Mayor for Greater Lincolnshire for devolution - Find a freedom of information request

I see repeatedly in the media Martin Hill insisting on a Mayor for Greater Lincolnshire being necessary for devolution.

1. Please may I see the documents from Government (Govt) that state a Mayor is compulsory, and any other documents between Lincolnshire County Council (LCC) and Govt (past or present) stating a Mayor is or is not necessary, for example if a range of options have been offered or requested by either side or discussed.

2. Please may I know the cost to date to LCC (financial and staff costs) in preparing for devolution, a mayor etc. You kindly provided the cost of the consultation previously so unless that has changed significantly I do not need that.

3. Please may I know the full costs to LCC of attending this years Lincolnshire Show (pitch and displays, travel of both staff and councillors, food drink or allowances towards for staff and councillors, marketing.

4. Please may I know the full cost ( staff printing distribution) of producing the County News per annum for 2023/2024 financial year

1. the Government set out the powers and functions that could be devolved to a local area with a directly elected official in the following documents:

• The devolution framework within the Levelling Up White Paper: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/levelling-up-the-united-kingdom
• Technical paper on Level 4 devolution framework introducing further devolution opportunities and refreshing the previous framework: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/technical-paper-on-level-4-devolution-framework/technical-paper-on-level-4-devolution-framework

2. The costs incurred to date by the County Council are £45,347.95, this being one third of the total costs shared equally across the three upper tier councils.

This figure includes costs associated with the consultation, analysis and external resource to support devolution such as specialist legal advice, additionally existing teams across the three councils have been used to deliver devolution.

3. The cost of LCC attending the Lincolnshire show in 2024 is £84,411. Lincolnshire County Council receive the pitch and tickets for free. We also receive £6,000 from North Lincolnshire Council and North East Lincolnshire Council, along with £30,000 of sponsorship from Serco. The Lincolnshire show provides a valuable opportunity to engage with residents and showcase the services delivered by the council.

4. During 2023/2024, Lincolnshire County Council issued three editions of county news. The total cost for print, design and distribution of these editions was £223,918.86.