Lincolnshire Council Leaders express concern over lack of transparency in Greater Lincolnshire Devolution Bid

We understand that the text of a Greater Lincolnshire devolution deal has been agreed between Leaders of Lincolnshire County Council, North Lincolnshire Council, and North East Lincolnshire Council which will form the basis of an announcement in the Chancellor's Autumn Statement on Wednesday 22nd November 2023.

Whilst we acknowledge that some limited consultation has taken place with District Council Leaders over the past months, we the leaders of South Kesteven, Boston Borough Council, and West Lindsey regret that we have not been able to consider nor offer comment to government Ministers on this full draft before the announcement was made today.

The three district leaders stated:"It already feels as though Devolution is being done to us rather than being done with and for us. We are strongly committed to democratic principles and will ensure that our councils will publicly debate the proposed Devolution deal as soon as possible after it has been published."

Richard Cleaver - Leader of South Kesteven District Council

Council Anne Dorrian - Leader of Boston Borough Council

Trevor Young - Leader of West Lindsey District Council