Minister for Local Government, Devolution and Growth, Jim McMahon, announced on Thursday that decisions for 15 areas, including Lincolnshire, were being reconsidered. This move allows more time to ensure Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) is implemented correctly for areas like South Kesteven and Greater Lincolnshire.
Cllr Paul Stokes, Deputy Leader of South Kesteven District Council (SKDC), welcomed the decision, stating that the council has significant concerns about the original proposals announced in July. These concerns primarily relate to changes in existing council boundaries and the potential population imbalance between the two newly proposed unitary councils.
SKDC indicated they would continue to explore legal options following this development, while maintaining their focus on delivering essential day-to-day services. The LGR timescale has been extended by a year, with district council elections now scheduled for May 2027, followed by elections for a new Shadow Authority in May 2028, and the new unitary council expected to be established in April 2029.
This review follows similar withdrawals for Essex, Hampshire, Norfolk, and Suffolk in September, which were paused on legal advice. SKDC had previously submitted a Pre-Action Protocol Letter to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, outlining grounds for a Judicial Review of the Government's decision.
The initial government proposal, announced in July, suggested that council services for Lincolnshire would be delivered by two new unitary authorities: Lincoln Council (covering the city and parts of North Kesteven and West Lindsey) and Lincolnshire Council (covering the remainder of North Kesteven and West Lindsey, plus the county's other four districts). Services currently provided by Lincolnshire County Council would be transferred to these new entities. Lincoln Council would serve approximately 207,000 people, while Lincolnshire Council would serve around 580,000. North and North East Lincolnshire councils would remain unchanged.
