July 8, 2016 9.30 am This story is over 92 months old

Brigg hosts latest devolution deal business debate

Business and local authority leaders debated the pros and cons of Greater Lincolnshire’s devolution deal at the latest in a series of debates. The event, hosted by the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), was held at Forest Pines Hotel in Brigg. The LEP Chair Ursula Lidbetter MBE was joined on a panel by Baroness…
Mark Webb from e-factor, Baroness Liz Redfern, David Clugston, Ursula Lidbetter and Councillor Peter Wheatley from North East Lincolnshire Council at the Greater Lincolnshire LEP Big Debate in Brigg

Business and local authority leaders debated the pros and cons of Greater Lincolnshire’s devolution deal at the latest in a series of debates.

The event, hosted by the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), was held at Forest Pines Hotel in Brigg.

The LEP Chair Ursula Lidbetter MBE was joined on a panel by Baroness Liz Redfern, leader of North Lincolnshire Council, Councillor Peter Wheatley of North East Lincolnshire Council, Mark Webb from e-factor and David Clugston from Clugston Construction.

Questions were taken from the floor ranging from a mayor for the combined authority to education and skills, bureaucracy, telecommunications and business rates.

Among the themes to emerge from the discussion was the need to enhance skills and education and to improve transport infrastructure in the area – though not all the topics discussed will necessarily be impacted by devolution.

Earlier this year Greater Lincolnshire’s ten councils and the LEP signed a devolution deal described by Baroness Redfern as a “heads of terms agreement” with the government.

The agreement is not legally binding and a consultation process is currently ongoing. If devolution goes ahead a mayoral combined authority will be created giving Greater Lincolnshire more control over decisions on themes such as transport, housing and water management and will get an extra £15 million to spend each year.

A consultation process is currently under way. Greater Lincolnshire businesses and residents have until August 8 to give feedback by visiting this website.