Insights and information

Humber bridge from aboveWhat is Devolution?

Devolution sees central Government transfer powers and money to regions across the country. This allows people who know their areas best to decide where money is spent.

This has already happened in Cambridge and Peterborough, Greater Manchester, Liverpool City Region, North of Tyne, South Yorkshire, West of England, West Yorkshire, the West Midlands, the Tees Valley and more recently, North Yorkshire and now Hull and the East Riding, and Greater Lincolnshire.

Devolution involves the creation of combined county authorities – legal bodies that bring councils together to decide on agreed issues that cross boundaries.

Does this mean a merger of councils?

No. The three councils (Lincolnshire County Council and North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire Councils) and the seven district councils (East and West Lindsey, North and South Kesteven, Boston Borough Council, City of Lincoln Council and South Holland District Council) will work together with a mayor on projects and schemes which cross traditional council boundaries.

The Local Government White Paper released in 2024 will mean changes to councils across England but those changes will not affect the creation of the Greater Lincolnshire CCA.

So, what is different and how will this improve things for Greater Lincolnshire?

The new authority will grow over time. For example, the first year of the deal we will see money and control handed down in areas such as transport, adult skills (budget responsibility from 2026), homes and communities, economic growth, and the environment. This will expand as the deal matures with more control of finances and power agreed with Government.

Other benefits include an enhanced working relationship with government departments to protect our coastline, natural and historic environment and boost tourism. The authority will also take on a new role leading the national debate on transport for rural communities to address challenges across ours and other areas. The new elected mayor will ensure Greater Lincolnshire has a stronger voice in Westminster.

How does a combined county authority work?

The new authority will provide local accountability and transparency. The newly elected Mayor will chair a board of six voting members from the three councils and other non-constituent members who will have a vote on some matters. The new authority will have wider membership from other councils, business and one of the police and crime commissioners for the area.

What does an elected mayor have to do with all of this?

The mayor will champion the needs of the area and continue to make a strong case to the Government for more investment and to encourage new ideas to be piloted in Greater Lincolnshire.

The mayor was a requirement to get the level of deal set out in the original proposal. The best deals come with a mayor – it is the very best way to ensure greater control over future local decisions and it brought about the most power and most money with the greatest accountability.

This person will be elected on four-year terms and will be accountable to residents and ensure a stronger voice locally, nationally and globally for Greater Lincolnshire.

The elected Mayor is not a replacement for the civic mayors or chairs, which are ceremonial roles.

Mayoral election

On Thursday, 1 May 2025, residents of the Greater Lincolnshire area will be able to vote for the first Mayor of the Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority (CCA).

The Greater Lincolnshire CCA has been made possible because of a devolution deal between the government and the three upper tier councils of Lincolnshire County Council, North East Lincolnshire Council and North Lincolnshire Council.

Why is a mayor needed?

As part of the devolution deal, the Greater Lincolnshire CCA must have a directly elected mayor.

A key part of the mayoral role is to act as an advocate and global ambassador for the combined county authority and the residents who live here.

The mayor will lead the CCA, working with partner councils, business representatives and stakeholders on transport, housing, regeneration, employment and skills, economic growth and investment.

They will have the powers and responsibilities to make decisions which affect every community in Lincolnshire.

The mayor’s term of office will run for four years from 2025 to 2029.

How do I vote for a mayor?

The elections are on Thursday, 1 May 2025.

Residents need to be a registered voters to be able to take part in the elections. All residents will receive information about the candidates standing for the mayoral position in April.

The polling booths will be open in every local authority area on Thursday, 1 May 2025 from 7am to 10pm.

Declaration of result

The results of votes from electors in each local authority in the Greater Lincolnshire CCA will be collated. The candidate with the most votes will win. This is called the “first past the post” voting system.

This will be announced at Grimsby Town Hall. The result of the election is expected to be declared on Friday 2 May and will be available on the website.