September 25, 2019 1.10 pm This story is over 54 months old

New Greater Lincolnshire councils partnership for ‘demand services’

They say it will make services ‘efficient’
Councillors from the executive at Lincolnshire County Council, North Lincolnshire Council and North East Lincolnshire Council. Picture: LCC

Local councils across Greater Lincolnshire are set to work together on “demand services” as part of a new partnership.

Lincolnshire County Council, North Lincolnshire Council and North East Lincolnshire Council have agreed to join forces in order to provide “more efficient” local authority services.

Among the areas that the authorities will look at include waste, adult services, children services and public health.

It will mean that the councils will look to procure service contracts together, as well as securing a “fairer deal” from central government to improve roads, ports and broadband infrastructure.

20 councillors from the executive of each Conservative local authority met at county offices in Lincoln to agree the arrangement.

Lincolnshire County Council leader Martin Hill

Councillor Martin Hill, leader of Lincolnshire County Council, said the three authorities were committed to working together on services.

“All our councils are committed to providing good services to our residents, and, together, we can do that in a more effective and efficient way,” he said.

“We’re determined to innovate at every opportunity, making services better rather than just keeping them the same. This is no easy task at a time of hugely reduced funding, and with both demand and our responsibilities growing.

“However, working together I’m sure we can achieve a great deal.”

Councillor Rob Waltham, leader of North Lincolnshire Council. Picture: Calvin Robinson.

Meanwhile, Councillor Rob Waltham, leader of North Lincolnshire Council,said the partnership will mean that the councils can be more productive in procuring contracts.

He added that most residents will not see change in their “demand services”, but it will mean that the authorities are “more efficient” in providing them.

“It will mean that we are much more productive, that we provide greater value for the taxpayer, but most importantly that we continue to deliver for residents across Lincolnshire,” he said.

“The positives are that power, particularly from a volume perspective, comes from volume and size and by procuring across the whole of Lincolnshire it makes sense to me to do that.”

Councillor Waltham added that the agreement will also allow the councils to have “strong conversations” with government about funding.

North East Lincolnshire Council leader, Philip Jackson. Picture: Calvin Robinson.

Councillor Philip Jackson, leader of North East Lincolnshire Council, said the new partnership will achieve the best for residents across the county.

“When we took control of the council in May, one of our commitments was to look at more innovative and creative ways of working to make the best use of the limited resources we have,” he said.

“Working with our neighbouring authorities potentially offers a number of opportunities to do just that and I’m looking forward to the next stage of developing this work into some concrete proposals which will hopefully benefit not only our local residents, but people across the whole of the Greater Lincolnshire area.’’

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