What you need to know about the Greater Lincolnshire devolution deal
Following Chancellor George Osborne’s announcement that the Greater Lincolnshire region will get a directly elected mayor from 2017, partner councils have compiled a list of answers to all the questions you may have on the devolution deal: What is devolution? The government is offering places in England the chance to have greater responsibility and control over decisions…
A previous bid for devolution was rejected in 2016 due to government not compromising over the mayoral requirement.
Following Chancellor George Osborne’s announcement that the Greater Lincolnshire region will get a directly elected mayor from 2017, partner councils have compiled a list of answers to all the questions you may have on the devolution deal:
What is devolution?
The government is offering places in England the chance to have greater responsibility and control over decisions and spending in their region. This process of transferring powers and decisions usually taken by central government to a regional level is called devolution.
How do things currently work?
Most spending decisions affecting the Greater Lincolnshire area are made by central government. Many of the taxes raised locally flow back to central government for it to redistribute as it sees fit.
Why would places want to have more powers and responsibilities from central government?
To work together across services and use local knowledge to get better value for money
To be more self-sufficient and have more responsibility for the future of the local area
For decisions to be taken by locally elected politicians working with private sector partners on the Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs)
How do places get these powers and responsibilities?
Be part of a joint body with other places where decisions about these things would be taken. This is called a ‘combined authority’
Have an elected mayor who would have responsibility over the powers and resources gained through a deal
Have an agreed arrangement by all the places involved, as well as central government
What is a LEP?
LEPs (Local Enterprise Partnerships) are business-led partnerships of local businesses, local authorities and other partners to promote economic growth across a specific area.
They are overseen by the Secretaries of State for Business Innovation & Skills, and Communities & Local Government.
LEPs can bid for funding from government through ‘Growth Deals’.
What is a combined authority?
Combined authorities are statutory bodies within which local authorities work together to deliver economic development, regeneration and transport functions.
Doesn’t this just create an extra tier of government?
The combined authority cabinet is expected to be formed by the existing leaders of the ten constituent local authorities and chaired by the directly elected mayor.
How will I benefit?
Because the combined authority is locally accountable, it should be motivated to deliver specifically to the people of Greater Lincolnshire. In addition, money should be spent in ways that respond directly to the needs of the population.
What will happen to local council services?
There will be no impact on councils as a result of devolution as the new authority will have no responsibility for existing services.
What will the mayor and the combined authority do?
The mayor will exercise the following powers and functions devolved from central government:
Responsibility for a devolved multi-year local transport budget for the area of the combined authority
Ability to franchise bus services, which will support the combined authority’s delivery of integrated ticketing across the combined authority’s councils
Oversight of a new Joint Investment and Assets Board to review all public sector land and property assets and help unlock land for housing and employment
Ability to make proposals to help take forward large developments or new settlements
The new Greater Lincolnshire Combined Authority, working with the mayor, will receive the following powers:
Control of a new additional £15 million a year funding allocation over 30 years, to be invested to boost growth; this is new money specifically for growth projects.
Responsibility for developing a strategic infrastructure delivery plan which will identify the infrastructure needed to support the increased delivery of new homes
Responsibility for chairing an area-based review of 16+ skills provision and devolved 19+ adult skills funding from 2018-19
To help tackle long-term unemployment in Greater Lincolnshire, the combined authority will feed into the national design of the new Work and Health Programme
To move with the government and local criminal justice partners towards a co-commissioning arrangement for services for Greater Lincolnshire offenders serving short sentences
To work with the government, Police and Crime Commissioners, local prison governors and the Community Rehabilitation Companies (CRC) to allow more local flexibility with other local services
To contribute to the outcomes from the Water Resources Study and the objectives set out in the resulting Greater Lincolnshire LEP’s Water Management Plan
In addition:
Government will work with the Greater Lincolnshire Combined Authority to agree specific funding flexibilities. The joint ambition will be to give the Greater Lincolnshire Combined Authority a single pot to invest in its economic growth.
How will the new mayor work?
The mayor will chair the combined authority, the members of the CA will make up the mayor’s cabinet.
The cabinet will also examine the mayor’s spending plans and will be able to amend his/her plans, if two thirds of the constituent members agree to do so
The mayor will have one vote on the CA as will other voting members
The mayor will be a member of the Local Enterprise Partnership, alongside the other members of the CA
What if the mayor wants to do things that local leaders don’t agree with?
The mayor will need to consult her/his cabinet on their strategies and spending plans and her/his cabinet will have powers to reject decisions (if two thirds agree to do so).
Who will oversee the mayor and what powers will they have?
The mayor will be held to account by voters (elections every four or five years) and the Greater Lincolnshire Overview and Scrutiny Committee. The democratically elected leaders of the Greater Lincolnshire Combined Authority will be able to amend and veto the mayor’s budget and strategies with a two-thirds majority.
There will be five yearly ‘gateway assessments’ by government (HM Treasury) to look at the impact of investments in the economy.
Who will get to vote for the mayor?
Residents of Greater Lincolnshire will get to vote for the mayor in 2017.
How much will the mayor be paid?
No figures have been determined. There are no direct comparisons in existence yet.
Is this an end-point for devolution or is there the chance to get more powers?
Greater Lincolnshire will continue to negotiate for further powers and will ask the public about things they may wish to see local control over.
The Lincolnite welcomes your views. All comments are reactively-moderated and must obey the house rules. Please stay on topic and be respectful of other readers.
The Lincolnite welcomes your views. All comments are reactively-moderated and must obey the house rules. Please stay on topic and be respectful of other readers.
There have been 240 new coronavirus cases on Tuesday and four COVID-19 related deaths across Greater Lincolnshire.
The latest UK coronavirus dashboard figures show 123 cases in Lincolnshire, 68 in North Lincolnshire and 49 in North East Lincolnshire.
It means means there have been 3,349 cases for the month of October.
NHS figures have reported one further deaths at Lincolnshire Community Health Service confirmed on October 19.
Meanwhile, the government’s own death tally, which includes those both in and out of hospitals and those of residents in hospitals outside the county, increased by four.
It includes three Lincolnshire residents and one North East Lincolnshire resident.
How cases have looked since the start of the pandemic. | Image: Public Health England and NHSX
Nationally, cases increased by 21,331 to 762,542, while deaths jumped by 241 to 43,967.
Lincolnshire is currently still on the medium (tier 1) level for the the new three-tier lockdown system of COVID-19 risk, which means it has no extra restrictions on top of the nation-wide ones.
Coronavirus data for Greater Lincolnshire for Tuesday, October 20
7,941 cases (up 240)
5,223 in Lincolnshire (up 123)
1,662 in North Lincolnshire (up 68)
1,056 in North East Lincolnshire (up 49)
428 deaths (up four)
295 from Lincolnshire (up three)
91 from North Lincolnshire (no change)
42 from North East Lincolnshire (up one)
of which 287 hospital deaths (up one)
153 at United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust (no change)
6 at Lincolnshire Community Health Service hospitals (up one)
1 at Lincolnshire Partnership Foundation Trust (no change)
127 in Northern Lincolnshire (NLAG) (no change)
762,542 UK cases, 43,967 deaths
DATA SOURCE — FIGURES CORRECT AT THE TIME OF the latest update. postcode data includes deaths not in healthcare facilities or in hospitals outside authority boundaries.
Squirrels in Lincoln were captured having fun with cameras, radios and even miniature shopping trollies.
Colin Bradding, a local photographer, went to Hartsholme Park in the city to capture some footage of the wildlife there, but he found himself even closer than usual to the creatures.
Squirrels were climbing onto his camera lens, exploring the portable radio he brought, and even pushing a tiny shopping trolley with nuts in it.
Why won’t this thing tune! | Photo: Colin Bradding
Trying to get the right angle. | Photo: Colin Bradding
Stay still while I focus the camera. | Photo: Colin Bradding
Just need to check this is still working okay. | Photo: Colin Bradding
Yep, working fine, back to work I go! | Photo: Colin Bradding
Nine more schools and three nurseries in Lincolnshire have positive cases of coronavirus on Tuesday.
Lincolnshire County Council said on October 20 that it is working with 77 schools with COVID-19 infections.
There have been 34 schools with cases in North East Lincolnshire since September, with 13 current active, suspected or confirmed cases. There have been at least six schools with cases in North Lincolnshire.
The latest additions to the list are Carre’s Grammar School (Sleaford), Louth Academy, Boston Grammar School, Hartsholme Academy (Lincoln), Lincoln Christ’s Hospital School, Harlaxton Primary School (Grantham), Holbeach Primary Academy and Priory Pembroke Academy (Cherry Willingham), which all remain open.
Little Learners Pre-School in Lincoln has also been added to the list, but is closed, along with Woodlands Academy (Spilsby), Bassingham Pre-School, Hawthorn Tree School (Boston), Springwell Alternative Academy (Grantham) and St George’s Academy (Ruskington).
Andy Fox, consultant in public health, said: “As of this Tuesday, Lincolnshire’s Health Protection Team is currently working with 77 schools that have had confirmed cases of coronavirus.
“All schools are taking action to limit the potential spread of the virus, with some pupils and staff self-isolating as a precaution where necessary.”
Bishop Grosseteste University has three students who are currently self-isolating due to a positive test result. Eight students are currently self-isolating with suspected symptoms and waiting to be tested or to receive a test a result.
Schools with current confirmed cases (new in bold at the top):
Carre’s Grammar School, Sleaford
Louth Academy
Boston Grammar School
Hartsholme Academy, Lincoln
Lincoln Christ’s Hospital School
Harlaxton Primary School, Grantham
Holbeach Primary Academy
Priory Pembroke Academy, Cherry Willingham
Little Learners Pre-School, Lincoln (closed)
Lincoln College
Queen Elizabeth High School, Gainsborough
Hackthorn Primary School
Kesteven and Sleaford High School
Somercotes Academy, North Somercotes
Lincoln Castle Academy
Lincoln Carlton Academy
Bluecoat Meres Academy, Grantham
Dunholme St Chad’s Primary School
Kesteven and Grantham Girls School
Hogsthorpe Primary Academy
Bassingham Pre-School (closed)
Barrowby Primary School
Billingborough Primary School
The Priory Academy LSST
Priory Ruskin Academy, Grantham
Boston College
Hawthorn Tree School, Boston (closed)
Caistor Yarborough Academy
Haven High Academy, Boston
Malcolm Sargent Primary School, Stamford
St George’s Academy, Sleaford
St Peter and St Paul Academy, Lincoln
Kirkstone House School, Baston
Stamford Endowed Schools
Manor Leas Junior School, Lincoln
St Hugh’s Catholic Primary, Lincoln
Ermine Academy, Lincoln
St Giles Academy, Lincoln
Branston Community College Academy
Grantham College
Kelsey Primary School
Birchwood Junior School, Lincoln
Great Steeping Primary School, Spilsby
Walton Academy, Grantham
Wragby Primary School
Woodlands Academy, Spilsby (closed)
Skegness Academy
Blyton Cum Laughton Primary School
Castle Wood Academy, Gainsborough
The King’s School, Grantham
Westgate Academy, Lincoln
William Farr School, Welton, Lincoln
Sir William Robertson Academy, Welbourn, Lincoln
Kisimul School Acacia Hall, Freisthorpe
Leslie Manser Primary, Lincoln
Lincoln St Christopher’s Special School
Long Sutton Primary School
Market Deeping Community Primary
Springwell Alternative Academy, Grantham (closed)
St Nicholas Primary, Boston
Community Learning in Partnership, Gainsborough
Grantham Preparatory International School
Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Horncastle
St Michael’s Primary School, Thorpe on the Hill
University Academy Long Sutton
Denton Primary School, Grantham
Bridge House Independent School, Boston
Charles Read Academy, Grantham
De Aston School, Market Rasen
The Lancaster School, Lincoln
The St Sebastian Primary School, Grantham
Waddington All Saints Academy
Bourne Academy
Claypole Primary School
St George’s Academy, Ruskington (closed)
Swinderby All Saints Primary School
University Academy Holbeach
Public Health are also aware of the following six nurseries with positive cases (new in bold at the top):
Little Learners Nursery, Skegness
Nutwood Day Nursery, Lincoln
Clarence House Day Nursery, Grantham
Town and Country Kiddies Nursery, Louth
Seashells Nursery, Mablethorpe
Angels Childcare, Lincoln
North East Lincolnshire
There have been 34 schools and education settings with confirmed cases of coronavirus in North East Lincolnshire since September.
There are currently 13 with current active suspected or confirmed cases, although this figure does not include pre-schools/alternative settings.
The following schools, academies and colleges have recorded confirmed COVID-19 cases since September (figures correct as of October 19 with the current suspected or confirmed cases in bold):
Stallingborough Junior and Infant School
Lisle Marsden Academy
Tollbar Academy
Grimsby Institute
Middlethorpe Primary Academy
Signhills Infant Academy
Ormiston Maritime Academy
Cleethorpes Academy
Franklin College
Great Coates Primary
Healing Science Academy
Humberston Academy
William Barcroft Junior School
Humberston CE Primary School
Phoenix Park Academy
John Whitgift Academy
Saint James’s School
Western Primary School
Fairfield Primary Academy
Sevenhills Academy
Signhills Academy
Havelock Academy
Weelsby Academy
Laceby Acres Academy
Scartho Infants
There is also one further school with an active suspected or confirmed COVID-19 case, but it has not yet been publicly named.
In addition, there are also seven pre-school/alternative settings that have had cases since the start of September.
North Lincolnshire
There have been at least six schools with cases in North Lincolnshire since term restarted in September.
In addition, John Leggott College in Scunthorpe has also had a positive case of coronavirus.
However, North Lincolnshire Council said it was unable to provide data regarding schools in the region with coronavirus cases.
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