North Kesteven backs council reform
It favours a plan to join with South Holland South Kesteven
North Kesteven has proposed a union with South Kesteven and South Holland after the current Lincolnshire councils are scrapped in 2028.
The plan won cross-party support at a decisive meeting on Thursday, with councillors saying it was the best option to replace the current council structure.
It would also group Lincoln, West Lindsey, East Lindsey and Boston together, and leave the northern Lincolnshire councils unchanged.
Councillors claim the proposal, developed in partnership with South Kesteven, would save £37million within five years.
Independent Councillor Marianne Overton praised the proposal for “being able to focus on Sleaford and other towns rather than being Lincoln-centric, as other plans might be.”
Conservative Councillor Ian Carrington said: “It strikes a balance between efficiency and keeping democracy local – staying in touch with the people we represent.”
Independent Councillor Mervyn Head said: “This would create a clear southern Lincolnshire identity of rural market towns.
“It is the most balanced, financially stable and future-proof option on the table.”
The proposal would originally have incorporated Rutland into the group, but the county was removed as the leader’s lack of support could have made the bid invalid.
Leader Councillor Richard Wright declared the proposal “a big moment”, and said: “It isn’t weakened at all by the absence of Rutland.”
Unaligned Councillor Richard Johnston said this layout was the best option, but he feared “political expediency of the government would overwhelm common sense.”
Labour Councillor Matt Lofts was the only person to vote against the proposal at the meeting.
He claimed his North Hykeham constituency should be grouped with Lincoln rather than Sleaford.
Conservative Councillor Stephen Roe, who also represents the town, caused laughs around the chamber as he responded: “The only connection between us and Lincoln should be a six-foot brick wall.”
The proposal will now be sent to the government, along with all of those from other Lincolnshire councils.
Elections for the new bodies are expected to be held in 2027 before they are officially created the following year.