MATT WARMAN MP WELCOMES GREATER LINCOLNSHIRE DEVOLUTION DEAL

Matt Warman, MP for Boston and Skegness has welcomed the newly agreed devolution deal for Greater Lincolnshire, which was announced today in the Chancellor’s Budget. The new deal, agreed between Whitehall and all ten local authorities between the Humber and the Wash, will pass important new powers and funding from the Government to the local area, and results from Matt’s brokering local meetings between council leaders and Minister James Wharton MP, as well as further meetings in Westminster with Communities Secretary Greg Clark MP.

The local authorities will continue to exist in their current forms, but will also come together to exercise new powers including responsibilities for transport, housing, skills training and flood risk management. Health and care – as well as court and prison services – will also enjoy more regional decision-making. The new combined authority will have its own elected mayor.

The devolution arrangements are expected to boost the area’s economy by £8bn, create 29,000 jobs and provide 100,000 new homes. The combined authority will receive £15m a year, for the next 30 years, for infrastructure projects, and will have a guaranteed share of the money available nationally for transport – at current levels, that would bring in £23m annually.

Matt said, “Devolving power to Lincolnshire will see more decisions taken locally and recognises the county’s fine independent-minded traditions. I have championed this agenda locally because I know it will bring much needed jobs and growth as well as money for important infrastructure projects. It’s a tribute to all our local council leaders that Lincolnshire is among the very first deals signed by government. I look forward to continuing to work with Boston Borough Council, East Lindsey District Council and Lincolnshire County Council, as well as with Ministers and officials in the Department for Communities and Local Government to help finalise the finer details of the deal.”

James Wharton MP, the Department for Communities and Local Government with responsibility for devolution, said, “I know that Matt has been a relentless campaigner in helping his local authorities to secure a great deal for Lincolnshire, and I commend his dedication on this issue. Devolution to local areas is about bespoke deals which recognise differences between areas and what each area needs. I am pleased that a hugely positive deal, bringing more jobs, more growth and more local control has been reached for Lincolnshire.”

 

  • The ten local authorities involved are North Lincolnshire Council, South Kesteven DC, West Lindsey DC, South Holland DC, City of Lincoln Council, East Lindsey DC, Boston BC, North Kesteven DC, North-East Lincolnshire Council and Lincolnshire County Council.
  • Each council will have to formally agree the deal at their full council, following consultation with residents in the summer.

 

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