South Holland, Boston and East Lindsey leaders react to the decision to pause Local Government Reorganisation

Frustrated council leaders have criticised the Government's decision to pause plans for major political change. All Lincolnshire councils were due to be scrapped and replaced with two large untiary authorities in 2028 as part of the biggest shakeup in a generation. Coun Nick Worth, leader of South Holland District Council, Coun Dale Broughton, leader of Boston Borough Council and Coun Craig Leyland, leader of East Lindsey District Council. Photo supplied That process — known as Local Government Reorganisation — has attracted criticism and legal challenges. As a result, the Government today pressed pause on the whole process — and South Holland District Council leader Nick Worth, Boston Borough Council leader Dale Broughton and East Lindsey District Council leader Craig Leyland have now called on the Government to provide certainty for residents and council staff. The trio of councils makes up the South and East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership — and all three authorities will now hold elections in 2027 in their existing form. The leader said: "Today's Government announcement on the pause and review of Local Government Reorganisation in Lincolnshire is deeply frustrating and adds further uncertainty to residents and staff who want clarity on the future of this county. "Considerable time, effort and money has been spent on delivering proposals which the Government wanted and which are now subject to delay and uncertainty due to what the Government is today saying is because of legal advice, whether the right Government processes were in place and whether the Government is compliant with the law. "This delay and uncertainty will no doubt place even more financial strain on councils up and down the country. Despite this, the Partnership is in a good position to consider what the next steps are available to us and we hope that the Government now works with us to deliver what residents ultimately want: good quality services aligned to local need. We can confirm that local elections will go ahead in April 2027 on existing council boundaries. "What we will be asking Government for over the coming days is certainty." The three councils were due to be lumped in with South Kesteven and bits of North Kesteven and West Lindsey to form a new Lincolnshire Council, covering a huge geographical area. An enlarged city council would also be formed of Lincoln and bits of North Kesteven and West Lindsey. The partnership had favoured a north/south split — but the Government chose Labour-run Lincoln City Council way to carve up the map. It's not now clear as to whether these plans are ditched or simply on ice. However, a separate proposal to create a new Spalding Town Council is not thought to be affected by the change. What do you think? Let us know your views in the comments below…