Lincolnshire County Council’s leader has said he was “surprised” the area has not been invited to bid for a devolution deal as the government revealed its 12 missions aimed at spreading opportunity more equally across the country on Wednesday.
Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove unveiled the 400-page strategy today which sets out how the government will improve services such as education, broadband and transport by 2030.
For instance, it says that by 2030, every part of England that wishes to have a ‘London-style’ devolution deal will have one.
Lincolnshire, however, is not mentioned in the first round of talks on this, with invites instead going to Cornwall, Derbyshire & Derby, Devon, Plymouth and Torbay, Durham, Hull & East Yorkshire, Leicestershire, Norfolk, Nottinghamshire & Nottingham, and Suffolk.
Lincolnshire County Council leader Councillor Martin Hill said: “I’m surprised that Lincolnshire has not been included, especially after the Secretary of State used Lincolnshire as the backdrop for the launch of the white paper [when he visited Cleethorpes]!
“Lincolnshire is strategically important to many of the government’s priorities, including for the environment, and we feel our plans already meet the objectives set out in the white paper.
“Delaying levelling up for Lincolnshire will hold back the government’s ambitions as well as the improvements we need for residents and businesses.”
He said the councils had added “a lot more detail” to their “ambitious” plan since being initially invited to start expressing an interest two years ago.
He said councils across Greater Lincolnshire now had a 10-point plan, and were vying to be the 10th council to secure a county devolution deal.
“Lincolnshire has huge potential and this is a chance to address historical underfunding of our area.
“Our plan is designed to create thousands of new high-wage, high-skill jobs, revolutionise road, rail and digital infrastructure and transform towns to create a new future where living standards rise further.”
He said it was promising that the government recognised local leaders and decision-makers were best placed to control and target funding for their areas.
“To make a success of levelling up in the north, including the Humber Freeport, the government really needs to agree a devolution deal for Lincolnshire.
“Delays to our devolution deal will delay the government fulfilling their own aspirations, so we are urgently seeking discussions with Ministers to progress this as soon as we can.”
The 10 point plan for Lincolnshire includes:
Delivering infrastructure for:
Strategic growth and jobs in key sectors
Green recovery and a low carbon Lincolnshire
Transport that connects people to jobs and places
Unlocking housing and sustainable growth
Managing our unique rural environment
Develop skills and opportunity by:
Skills culture that promotes aspiration across Lincolnshire
Growing skills needed for future jobs in key sectors
Creating pathways and apprenticeships into new jobs
Increasing employment opportunities and productivity
Accelerating innovation, research and technology
Councillor Rob Waltham, leader of North Lincolnshire Council, said: “This further commitment to levelling up is another example of Government backing plans across the country to drive prosperity.
“We will, with Government, build on the announcement today to deliver on our plans which will enable businesses from the Humber throughout Lincolnshire to unleash their potential. It is an exciting time and together greater Lincolnshire will thrive.”
Councillor Philip Jackson, Leader of North East Lincolnshire Council, said:“Our joint work from the Humber to the Wash has some clear outcomes to target investment where it’s most needed, and we know we’re best-placed locally to take on new responsibilities and funding.
“Working together and speaking loudly and clearly for our area will be the best way to achieve this.”
Devolution documents issued in 2016.
Lincoln MP Karl McCartney recently predicted that Greater Lincolnshire could become a unitary authority “very soon”, with a central mayor and a group of elected “super councillors”.
“I’m saying wake up and smell the coffee Lincolnshire, we’re going to have a mayor,” he told reporters.
Business leaders in the county have also expressed disappointment about the lack of devolution for Lincolnshire, but said there are some “very positive prospects” among the government’s missions.
Katrina Pierce, the Federation of Small Business’ development manager for Lincolnshire said: “From town centre regeneration to local public transport reform, small businesses in our area would benefit from serious focus on how our local environment looks, feels and works.
“However, as with all of these big, broad flagship agendas, the devil will be in the detail, or perhaps in the delivery.
“Small businesses must be part of the delivery process of these improvements, so smaller contractors, house builders and health and wellbeing therapists, for example, need to be able to bring their transformative skills to give life to these plans.”
Education boost for the county
There was some good news from the paper, however, as it was revealed Lincolnshire will become one of 55 new Education Investment Areas with aims to improve education for disadvantaged children and young people across England.
It means the county will receive “targeted support” including priority for new specialist sixth form free schools, eligibility for retention payments to help schools maintain the best teachers in high priority subjects, and access to a new pilot programme to improve pupil attendance.
The government wants to ensure 90% of children leaving primary school in England are reaching the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths by 2030.
Boston and Skegness MP Matt Warman responded to the news, saying: “No child or young person should be limited by where they grow up – they should be supported to get a world class education and the skills they need to succeed at school and beyond.
“I welcome the extra support Lincolnshire is receiving from this Conservative government, including funding to help schools retain the best teachers and priority for new specialist sixth form free schools to give talented children from disadvantaged backgrounds the highest standard of education.”
All district councils in Lincolnshire have been approached for a comment.
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The 2024 Lincolnshire Business Excellence Awards are now open for nominations, seeking to spotlight outstanding businesses within the Greater Lincolnshire area.
Hosted by Stonebow Media, the publisher behind The Lincolnite and the MyLocal platform, this prestigious event is designed to honour the achievements of the regional business community.
Thanks to the headline sponsorship from the University of Lincoln Enterprise & Research department, the Lincolnshire Business Excellence Awards are a unique opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the contributions of local enterprises.
The awards are also sponsored by Ringrose Law, Duncan & Toplis, Sills & Betteridge and Pearson Hydraulics. A small number of sponsorship opportunities remain available. Contact [email protected] to discuss partnerships.
Businesses can nominate themselves across eleven awards categories:
The deadline for nominations is May 24, with the judges’ deliberation lunch set for May 29.The judging panel includes business experts and professionals from Lincolnshire and event sponsors.
The Lincolnshire Business Excellence Awards 2024 gala will take place at the Engine Shed on July 12, 2024.
Enhance profile & credibility: Securing an award or being shortlisted acts as a powerful endorsement, signaling trustworthiness to potential customers and helping to distinguish your business from competitors. Displaying the award on your communications can significantly boost your brand’s perception.
Insightful focus & feedback: The application process encourages deep reflection on your business strategy and direction, offering invaluable feedback and clarity, even for new ventures.
Team confidence boost: Recognition from the awards can significantly uplift your team’s morale, affirming the value and potential of your business in the eyes of industry experts.
Marketing & PR boost: Being associated with the awards, even as a nominee, can enhance brand visibility, providing ample content opportunities for social media and other marketing channels.
Networking opportunities: The awards connect you with local business leaders and experts, offering a platform to seek advice, share ideas, and foster future partnerships. The ceremony itself is an excellent occasion for networking with peers and celebrating mutual successes.
Potential to win: Entering offers a chance to win and gain all the associated benefits, but even without taking home a trophy, the process can yield significant advantages for your business.
A Lady Gaga loving kitten owned by a couple who run a charity for disabled pets featured on Channel 5’s The Pet Psychic.
Pet Psychic Beth Lee-Crowther comes to the aid of pet owners and in Tuesday night’s episode she met Cookie the kitten, a depressed camel, and looked at whether a dog can predict the future.
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