City of Lincoln Council has welcomed the Government’s decision on the future of local government across Greater Lincolnshire.
The decision marks a significant milestone in the Local Government Reorganisation process, following proposals submitted earlier this year by the County Council and district councils in Lincolnshire.
The selected proposal will see local government in Greater Lincolnshire reorganised into two unitary councils: a City of Lincoln unitary serving the city and surrounding urban communities, and a new unitary for Lincolnshire covering the county’s rural, coastal, and market-town communities.
North East Lincolnshire and North Lincolnshire will continue as existing unitary authorities.
The proposal recognises that the way people live, work, and travel has changed significantly since current local authority boundaries were established more than 50 years ago.
It creates a modern model of local government that reflects the different needs of Lincoln’s growing urban economy and the country’s rural and coastal communities.
The new unitaries will provide each respective area and their unique identities and communities with the scale and powers to support economic growth, deliver more joined-up public services and strengthen prevention by bringing services closer together.
By aligning growth and prevention, the new model creates a more resilient financial model.
By recognising the differences between the individual areas, and tailoring strategies accordingly, the new model will ensure both urban and rural communities can thrive, economically, socially, and environmentally.
While today’s announcement provides clarity on the Government’s preferred approach, the changes are subject to legislation being approved by Parliament before they can be implemented.
There are no immediate changes to council services, and residents should continue to access services in the usual way while work continues towards implementation.
Councillor Naomi Tweddle, Leader of City of Lincoln Council, welcomes the announcement and said:
“I am delighted that the Government has recognised Lincoln for the special place that it is.
“Lincoln is a growing city with a young demographic profile compared to much of the wider county. It is an economic powerhouse, driving investment, creating jobs and supporting businesses. It is also home to two universities, two colleges, thriving cultural attractions and internationally significant heritage.
“For more than a thousand years, Lincoln has been self-governed, so it is important that the Government has recognised the need to preserve our strong civic identity while creating a council that is best placed to meet the needs of our communities.
“At the same time, a Lincolnshire authority will ensure the county’s coastal, countryside, and market town communities have a council designed around their own priorities and identity. This approach recognises that the different places need different solutions, while ensuring both authorities are financially stable and able to deliver excellent public services.
“This proposal gives Lincoln the opportunity to shape its own future alongside neighbouring communities that share our economic links, transport connections and ambitions for growth. It creates a council with the scale to deliver high-quality services while ensuring decisions affecting our city are made by people who understand the opportunities and challenges we face.
“We will continue working with our partners to ensure a smooth transition while remaining full focused on delivering the services our residents rely on every day.”
Councils across Greater Lincolnshire have been preparing for today’s decision and will continue working together to ensure a smooth transition to the new arrangements.
It is expected that legislation will be laid before Parliament later this year, with shadow elections for the new authorities anticipated to take place in May 2027. Vesting Day (the day all the current Lincolnshire councils become the two new unitaries of City of Lincoln and Lincolnshire) is expected to be in April 2028.
Further information about the Local Government Reorganisation process, including answers to frequently asked questions, is available on the Greater Lincolnshire Local Government Reorganisation website.
The council will continue to provide updates as further details become available.