Agenda item

Members considered a report which provided an update on the latest position regarding progress with plans for Local Government Reorganisation (LGR), including details of the proposals for LGR that had been developed for Greater Lincolnshire, for submission to Government by the deadline of 28 November 2025, the options available to Members in response to the Minister’s statutory invitation of 5February 2025 to submit proposals for LGR, and the next steps and timeline in connection with LGR.

In presenting the report the Chief Executive highlighted the previous decisions taken by Council at its meetings in July and September 2025.  The options which had been available to the Council and the rationale for the recommended position was brought to Members’ attention.

Members were reminded that there would be opportunity to submit representations in response to any future statutory consultation which would be undertaken by the Government and the Council would be able to express its views then.  It was further recommended at this stage that the Council wrote to the Government advising why they had been unable to support proposals developed but of their commitment to work towards local reorganisation as necessary for the benefit of residents and businesses in the district.

Debate ensued and the opening speaker was of the personal view that there was a risk in not supporting any proposal and would have preferred that the Council moved a motion to formally support one of the proposals, suggesting this increased the likelihood of the Government imposing something on the District that would not benefit its residents, supporting a single proposal was a more pre-emptive approach in his view.

In responding to opening comments, the Leader of the Council outlined why she disagreed and why the recommended stance was the most sensible in her view.  In doing so she referenced the letter from Government Minister Jim McMahon, 5 February 2025. It had been made clear all proposals must have regard to the entire area, as such she considered West Lindsey’s stance more pragmatic.

The Leader of the Opposition was supportive of the Leader’s stance.  Members were being asked to make a decision on behalf of the residents without knowing any detail, making it both impossible, and risky.  It was important to understand the financial standing of the other authorities, as such he was fully supportive of not formally supporting any proposal.

Many speakers shared the same view, questioning the rationale for LGR, the costs incurred, and the benefit to the community.  Many had concerns around the entire process, particularly given that West Lindsey had a proven track record, and a balanced budget.  The recent Surrey merger had required a £500m public bailout, there had been no evidence of savings so far in the Chamber’s view. District Council’s delivered for communities and their loss would be to the detriment of local communities.

There were also concerns raised about how mergers would affect Town and Parish Councils. The very grass roots of community representation, seemed to be overlooked, again this was something Members felt was a very important consideration. for an area like Lincolnshire.

The majority view expressed across the Chamber, was that given the circumstances, the approach recommended was the most appropriate way to proceed.

A lone Member suggested there may be merit in the Lincoln City proposal, however there was no support across the Chamber, with Members citing real concerns about the approach, and referencing feedback from residents they had which was not positive.

In response to hypothetical questions, Officers advised it was impossible to predict the impact but Members were reminded a proposal had to demonstrate it had regard for the wider area.

Having been proposed and seconded, on being put to the vote it was

RESOLVED that: -

(a)    the matters in the report be noted;

(b)    having had regard to the options set out in the report, Council agree to  not express support for any of the proposals for LGR in Greater Lincolnshire that have been developed in the report but provide a written response to Government setting out the council’s position, and

(c)    the response to Government be drafted and approved by the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader of the Council based on the content of the report, and a copy of the response be sent to all Members of the Council, for information.