An upcoming event will showcase how devolution and fairer funding will help achieve ambition plans for growth across the region.
On Friday 15 November, the Lincolnshire Growth Summit will bring together local councillors, MPs, potential mayoral candidates and business leaders to explore the benefits offered by the region’s devolution deal.
Devolution will see the areas covered by Lincolnshire County Council, North Lincolnshire Council and North East Lincolnshire Council offered extra powers and devolved budgets. Plans includes the formation of a Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority – a separate body that will be headed up by an elected mayor – and £720m of investment over the next 30 years, with an additional initial capital funding pot of £28m coming to the three councils.
Cllr Martin Hill OBE, leader of Lincolnshire County Council, said: “Devolution will put decisions about our economic future in the hands of local people and give us a stronger voice in negotiations with government about investment and services in our area. In short, this represents an opportunity to take direct control of the things that really matter to our region’s 1.1 million residents.
“Initially, that will mean greater control over decisions relating to transport, skills and training, housing, economic growth, and the environment. However, this list of responsibilities is expected to grow as the deal matures. So, it’s important that local partners are ready to take advantage of the wealth of opportunities this will bring, which is what the growth summit is all about.”
The event will also see the launch of a new fairer funding campaign, highlighting that rural counties like Lincolnshire continue to be short-changed compared to more urban areas. It will also cover the additional challenges associated with delivering services in rural communities and the financial pressures facing local authorities in light of rising demand for services, such as adult care and children’s social care.
Cllr Hill added: “If we’re to make the most of our new powers we need the right level of funding. So, we’re asking people to support our new fairer funding campaign. If Lincolnshire received the national average in funding that would mean an extra £120m for our area each year. That would make a dramatic difference.”
Examples of projects that could potentially be paid for by fairer funding include:
- Repairing and rebuilding our most rural, smaller roads so they are more able to cope with modern traffic, such as HGVs and farm vehicles
- Funding 100 flood prevention schemes, protecting up to 5,600 more homes
- Building on the good progress in extending access to high-speed broadband, using recent innovations to get signals to remote places
To find out more on how you can pledge your support for a fair deal for Lincolnshire, visit www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/fairerfunding