There is still time to give your views on the Greater Lincolnshire Devolution

The consultation will close on August 8, at 5pm.

Local authorities, including West Lindsey District Council, have joined together to ask for some powers, responsibilities and funding from Government to be devolved to Greater Lincolnshire, meaning more decisions on public services, including transport and housing, would be made locally, rather than at a national level.

If all 10 councils sign up to this, a ‘Mayoral Combined Authority’ would be established. This would be made up of elected councillors from the 10 councils and a representative from the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership, and chaired by the Directly Elected Mayor, chosen by Greater Lincolnshire residents.

The Combined Authority would not replace existing councils or affect the services they already provide. It would only be responsible for the new powers and funding devolved from central Government, which include transport, housing, skills-training and flood risk management.

Under the deal an additional £450 million over the next 30 years would be provided for investment in housing and infrastructure. It could also help to develop a better approach to skills training provision and criminal justice services in the area.

The consultation also seeks views on whether, if a Mayoral Combined Authority was established, the public would want to see the role of Mayor combined with that of Police and Crime Commissioner if it reduced administrative costs.

Responses will be reviewed before each council will then have to formally agree the deal later this year.