Lincolnshire 'mega-council' voters need more time

One official said Lincolnshire was "too big" to have a single unitary council

People should be given more time to consider plans to scrap Lincolnshire's councils and replace them with a single larger authority, a councillor said.

The current two-tier system comprises one county council and seven district councils.

Martin Hill, the leader of the county council, wants a referendum to take place in May.

Richard Wright, of North Kesteven District Council, said people need time to understand what was involved.

He said: "I think to scrap existing councils and form one mega-council is not a question the public will be able to digest in the time they've been given.

"It's a very complex question."

'Simpler system'

Mr Wright, who is on the ruling executive at North Kesteven, claimed people in his region could face higher council tax bills under the new system.

He also claimed they could lose touch with local representatives as there would be fewer of them.

In a message on Twitter, leader of East Lindsey District Council Craig Leyland said Lincolnshire was too big to have a single unitary council.

However, Mr Hill said: "The current system of councils in Lincolnshire is one we can no longer afford.

"A unitary model has successfully been adopted in many areas of the country, and has proved to be simpler, better for services, more local and, most importantly, costs less to run."

He claimed a unitary system could save up to £150m in the first five years.

He wants people to be offered a vote at the same time as the local council elections on 4 May.

Lincolnshire councils:

• Boston Borough Council

• City of Lincoln Council,

• East Lindsey District Council

• Lincolnshire County Council

• North Kesteven District Council

• South Holland District Council

• South Kesteven District Council

• West Lindsey District Council