Agenda item

This report seeks approval for the establishment of a District Joint Committee comprising the seven district authorities in Lincolnshire further to the Greater Lincolnshire Devolution Deal and the creation of the Greater Lincolnshire Mayoral Combined County Authority.

Note:  Councillor Charmaine Morgan arrived.

Members considered a report requesting approval for the establishment of a District Joint Committee comprising the seven district authorities in Lincolnshire further to the Greater Lincolnshire Devolution Deal and the creation of the Greater Lincolnshire Mayoral Combined County Authority.

A new layer of government was expected to come into force in May 2025 with specific funding and powers. The decision on devolution for Greater Lincolnshire had been supported by the previous government and had so far been supported by the incumbent government. It was anticipated that the first meeting of the Greater Lincolnshire Combined Authority Board would be early in 2025 with a mayoral election on 1 May 2025.

The Greater Lincolnshire Combined Authority Board consisted of the three unitary authorities in Greater Lincolnshire who were also constituent members: Lincolnshire County Council, North East Lincolnshire Council and North Lincolnshire Council. As constituent members they would each have three members on the Board. The seven districts within Lincolnshire were non-constituent members and would have four members in total on the Board. District Council members of the Board would not have the same voting rights as the constituent members.

The Constitution for the Greater Lincolnshire Combined Authority had not yet been released, which could be problematic as there was limited time to view it prior to the launch of the shadow Combined Authority. One reason for this delay was the General Election held in July 2024.

All seven districts had either decided on their membership of the District Joint Committee and agreed its terms of reference and standing orders or were shortly to do so. Agreeing to membership of the District Joint Committee would ensure South Kesteven District Council’s ‘seat at the table’.

There was a typographical error within the Terms of Reference at Appendix A of the report – the election of a Chairman and Vice-Chairman would be on a biennial basis (every two years), rather than bi-annual (twice yearly).

In the opinion of the Leader of the Council, once the Combined Mayoral Authority was established, it was inevitable that local government reorganisation would follow.

The following points were highlighted during debate:

·         Another tier of local government was being created. The Council had voted against devolution previously but had not been given the opportunity this time around.

·         The Greater Lincolnshire Authority would receive £24 million per year for the next 30 years. However, the overall budget for Lincolnshire County Council was around £600 million per year, so £24 million was a small number in comparison. This followed approximately 14 years of reduced spending power.

·         The Greater Lincolnshire Mayor would have tax raising powers.

·         One member was unclear on the role of the District Joint Committee and therefore would withhold support until they had sight of the Constitution.

·         Another member suggested that the creation of a Mayoral Combined Authority would take government away from local people rather than rather than bringing it down to a local level.

·         The seven districts in Lincolnshire were split into: Conservative-led authorities (3), Independent-led authorities (2), Liberal Democrat-led authorities (1), Labour-led authorities (1).

·         20 sub-committee places were also to be filled as part of the governance structure supporting the Greater Lincolnshire Combined Authority.

Having been moved and seconded, and following a vote it was AGREED:

DECISION

That Full Council:

1.    Approves the establishment of a District Joint Committee of the district authorities in Lincolnshire further to the Greater Lincolnshire Devolution Deal and the creation of the Greater Lincolnshire Mayoral Combined County Authority.

2.    Approves the proposed Terms of Reference and Standing Orders for the District Joint Committee.

3.    Approves the Leader of the Council as South Kesteven District Council’s representative on the District Joint Committee.

4.    Approves the Deputy Leader of the Council as the Leader’s substitute on the District Joint Committee.

5.    Delegates any further review or amendment of the Terms of Reference or Standing Orders to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Corporate Governance and Licensing.