Lincoln City Council is set to discuss a proposal to expand its boundaries, merging with parts of West Lindsey and North Kesteven to form a new “Greater Lincoln” authority. The plan will be reviewed in emergency meetings this week ahead of the government’s deadline for local government reform proposals.
The proposed authority would incorporate Lincoln alongside several neighbouring wards, aligning with urban interests rather than the surrounding rural areas. The council argues this would preserve Lincoln’s historical self-governance while creating efficiencies.
The government is encouraging councils to consolidate into larger single-tier authorities, with a suggested population target of 500,000. Lincoln’s proposal, which includes three separate authorities for the region, would not meet this threshold but is projected to save between £4 million and £26 million annually, with an estimated one-off transition cost of £15 million.
The council will submit its initial proposal to the government this week, with final plans due in November.
