Lincolnshire’s local authorities and the Greater Lincolnshire LEP Board have agreed that the LEP will not integrate into a local authority by 24th March 2024, when direct core funding comes to an end.
The Government had wanted the work of the LEPs to be absorbed into a local authority, where funding will be sent instead, but the Greater Lincolnshire body will continue to operate in the medium term, with any future integration aligned with a potential devolution deal for Greater Lincolnshire.
Neal Juster, chair of the Greater Lincolnshire LEP, said: “The Greater Lincolnshire LEP continues to serve us exceptionally well and we are proud of the role all partners have collectively played in working together to deliver economic development, infrastructure, and major programmes across our area in recent years.
“As a board and a team, we are committed to working with all partners to continue our work, and to develop next steps leading up to devolution, recognising the importance of a strong business voice and a successful economy for Greater Lincolnshire.”
Councillor Martin Hill, leader of Lincolnshire County Council, said: “Across Greater Lincolnshire, we want to ensure that the voice of businesses in our area continues to be heard. The participation of the private sector has been critical to the success of LEPs, and we have a shared commitment to making sure that businesses play an active role in shaping economic policy going forward.
“Given our ambitions for devolution, we believe there is no reason to transfer responsibilities for economic development away from the LEP at this time.”
Councillor Rob Waltham MBE, leader of North Lincolnshire Council, said: “We’ve worked closely with businesses through the LEP, supporting the creation of more, well paid jobs and backing their ambitious investment plans across the whole of Lincolnshire.
“This will continue with our equally ambitious commitment to securing a game-changing devolution deal which will make a positive difference to every family in the county – businesses will be an essential part of this.
“Businesses across our area have proved themselves to be instrumental in making a huge contribution to productivity for the whole of the country through providing fuel, food and energy for the UK and they will play an integral role in Lincolnshire’s ambitious future.”
