The MP for Boston and Skegness said a recent meeting between the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and the county’s council leaders could “rejuvenate” the Greater Lincolnshire devolution deal.
Conservative MP Matt Warman organised the meeting with department minister James Brokenshire MP following the region’s decision in 2016 to reject a previous deal.
But, he said that there had been “an awful lot of money” on the table last time to not revisit the issue again.
Boston and Skegness MP Matt Warman. Photo: Lincolnshire Reporter
He said: “I’ve convened this meeting with the current minister to say: ‘Look as far as I’m concerned there was an awful lot of money and power for Lincolnshire last time round’.
“For a number of reasons it didn’t end up proceeding, I think at the very least we need to understand if there is a way of rejuvenating that process.”
Mr Warman added that if there does not end up being a way of reigniting the deal then the leaders need to leave “no stone unturned.”
“I think its about being broad and having a positive discussion about what the options are,” he said.
“What do we want it to do first of all, my view is very much around what do we want to achieve from devolution in Lincolnshire.
“I think if you get that right then everything else from a governance perspective will fall into play.”
He added that the region needs to look at other areas of the country where combined authorities have been set up and “think carefully” about what that means for Lincolnshire.
But North East Lincolnshire Council leader, Ray Oxby, previously said that “it would be too early” to tell whether or not residents in the region would support another devolution bid.
Greater Lincolnshire council leaders launched the bid for devolved powers and funding in September 2015. Photo: Stuart Wilde
The county council and South Kesteven District Council previously rejected a devolution offer of £450 million back in 2016.
Further meetings are planned between council leaders on the matter.
Two years ago, the Greater Lincolnshire devolution deal was rejected over fears that an elected mayor would have created more bureaucracy.
The deal on offer would have created a new combined authority with a directly elected mayor.
The new authority would also have received £15 million a year for the next 30 years for infrastructure projects.
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Exciting news for MyLocal app users and The Lincolnite readers! Our latest update is now available to download from your app store and comes packed with the best local news experience you can enjoy.
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