The Minister for Local Government, Devolution and Regional Growth, has provided an update to the Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) programme, following the pause and review announced in September.
The decision for Lincolnshire - which would have seen the creation of a new Lincoln unitary council and a new Lincolnshire unitary council - has now been withdrawn by government.
The government now intends to review the existing proposals and make a new decision by early next year. They are not asking for us to propose any new models for our area.
Read the minister’s letter on LGR
Cllr Sean Matthews, leader of Lincolnshire County Council, said:
"While I'm glad that the decision for Lincolnshire has been withdrawn, we're essentially back in the same place we were before they announced their chosen model in July. There are still four proposals on the table, a loose timeline and continuing uncertainty; the government has taken a three-month step backwards.
"I'm not surprised if residents are confused about what is happening. But whilst the uncertainty continues in Whitehall, rest assured we're focussed on getting on with the day job and delivering services that support our residents, our communities and our county."
The earliest possible vesting day for a new council or councils in Lincolnshire (when they could start operating) is 1 April 2029.
Elsewhere in the country, the government is minded to continue LGR in Warwickshire, Gloucestershire, Worcestershire, Oxfordshire, and East Sussex with the models announced in July, and shadow elections will take place in May 2028. The decisions for the other areas have also been withdrawn.