Lincolnshire’s upper-tier councils are to press for a devolution deal including an elected mayor.
North East Lincolnshire has voted to join fellow unitary North Lincolnshire and the county council in backing draft proposals and enter negotiations with the Government ‘at the earliest opportunity’.
The three would form a Greater Lincolnshire county combined authority under a directly-elected mayor from 2025.
Among the key asks are a fully devolved adult education budget, a multi-year transport infrastructure settlement and the powers to form mayoral development corporations.
The councils also want ‘local leadership’ for rail services, and funding and powers to deliver a ‘Greater Lincolnshire bus service’.
Labour opposition groups on the three councils voted against pursuing a devolution deal, however, and misgivings have been voiced by some of the seven district councils over not having a place in the combined authority.
Earlier this year, the leader of South Holland DC Lord Porter suggested districts might be more likely to favour unitary status so they could better benefit from devolution.
This article was originally published by The MJ (£).
