Residents’ voices heard as Government shelves ‘mega council’ plans in North Lincolnshire

More than 12,000 residents who spoke up about the future of North Lincolnshire have had their voices heard as the Government confirmed there will be no changes to the council’s boundaries or status as part of Local Government Reorganisation.

North Lincolnshire Council – recently recognised as Local Authority of the Year at the prestigious MJ Achievement Awards – submitted an evidence-led case highlighting the area’s strong public services, established partnerships and clear local identity.

The council’s submission was informed by its largest ever public conversation, with more than 12,000 residents responding.

Cllr Rob Waltham, leader, North Lincolnshire Council, said: “Today is first and foremost a victory for the people of North Lincolnshire.

“More than 12,000 residents took the time to tell Government what mattered to them. They said they wanted to keep North Lincolnshire as it is.

“This has never been about protecting an organisation for its own sake. It has always been about protecting the services residents rely on, protecting strong local decision-making and avoiding millions of pounds being spent on unnecessary reorganisation instead of frontline services.

“Residents told us they wanted to keep free car-parking, free books for children, to protect libraries, free swimming, investment in leisure centres, improving parks and green spaces and planting hundreds of thousands of trees.

“I’d like to thank staff too – it has been an anxious time for them not knowing what the future would look like. Now, they can get on with what they do best and deliver the things that matter for residents across every community in North Lincolnshire.”

The council’s submission drew on independent analysis showing that proposals to merge North Lincolnshire with neighbouring authorities could have cost up to £49m, taken years to implement and risked disrupting established partnerships across health, policing and the economy.

Cllr Waltham added: “The debate about local government reorganisation is now over for North Lincolnshire. Our focus returns to what it has always been – delivering excellent services, supporting residents and businesses, and continuing to invest in the future of the area.”

The Government proposals see North and North East Lincolnshire Councils remaining as they are and two new unitary councils created in the rest of Lincolnshire – City of Lincoln and Rural Lincolnshire.