Leaders of authorities across the county have joined a Member of Parliament to voice their opinions following Monday’s announcement by the government that local government reorganisation (LGR) in Lincolnshire – and elsewhere across the country – has been paused pending a review.
Angela Rayner, the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, said the government had new legal advice, and they wanted to make sure that the reorganisation met the new administration’s priorities.
A joint statement, issued by Cllr Nick Worth (Leader of South Holland District Council), Cllr Dale Broughton (Leader of Boston Borough Council) and Cllr Craig Leyland (Leader of East Lindsey District Councik) said: “Monday’s Government announcement on the pause and review of Local Government Reorganisation in Lincolnshire is deeply frustrating and adds further uncertainty to residents and staff who want clarity on the future of this county.
“Considerable time, effort and money has been spent on delivering proposals which the Government wanted and which are now subject to delay and uncertainty due to what the Government is today saying is because of legal advice, whether the right Government processes were in place and whether the Government is compliant with the law.
“This delay and uncertainty will no doubt place even more financial strain on councils up and down the country. Despite this, the Partnership is in a good position to consider what the next steps are available to us and we hope that the Government now works with us to deliver what residents ultimately want: good quality services aligned to local need. We can confirm that local elections will go ahead in April 2027 on existing council boundaries.
“What we will be asking Government for over the coming days is certainty.”
Cllr Sean Matthews, leader of Lincolnshire County Council, said: “I’m very pleased that the government has put the brakes on their plans for local government reorganisation, and it shows that we were right to challenge them about the process.
“Angela Rayner set out the initial criteria for new councils, and seemingly they were ignored by her successor. Now she’s back as Secretary of State, I’m glad she’s reviewing those decisions.
“I’m not against the idea of reorganising local government, but it needs to be done right, and local opinion properly taken into account.
“I would now like some clarity from the government about how long this pause might last and what is next for reorganisation in Lincolnshire.”
Member of Parliament for Boston and Skegness, Richard Tice MP said: “This pause is welcome, but it raises serious questions about how the Government has handled the entire process.
“Local government reorganisation is a major decision that will affect residents across Lincolnshire for generations, and it cannot simply be imposed from Whitehall without properly listening to local people.
“The Government must now use this review to listen, provide clarity and ensure that any future proposals genuinely deliver better services and better value for taxpayers across Lincolnshire.”
