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Petition to Oppose Mega-Council




Our petition opposing the Conservatives’ plan to merge ten councils into two mega-councils across Lincolnshire is gaining momentum, with residents voicing their concerns about the threat to local democracy.


The Conservatives’ proposal, actively encourged by the Labour government through their Local Government Reorganisation initiative, seeks to abolish smaller councils in favour of distant, mega-councils. This plan has sparked widespread anger in North East Lincolnshire, where communities fear losing their identity, representation, and direct connection to decision-makers.


The petition, launched by the Liberal Democrats, calls for the following actions:


1- Abandon plans for a mega-council that will harm North East Lincolnshire.

2- Commit to proper consultation and transparency before any further reorganisation.

3- Protect local democracy by keeping decisions in the hands of local communities.

4- Oppose any measures that would cancel local elections.


Liberal Democrat Group Leader Cllr Nicola Aisthorpe has condemned the proposal, calling it “an attack on local democracy” and urging residents to unite in opposition.


Cllr Aisthorpe said: “The Conservatives want to get rid of North East Lincolnshire Council and create a mega-council with other areas, which is unfair to the people here. The Labour Government also want to reorganise and abolish councils, which would take away local control. Both parties seem ready to take power away from local communities and give it to faraway decision-makers who don’t understand the problems we face.


“Even more concerning is that the Conservatives’ letter endorsing the merger was sent without consulting residents or the full council. Decisions of this magnitude should never be made behind closed doors or without input from all elected representatives. 


“Labour’s record is no better. From axing winter fuel payments, hiking bus fares or ignoring the concerns of WASPI women, this Labour government has repeatedly failed the people of North East Lincolnshire. Families are being crushed under the weight of soaring food prices, rising bills, and the overall cost of living, yet Labour has done little to ease these burdens. We can’t let them, along with the Conservatives, push through changes that ignore our communities and move decision-making even further away from local people”.


The Liberal Democrats warn that the proposed reorganisation risks erasing North East Lincolnshire’s identity, weakening representation, and forcing a one-size-fits-all system that ignores the area’s needs. They also criticise the lack of public consultation, saying it has left residents feeling frustrated and ignored.


Cllr Loyd Emmerson voiced his concerns about the impact of the proposal, stating: “Creating mega monster unitary authorities, as has been done in other parts of the country, takes away so much localism and dismantles what were once small district councils that maintained a crucial link between residents and their elected representatives. It’s a mockery of democracy and creates unnecessary barriers for councillors, who will be required to focus on issues tens of miles away instead of addressing their own residents’ concerns. Local people should have the final say on how their local government boundaries look—not have decisions dictated by Whitehall.”


Liberal Democrats argue that North East Lincolnshire has already endured the negative consequences of poorly conceived council mergers, particularly during the Humberside County Council era, when the area was overlooked and underfunded.


Reflecting on previous reorganisations, Liberal Democrat Cllr Steve Beasant warned that this proposal could undo years of progress in local governance. “I was elected as a North East Lincolnshire councillor just after the major local government reorganisation that abolished Humberside County Council. Residents were overjoyed, as they felt Humberside was too large and dominated by Hull, which made all the decisions. When North East Lincolnshire Council was established, people embraced it because it was smaller, closer to the people, and believed to be more democratic. This proposal would undo all those hard-won gains and take us back to a system that failed our residents.”


Liberal Democrats are urging local people to sign the petition to send a strong message to Westminster and to North East Lincolnshire Council that our community will not stand for another ill-conceived attack on its identity, representation, and future.


To add your name to the petition, visit this link: www.grimcleelibdems.org/savenortheastlincs

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Grimsby & Cleethorpes

Liberal Democrats

We work hard all year round, not just at election time!

Email: grimcleelibdems@gmail.com

Address: Charles Kennedy House, 3a Kingsway, Cleethorpes, DN35 8QU

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Published and promoted by Steve Beasant on behalf of the Grimsby and Cleethorpes Liberal Democrats at Charles Kennedy House, 3a Kingsway, Cleethorpes, DN35 8QU. Hosted by Wix.

Published and promoted by Mike Dixon on behalf of the Liberal Democrats, 1 Vincent Square, London, SW1P 2PN. Hosted by Wix.

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