Opinion piece: Why does Local Government Reorganisation matter?

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

28th November 2025

Why does Local Government Reorganisation matter?

We have a golden opportunity to improve

how local services are delivered

In the coming months we have a golden opportunity in Greater Lincolnshire to improve how local services are delivered; making them truly responsive to local needs, able to tackle the big challenges we face, easier to access and to use whilst delivering better value for money.

Our current system of local government in Greater Lincolnshire with ten councils is fragmented, bureaucratic and is no longer fit for purpose. It was a system designed in the 1970s that is no longer able to meet the demands and challenges we face today. Indeed, many will have stories about being passed from one council to another.

Why then does this matter? It matters because local government is fundamental to supporting thriving communities and the wellbeing of our residents in delivering critical services including care for elderly, looked after and vulnerable children but also roads, recycling, planning and housing to name just a few.

Our three councils were invited by the government earlier this year to submit proposals for reform of this system. On Friday 28 November, we submitted a full business case called ‘A Greater Lincolnshire for All’ that will do this.

Our proposal would see the creation of two balanced and financially sustainable unitary councils covering the whole of Greater Lincolnshire, able to fully meet the needs of residents, communities and businesses and providing clear accountability:

• Northern Lincolnshire Council - covering Lincoln, North Lincolnshire, North East Lincolnshire, and West Lindsey with a population of 526,000.

• Southern Lincolnshire Council - covering Boston, East Lindsey, South Holland, North Kesteven, and South Kesteven with a population of 569,000.

This is a proposal that has been developed following extensive engagement with residents, communities, businesses and partners over the last ten months and reflects many of the points and comments that were made. Indeed, the people of Greater Lincolnshire overwhelmingly support reform of the current system.

These two councils will be the right size to achieve efficiencies, improve capacity and withstand financial shocks. Our proposal delivers significant financial benefits, with payback in year 4 and a 10-year saving figure of over £220m. Our proposal creates authorities that are of the optimal size to drive efficiencies whilst we have a very clear plan to ensure services are not disrupted as we move to this new structure.

There will be other proposals submitted to government. A Greater Lincolnshire for All is the only one that fully meets and delivers on each of the government’s criteria for local government reorganisation including creating financially sustainable authorities for the whole of Greater Lincolnshire. Our proposal would also deliver significantly greater efficiencies and savings that can be reinvested back into front line services.

We believe that our proposal delivers a blueprint for better local services and value for money, creating two balanced and financially secure authorities that fully meets the government’s criteria, that are the right option for the whole of Greater Lincolnshire.

In the coming months, the government will hold a public consultation on the future of local government in Greater Lincolnshire. We would urge you to take this opportunity to have your say.

Cllr Dale Broughton, Leader of Boston Borough Council

Cllr Craig Leyland, Leader of East Lindsey District Council

Cllr Nick Worth, Leader of South Holland District Council