North East Lincolnshire will not get merged with neighbours
It will remain a unitary authority, the Government has announced
North East Lincolnshire Council will not be merged with any of its neighbours and will remain a unitary authority, the Government has announced. For over 18 months, Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) in Lincolnshire has raised the prospect of North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire councils being wiped off the map and merged with each other or other Lincolnshire areas.
The Labour Government wanted in particular to remove two-tier council areas in England, where there are district or borough councils beneath a wider county council. North and North East Lincolnshire councils are unitary authorities and not two-tier regions, unlike the Lincolnshire County Council area.
Because of a population size preference of approximately 500,000 for the new councils created by LGR, northern Lincolnshire was included in discussions for the county. Finally, a decision has been announced on LGR for Lincolnshire.
North Lincolnshire Council and North East Lincolnshire Council will remain, covering the same geographic areas as before. In Lincolnshire County Council area, eight total councils are being whittled down to two.
One will cover Lincoln with an expanded geography, while the second new council will cover the rest of the former county council geographical area. These new authorities will not form until April 2028, though elections for them will be held earlier.
As part of the LGR review process, North East Lincolnshire Council presented its case to stay within its current structure. This was supported by hundreds of residents and businesses during a public consultation – and has resulted in today’s decision.
Political group leaders on North East Lincolnshire Council have universally welcomed the news their local authority will not be merged with any neighbours. “Our concise and clear proposal has been read and listened to,” said council leader Cllr Oliver Freeston (Reform UK – Croft Baker Ward).
“In it, we outlined our strong ambition, our close links with our communities and our partners, and the huge strides we are making in key areas of children’s services, adult social care, in creating our Marmot Town, and in supporting the economy and regeneration.
“This is the very best decision for the people of our borough, and the wider Greater Lincolnshire and South Humber regions.” He added that North East Lincolnshire’s unique geographical position makes it “the vital link between the economy powerhouse of the estuary and the rest of Greater Lincolnshire”, allowing it contribute to the region’s wider success.
“This decision comes with a pledge from everyone here to continue our work and continue our close collaboration with neighbouring local authorities and our determination to see the Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority grow and bring with it benefits for all. We can look forward to the future with confidence.”
Cllr Freeston also took the opportunity to thank fellow councillors, officers, and the many residents, businesses and voluntary organisations that supported the proposal, stating: “It was invaluable.”
“There is no doubt that this is the right decision for us all here in North East Lincolnshire,” said Labour group leader Cllr Emma Clough (Heneage). “Our borough has a strong sense of community, of pride and of ambition and this is reflected in the actions of so many.
“Our hearts our here, as is our vision to build a better place, and this is best achieved with local decision making, and local accountability. Our proposal, unanimously supported by all elected members, clearly showed the power of working together, with partners and our communities. Government has listened and agreed.”
Conservative group leader Cllr Philip Jackson (Waltham) noted all councillors supported staying as is and said: “I am pleased the Government has listened to the wishes of residents and businesses right across our borough of North East Lincolnshire.”
Independents for North East Lincolnshire Group leader Cllr Paul Bright (Freshney) said the outcome was “a victory for common sense and a win for our local democracy”. He added: “Independent evidence has consistently shown huge, unitary structures offer no guaranteed benefits.”
“This decision protects local identity and ensures local government remains genuinely local and accountable to people here. With the cloud of an expensive and divisive merger lifted, we can focus on our challenges,” he said citing delivering Grimsby town centre regeneration, advancing Cleethorpes Masterplan, navigating the new mayoral authority and driving vital service improvements. “We have avoided a costly bureaucratic distraction, allowing us to move forward with stability and deliver services our residents deserve.”
Liberal Democrat group leader Cllr Nicola Aisthorpe (East Marsh) said she was pleased North East Lincolnshire’s strong case to remain its own unitary authority has been recognised by Government. “Throughout this process, the Liberal Democrat Group has consistently supported keeping decisions affecting North East Lincolnshire in the hands of local people, not imposed from elsewhere.
“This proposal received unanimous cross-party support and demonstrated what can be achieved when North East Lincolnshire Council, North Lincolnshire Council and Lincolnshire County Council work together in the best interests of residents across Greater Lincolnshire. With this certainty now in place, we can all focus on improving services, supporting our communities and strengthening our local economy.”