Greater Lincolnshire to get new mayor as Government signs off devolution agreement
The Government has signed off an agreement for a Greater Lincolnshire mayor as part of a devolution deal described by council leaders as the 'best possible news'. The deal includes a combined mayoral authority for Lincolnshire, North East Lincolnshire and North Lincolnshire, seeing an extra £24m given annually to the region for the next 30 years.
It aims to give more power to local leaders who can make decisions in areas such as transport, adult education, and housing, boosting economic growth and opportunity. A new Greater Lincolnshire mayor will be elected in May 2025.
There is also an initial capital funding pot of £28m, of which £20m is allocated to projects in the Lincolnshire County Council area. It will be spent on:
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Roundabout works at Nettleham and streetworks in Grantham
Flood prevention works
Work to Old Roman Bank at Sandilands
A grant programme within the UK Food Valley business grant programme
A grant to Sleaford Moor Business Park for the next phase of this low carbon business park
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said: "From day one we have been focused on rebalancing the power between Westminster and our communities, and that’s why today we’re pushing ahead with an agreement to give greater power to everyone in Greater Lincolnshire. This agreement will ensure local people will have a seat at the table as we drive forward our plans to deliver economic growth, and unleash the potential of towns and cities which have been neglected for far too long.
"Today marks the start of Greater Lincolnshire’s devolution journey, and we are committed to work hand-in-hand with local leaders to making a real difference to people’s lives." The Government believes that the new mayor should work "hand in glove" with council leaders.
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.
“Having a combined authority will give us the ability to liaise directly with the government about what is best for our residents, and we’ll be able to achieve our ambitious plans more quickly. The decision reflects our strong partnership work with North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire councils, and the hard work we have all put in to making sure it’s the right deal for our area.”
The leader of North East Lincolnshire Council, Cllr Philip Jackson, said: “I am sure I share the sentiments of my two colleagues, the Leaders of Lincolnshire County Council and North Lincolnshire Council, when I say this is the best possible news we could have hoped for. Months and months of dedicated hard work and effort has been put into creating a vision for Greater Lincolnshire that will offer a cohesive approach - allowing this region to grow and prosper.
“Our deal was supported by the last Government with millions of pounds of funding agreed to be devolved down to our new Mayoral Combined County Authority to ensure we would be able to truly invest in our key priority areas, which will underpin our positive way forward.”
North Lincolnshire Council leader, Cllr Rob Waltham CBE, added: “I am pleased that the devolution deal has been approved for Greater Lincolnshire and the generational change this will deliver for local people.
“Our £720m deal was supported by thousands of residents and has been on the table for years and negotiated earlier this year. At last, we can get to work on seizing this monumental opportunity – bringing better paid jobs to the area, boosting skills, expanding local infrastructure and enhancing our environment across Lincolnshire."