Councils set to join three ways

South Holland looks likely to join forces with Boston and East Lindsey councils to create the largest local authority partnership in the country.

The three-way partnership will come into fruition if its approved by South Holland members at a meeting on July 1. Members of Boston will make a decision on June 28 and East Lindsey on June 30.

East Lindsey District and Boston Borough councils currently work together and if they are joined by South Holland, the authority will have a workforce of 1,000.

South Holland was previously in a partnership with Breckland District Council in Norfolk, with offices in East Dereham and Thetford.

South Holland District Council leader Gary Porter says the new grouping would be good news for the district.

“If all goes to plan, this potential partnership has the capacity to deliver greater value for money for residents through the pooling of workforce together with an improved service delivery for the benefit of our local residents and businesses,” he said.

“I also believe this partnership will give us a stronger regional voice when it comes to discussions with national government over funding which again is great news for the people of South Holland and the wider South East Lincolshire region,” he added.

The leaders of Boston Borough and East Lindsey District councils Paul Skinner and Craig Leyland, said: “We are pleased that our councils will soon consider the approach by South Holland District Council to join the strategic alliance.

“We have enjoyed some fantastic success during our first year working together as a formal alliance and with a third partner wishing to come on board, we’ve no doubt it would be to the benefit of all involved, including residents and businesses across our area.”

South Holland and Breckland District councils parted company in March this year after 11 years of shared services which, they said, saved tax payers around £4.4m during the partnership.