Greater Lincolnshire devolution deal consultation starts
A six-week public consultation on the proposed Greater Lincolnshire devolution deal has begun.
Plans to hand responsibility for such areas as transport and housing to a directly elected mayor were announced in March.
The deal would also see the area given £15m a year over the next 30 years.
The online consultation, which includes the possibility of merging the role of mayor and Police and Crime Commissioner to save money, runs until 8 August.
The deal would see the creation of a 'Mayoral Combined Authority' made up of elected councillors from the ten local authorities in Greater Lincolnshire; Boston; City of Lincoln; East Lindsey; Lincolnshire; North East Lincolnshire; North Lincolnshire; North Kesteven; South Holland; South Kesteven and West Lindsey.
If approved, voting for an elected mayor to chair the new authority could take place in May 2017.
According to government documents the agreement "will enable Greater Lincolnshire to accelerate the delivery of its Strategic Economic Plan, which aims to increase the value of the Greater Lincolnshire economy by over £8 billion, creating more than 29,000 new jobs, and delivering at least 100,000 new homes."