The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
There are just a few days left for people living and working in Greater Lincolnshire to have their say on proposals to create a Mayoral Combined Authority with a directly elected mayor for the area.
Ten local authorities, from the Humber to The Wash, have joined together to ask for some powers, responsibilities and funding from Government to be devolved, meaning more decisions on public services would be made locally, rather than at a national level.
If all ten councils sign up, a ‘mayoral combined authority’ would be established. This would be made up of elected councillors from the ten councils and a representative from the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership, and chaired by the directly elected mayor, chosen by Greater Lincolnshire residents.
The combined authority would not replace existing councils or affect the services they already provide. It would only be responsible for the new powers and funding devolved from central Government, which include transport, housing, skills-training and flood risk management.
Under the deal an additional £450million over the next 30 years (£15m per year) would be provided for investment in housing and infrastructure. It could also help to develop a better approach to skills training provision and criminal justice services in the area.
The consultation also seeks views on whether, if a mayoral combined authority were to be established, the public would want to see the role of mayor combined with that of Police and Crime Commissioner if it reduced administrative costs.
For the roles to be combined there would need to be a change made by Government to the Police and Crime Commissioner boundaries, as currently the Greater Lincolnshire area is served by both the Lincolnshire and Humberside commissioners.
A spokesman for South Holland District Council said: “We want your views on the scheme for the establishment of a mayoral combined authority for Greater Lincolnshire.”
Visit the homepage at www.sholland.gov.uk to have your say or pick up a consultation form and read the supporting information at your local Council Access Point or library. Frequently asked questions, along with other useful information, are available online.
The consultation will close on Monday (August 7) at 5pm. Responses will be reviewed before each council will then have to formally agree the deal later this year.
