Limited support for Greater Lincolnshire mayor – but leaders set to press ahead with devolution deal

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A Greater Lincolnshire devolution deal will be decided on at council meetings this week – but the results of a consultation show limited support for a mayor.

Under the plans, a combined county authority (CCA) would be created, led by a county-wide mayor. It would enjoy a host of powers, including over transport.

The Government would provide this authority with a budget of £24m a year for 30 years – a total of £720m. In addition, a £28.4m one-off capital investment is promised.

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However, the results of a consultation show that only 39 per cent of residents taking part across Lincolnshire agreed with the proposed mayor-led structure, while 49 per cent disagreed. Other aspects of the deal won greater support, with 57 per cent agreeing with proposals relating to roads, buses and transport.

Only 4,101 responses were received to the consultation, despite a population of 1.1 million. Nevertheless, this was still the highest response rate relative to population across regions involved in recent devolution consultations, according to analysis by Alma Economics.

A revised deal has now been put forward and the three lead councils (Lincolnshire, North Lincolnshire and North-East Lincolnshire) will vote on it this week. Little has changed to the substance of the deal, though district councils, such as East Lindsey, have been provided with more clarity over their representation in the CCA.

Despite the lack of public support for a mayor, a report on the consultation noted that the Government would not permitting such a devolution deal without one. According to the report, the benefits of going ahead would include “unlocking housing in Brigg, Barton and Scunthorpe”, and the “creation of waterside town centre neighbourhoods in North East Lincolnshire”.

What happens next?

Lincolnshire County Council will vote on whether to proceed on Wednesday, March 13, at 10.30am. North East Lincolnshire Council has it in its general full council agenda for Thursday, March 14, 7pm. North Lincolnshire Council will hold a special meeting on Friday, March 15, at 10.30am.

Despite the lack of support for a mayor, council leaders have suggested that the consultation demonstrated good support for most aspects of the deal. Cllr Philip Jackson, the leader of North East Lincolnshire Council, said: “I am pleased that residents across the whole of Greater Lincolnshire showed that, whilst there are some understandable questions, on balance they share our view that this is the best way forward if we want both our local area and the wider county to grow and prosper. I have said all along that I support this deal, not just as the leader of the council, but as a life-long resident of North East Lincolnshire.”

Cllr Rob Waltham, the leader of North Lincolnshire Council, said. “Quite simply, this is the single biggest opportunity we have to create a new, more prosperous future for generations of young people in Lincolnshire. The consultation was wide-ranging, it was comprehensive and while we would always want to see more people take part, the results were clear,” he said, adding that Lincolnshire residents backed the proposals on jobs, transport, education, the environment and homes.

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Original artice: https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/all-about/scunthorpe

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Limited support for Greater Lincolnshire mayor – but leaders set to press ahead with devolution deal

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