Lincoln MP sceptical over devolution deal and fears city will have 'less strong voice'
Lincoln's MP Hamish Falconer has warned that his area will have a "less strong voice" as a result of the biggest shakeup of politics in a generation for Greater Lincolnshire. Mr Falconer took to social media to air his views on the recent devolution deal and its impact on City of Lincoln Council's influence.
His views echo concerns across the county, with residents and councillors airing fears that they will miss out as part of a bigger area that brings and Scunthorpe and Grimsby under the same umbrella as the current county council area in a new body headed by a mayor. The devolution deal, which promises to bring an additional £24 million a year investment fund to the region, was formally approved by central government.
An election for a mayor will be held in May 2025, with a combined mayoral authority also being established at that point. Concerns have previously been raised about the number of seats on the combined authority, with four seats allocated for the seven district councils across the county.
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Boston Borough Council leader Anne Dorrian described this as "unpalatable." In a video posted to his social media channels, Mr Falconer – who succeeded Conservative Karl McCartney after the general election in July – acknowledged the benefits of the deal but highlighted that the city council would have less influence than the upper-tier councils: Lincolnshire County Council, North Lincolnshire Council, and North East Lincolnshire Council.
He said: "This week, I have been talking a lot to ministers and colleagues about the Lincolnshire devolution deal, which is good news. We have more money for Lincolnshire, and we have power closer to us and less in London—that is good.
"There are two issues that I have been talking to people in Lincoln and Lincolnshire about for some time and I have continued to raise with ministers here. One of those is about Lincoln.
"We have long had a council in Lincoln that thinks about Lincoln and under this deal, because we are a lower-tier authority rather than an upper-tier authority like Lincolnshire County Council, City of Lincoln Council has a less strong voice in this arrangement than I would like.
"The second thing, which I know lots of people have raised with me, is that people are not very keen on a mayor. There will be an election for a mayor in May. Whoever that is, I will work with them to try and make sure we get the right outcome for Lincoln."
The city's MP later added: "I think this is good news for the city, we just need to make sure that the city’s voice is heard."
City of Lincoln Council leader Naomi Tweddle welcomed the deal alongside the devolved powers from central government. She said: "We welcome the announcement that Greater Lincolnshire will, subject to parliamentary approval, receive essential devolved powers from central government.
"The 30-year deal will provide the region with more than £700 million, and it is vital that Lincoln, as its key urban area, is recognised accordingly when these funds are allocated. This should allow us to deliver our ambitious growth plans for the city and tackle the high levels of inequality that can be found here.
"In particular, it would help us provide the additional affordable housing that Lincoln desperately needs. As the key economic driver for the region, it is crucial that the city is allowed to play a significant role in contributing towards the success of the new combined authority.
"We look forward to working in partnership with the other councils in Greater Lincolnshire to ensure devolution delivers much-needed growth and prosperity for the region, while ensuring this is done in a fair and balanced manner for the benefit of all."