Change of stance on local government shake-up is branded 'kneejerk reaction'

NORTH LINCS COUNCIL LEADER CRITICISED BY OPPOSITION LABOUR GROUP

- By IVAN MORRIS POXTON Local Democracy Reporter [e-mail]

NORTH Lincolnshire Council's leader has been criticised for his "kneejerk reaction" to announce a change on the local authority's stance on reducing the number of councils in Lincolnshire.

In late 2024, the Government announced its ambition to abolish all two-tier council areas, where county and district councils exist. Because of their small sizes, North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire councils have been brought into discussions over a shake-up of Lincolnshire local government.

Conservative Cllr Rob Waltham (Brigg and Wolds Ward) co-wrote a letter in January with two other council leaders backing reducing the county's councils from ten to two. And in March, the Conservative ruling group on North Lincolnshire Council voted through a draft preference to send to Government for a two council split, with a north-south divide of Lincolnshire.

But ten weeks later, Cllr Waltham has said the council will now say no to any local government reorganisation.

He said feedback received was clear there was no support for a large council taking over North Lincolnshire.