Greater Lincolnshire has approved a bold new Mayoral Budget for 2026–27, outlining a transformative investment programme aimed at improving transport, boosting skills, and accelerating long‑term economic growth across the county. The new budget uses the full powers of devolution to deliver improvements closer to communities, ensuring local priorities drive decision‑making.
The Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority confirmed the plans at its latest formal meeting, setting out significant commitments for the year ahead without introducing a mayoral council tax precept.
The budget prioritises major transport upgrades, high‑quality skills and training opportunities, and strategic investment in business and communities. Key projects include:
- Development of the first Transport Hubs in North Hykeham and Gainsborough
- Significant improvements to the A16 and A46
- Introduction of veterans and care leaver bus cards
- Establishment of a Mayor’s Digital Academy
- Opening of the new Lincolnshire Institute of Dental and Oral Health
- Early-stage work on proposals for a Trades College, Advanced Manufacturing Zones, and Defence and Ag‑Tech Centres
The Combined Authority says the goal is to ensure every part of Greater Lincolnshire, from rural villages to coastal towns, benefits from the opportunities devolution brings.
Since the Mayor’s election, Greater Lincolnshire has already secured major funding previously out of reach. Achievements include:
- £53 million in Local Growth Funding through direct negotiation with government
- A further £20 million secured to expand adult skills programmes, including employer‑led Skills Bootcamps
- A long‑term £131 million transport budget, enabling sustained improvements in connectivity and infrastructure
These early wins are intended to accelerate regeneration, improve access to training and employment, and strengthen the region’s economic foundations.
Over the past year, Greater Lincolnshire has taken several steps to raise its national and international standing, including launching Transport for Greater Lincolnshire, establishing the national Rural Transport Group, and delivering a successful Great Exhibition, strengthening trade links with the United States, India, Taiwan and Qatar.
Combined, these actions support Greater Lincolnshire’s ambition to become a more connected, resilient and economically competitive region.
The budget supports the Mayor’s long‑term ambition for Greater Lincolnshire to be a place where skills, transport, business growth and community investment work hand‑in‑hand to create opportunity for everyone.
Dame Andrea Jenkyns, Mayor of Greater Lincolnshire, commented:
“This budget is the moment Greater Lincolnshire steps out of the shadows and takes control of its own future.
“For too long, decisions about our county were made elsewhere—through an urban lens that left our rural and coastal communities behind. Devolution has changed that.
“We now have the powers, the voice and the ambition to deliver real improvements: better transport, skill training, stronger businesses and infrastructure built for the long term.”
Investment will target both immediate improvements – such as better public transport – and long‑term economic development to help the county thrive through the next decade and beyond.
Image credit: iStock
