What is Local Government Reorganisation?
As part of its plans for devolution, the Government announced a programme of local government reorganisation that will replace all two-tier county and district councils and small or failing unitaries with new unitary councils.
These much larger unitary structures would then join together in groups to form Strategic Authorities (those with the elected mayors).
The Government believes that local government reorganisation, together with devolution over a big strategic area, will improve public services and support economic growth.
Lincolnshire is currently a two-tier area as there are seven district and borough councils, including North Kesteven, and the county council. Within Greater Lincolnshire there are also two smaller existing unitary councils – North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire. Whilst not within Greater Lincolnshire the small unitary of Rutland neighbours South Kesteven.
What does this mean for North Kesteven?
Unless there is a complete reversal of the policy set out in the Government’s Devolution White Paper, there is currently no route by which we can continue to operate as a district council in the future.
As things stand, we will become part of a larger unitary council as a result of local government reorganisation.
Most new unitary authorities are expected to be in place by 2028.
North Kesteven cannot opt out. All councils must follow the roadmap that is mandated in December’s White Paper and 'no change' is not an option.
The Government has been clear that it wants all small unitaries and two-tier areas to bring forward proposals for reorganisation. It intends to deliver this process as quickly as possible, including through legislation, where it becomes necessary to ensure progress.
The Government set this out in a letter a letter from the Minister for Local Government and English Devolution sent to all council leaders on 5 February 2025. To view the letter, visit the GOV.UK website.
What are the interim proposals?
In the letter sent to councils on 5 February 2025, the Government explained that it wanted interim plans for local government reorganisation by 21 March 2025. The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has advised councils that March is primarily a checkpoint to get assurance that councils are working together to develop proposals in line with the Government’s criteria.
March interim plans can describe more than one potential proposal for an area, if there is more than one option under consideration.
What is the North Kesteven interim proposal?
Working closely with South Kesteven, our proposal is for three new unitary councils to cover the Greater Lincolnshire and Rutland areas. Our proposals were presented to Full Council at its meeting, held on 18 March 2025.
To view further details of the Full Council meeting, visit our Democracy webpage.
Have other interim plans been submitted from Lincolnshire?
Yes, a number of other interim plans have been submitted. These include a large single unitary covering all the existing Lincolnshire district council areas submitted by the County Council, plus two unitary solution options.
What happens next?
The Government has committed to written feedback on the plans received from each area, with this initially expected for Greater Lincolnshire by early May.
As of Thursday 22 May the feedback letter has yet to be received. Government has confirmed in it working through letters in alphabetical order. We now expect to receive the letter for Greater Lincolnshire on Tuesday 3 June and will update this page accordingly once it has been received.
Once feedback has been received, we will develop out full proposal. It will be supported, as with our interim proposal by clear evidence so that we can be confident it will have a positive impact for our residents, businesses and communities. Wider engagement with residents will form part of this process with details, once confirmed, added to this webpage and communicated via a wide range of communication channels.
When and how will a decision be made?
Councils undergoing local government reorganisation submitted their interim plans on 21 March 2025. Full proposals will then be submitted by most areas by 28 November 2025, a smaller number have a deadline for end September 2025, whilst Surrey had to submit their proposals for earlier in May 2025.
The Government has said it aims to carry out public consultation around proposals for local government reorganisation in early 2026. The Government expects to make its final decision by summer 2026.
Who will have the final say?
The final decision on proposals for local government reorganisation will be taken by the Government.
Council leaders are responsible for holding discussions between different local authority areas, to help produce full proposals by 28 November 2025. These proposals must also be supported by evidence and widespread engagement. It will then be down to the Government to consult.
Other than working together to bring forward plans and proposals for their area, councils will not get a say in the Government’s final decision.