An earlier plan for a Lincolnshire devolution was proposed, which would have included all constituent boroughs as well as the county council,[5] failed in 2016 after it was rejected by South Kesteven District Council and Lincolnshire County Council with the main issue being primarily over the condition in the deal of having to accept a directly elected mayor in a rural area that lacks the urban development that is more typically associated with having directly elected mayors.[6][7]
Following this outcome a new Greater Lincolnshire devolution deal but was announced on 13 November 2023 but without the involvement of any the constituent boroughs.[1][8] The deal proposes to devolve certain powers, i.e. housing, transport, education and skills as well as environmental matters to GLCCA. The consultation by the constituent councils received significant support in favour of the GLCCA.[9]
As well as increased local decision-making, the deal included and an extra £24 million in funding per year transferred from the UK government over the next 30 years, the budget to be overseen by a directly elected mayor.[10]
The combined authority board is made up of the directly elected Mayor of Greater Lincolnshire, two members from each of the constituent authorities and up to six non-constituent and associate members.[20]
