Agenda and draft minutes

Please note that, in accordance with the Members' Code of Conduct, when declaring interests members must disclose the existence and nature of the interest, and whether it is a disclosable pecuniary interest (DPI) or personal and/or pecuniary.

Councillor Anita Pritchard declared a Personal Interest with regard to the agenda item titled 'Local Government Reorganisation'.

Reason: She was employed by Lincolnshire County Council.

Councillor Clare Smalley declared a Personal Interest with regard to the agenda item titled 'Local Government Reorganisation'.

Reason: She was employed by Lincolnshire County Council.

Councillor Hilton Spratt declared a Personal Interest with regard to the agenda item titled 'Local Government Reorganisation'.

Reason: He was an Elected Member at Lincolnshire County Council.

Councillor Lucinda Preston declared a Personal Interest with regard to the agenda item titled 'Local Government Reorganisation'.

Reason: She was employed by Lincolnshire County Council.

Councillor Naomi Tweddle, Leader of the Council, presented the ‘Local Government Reorganisation: City of Lincoln Proposal March 2025’ to allow members the opportunity to contribute to the debate on local government reorganisation in response to the Government’s invitation to submit details of proposed unitary authorities, as per section 2 of the Local Government Public Involvement in Health Act 2007.

She explained that Council had no decision-making role as far as devolution and local government reorganisation were concerned since this was an Executive function, however as this was a subject matter of significant public interest, it was considered important to give all councillors the ability to consider and debate the matter.

The City of Lincoln Council’s proposal for Local Government Reorganisation recommended a three unitary model for Greater Lincolnshire. This included a larger Lincoln Unitary Council, which grew the city’s boundary based on the current Lincoln Strategy Area in the Central Lincolnshire Local Plan, making the city and surrounding areas sustainable and focusing on a functioning economy and housing growth.

The proposed geographical boundary for a new larger Lincoln authority had a population of 207,000 based on mid 2022 population estimates and was expected to grow to approximately 246,500 by 2038 and 276,000 by 2050. The proposal considered the city’s unique identity and heritage and the opportunity an expanded city had for improving outcomes and providing the right services locally, to meet the needs of the city and neighbouring villages now and in future.

A larger Lincoln unitary authority based on its economic functional area allowed for a focus on growth areas for both the economy and housing, maximised opportunities for investment and would deliver local services well, based on the needs of its residents and community and was best placed to be a strong and effective partner across Lincolnshire.

The Leader highlighted the following points:

·       This was a historic day for the City of Lincoln and its future.

·       Thanks were given to officers for all their hard work putting together the City of Lincoln Council’s proposal for Local Government Reorganisation within such a short time deadline.

·       The proposed Lincoln Strategy Area was already defined in the Local Plan in recognition of its geographical/placemaking area.

·       The proposal preserved Lincoln’s historical importance. This Chamber where we met this evening was a unique example of a long-standing tradition of self-governance in the City and its importance since Roman times. We must now expand these historical boundaries set 50 years ago.

·       The proposal represented a sense of the City and being part of it.

·       Lincoln had outgrown its boundaries due to it being so successful.

·       It was important to recognise the economic, social and cultural powerhouse it had become.

Councillors commented on the content of the City of Lincoln Council’s ‘Local Government Reorganisation: City of Lincoln Proposal March 2025’, covering the following main points:

·       People living in the surrounding areas/villages felt an affinity and identity of belonging with the City.

·       Local government should be local and Lincoln should be a Unitary Council.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.