The leader of South Kesteven District Council is exploring legal avenues to challenge a significant reorganization of local government in Lincolnshire, England. The plan, announced on Thursday, will establish two new unitary authorities, expanding the City of Lincoln Council and consolidating seven existing district councils along with the county council into a single Lincolnshire authority.
Ashley Baxter, leader of South Kesteven District Council, described the proposal as "barmy" and a "hammer blow to local democracy." He expressed bafflement and outrage, stating that the proposed administrative structure, which would place Grantham and Gainsborough within the same entity but exclude Lincoln, defies logic. Baxter argued that such a move would disenfranchise residents by centralizing power far from their communities, specifically mentioning Market Deeping, Grantham, and Mablethorpe as areas losing local control.
"An authority where Grantham and Gainsborough are within the same administrative entity, but Lincoln isn't, just beggars belief," Baxter said. "This is taking power away from people in Market Deeping, Grantham, Mablethorpe, wherever, and moving it a long way away."
Baxter also raised practical concerns regarding the logistical feasibility of finding a suitable council chamber capable of accommodating approximately 90 councillors and accompanying officers outside of Lincoln. He indicated that his council would investigate all possible options to overturn the decision.
Housing secretary Steve Reed, whose office is behind the plan, stated that the chosen option is intended to "support devolution most effectively, by creating distinct place-based authorities that are close to the needs of their populations."