South Kesteven District Council’s Cabinet has approved the allocation of £50,000 to support the development of an evidence-based business case for local government reorganisation in Lincolnshire that best serves the needs of residents.
All seven district councils in the county are working together on the best way forward for local government in the county ahead of the Government’s White Paper on Recovery and Devolution due to be published in the autumn.
Leader of South Kesteven District Council, Cllr Kelham 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.”
Lincolnshire County Council is advocating one unitary authority for the whole of Greater Lincolnshire, which would have a population of approximately 1.1 million people
North and North East Lincolnshire councils are proposing two new unitary areas – North and South Lincolnshire with equal population areas.
Cllr Cooke added that he supported the Government’s direction of travel, but speed and destination were vital to help communities recover from Covid-19 and build back better. He said he wanted South Kesteven to play an active and positive part in all discussions.
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