Two new unitary councils confirmed for Lincolnshire
Eight councils will be replaced by two
A major expansion of Lincoln’s boundaries has been confirmed, with the surrounding villages to be absorbed into a much bigger council.
The new authority will incorporate nearby parts of North Kesteven and West Lindsey, while the rest of the county will be merged into a separate council.
North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire Councils will remain unchanged, with the potential to combine in the future.
The major government reorganisation will abolish Lincolnshire’s eight current county and district tier authorities, in favour of just two which will deliver all services.
From West Lindsey, the new city authority will incorporate the wards of Bardney, Cherry Willingham, Dunholme and Welton, Nettleham, Saxilby, Scampton and Sudbrooke.
In North Kesteven, it will include Bassingham Rural, Bracebridge Heath, Branston, Heighington & Washingborough, Hykeham Central, Hykeham Fosse, Hykeham Memorial, Metheringham Rural, Navenby & Brant Broughton, Skellingthorpe & Eagle, Waddington Rural and Witham St Hughs & Swinderby.
There had been widespread disagreement over which model to opt for, with the City of Lincoln Council’s proposal being chosen over three others.
The county council had fought for a single authority covering the whole of Lincolnshire, although this was criticised as too large and remote.
Other districts had put forward various proposals for how to split Lincolnshire in two without cutting across the current boundaries.
The existing councils will continue operating until May 2027, when elections will be held for the two new authorities.
The ‘shadow’ authorities will then gradually take over until an official switch in April 2028.
The larger Lincoln model had been attacked by neighbouring councillors who said that their residents didn’t want to be absorbed into the city.
However, Lincoln leaders argued that the city’s urban area and its surrounding villages had very different needs to the market towns, countryside and coast in the rest of Lincolnshire.
The government says the new system will be easier to understand and deliver better services for residents.