BUDGET OF £24M A YEAR COULD BE SPENT ON HOUSING AND OTHER LOCAL MAJOR PROJECTS

DAME Andrea Jenkyns has become the first Mayor of Greater Lincolnshire. The former Conservative MP, now representing Reform UK, came out on top of the polls after residents across the county cast their vote on Thursday, May 1.

- BY LAYCIE BECK

Dame Jenkyns won every single area of the county except North Lincolnshire, securing a total of 104,133 votes. This placed her significantly ahead of the Conservative candidate and leader of North Lincolnshire Council Rob Waltham, who came second in the election with 64,585 votes.

On Tuesday, May 6, Dame Jenkyns was officially sworn into her new position, in which she will serve as a direct link to Westminster whilst also leading the newly established Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority.

The new authority can also buy or sell land for growth and regeneration purposes, including compulsory purposes if the local council agrees to it.