Cllr Rob Waltham respectively.