The leader of Lincolnshire County Council has accused opposition candidates of 'speculation' over the issue of creating a 'super council' for Loncolnshire.

Coun Martin Hill (Con-Folkingham Rural) hit back as a group of candidates from opposition parties and groupings said rival Conservatives had taken a 'vow of silence' on the matter.

The opposition candidates say this "should be a key issue" in next week's election on May 6.

Their statement said: "Local people may be aware that the existing Conservative county council leadership in Lincoln has proposed the abolition of SKDC and all other existing district councils to replace them with a single Lincolnshire super-council serving over 1.2 million people from Stamford to Scunthorpe.

"Conservative district council leaders oppose this plan and instead wish to see two or three new large councils covering Greater Lincolnshire.

"Voters have a right to know where candidates stand on the issue of local government reform. As candidates, we believe that local government should be kept local and oppose the creation of a single Lincolnshire super-council.

"Conservative candidates appear to have taken a vow of silence on this issue until after the election and so we challenge them to tell the electorate where they stand before the election takes place next Thursday (6 May)."

The five candidates are Harrish Bisnauthsing, Stamford East (Lib Dem);Chris Burke, Stamford East (Lab), Richard Cleaver, Stamford West (Ind), Phil Dilks, Deepings East (Ind) and Ashley Baxter, Deepings West and Rural (Ind).

Coun Phil Dilks continued: "Aside from potholes, the biggest issue in this election is the Conservative plan to abolish local councils and create a gigantic Greater Lincolnshire Authority, lumping Deepings and the rest of South Kesteven with Grimsby, Scunthorpe and the south bank of the Humber.

"It's an idea that was rejected by local vote in a referendum a few years ago, but one that the Conservative leadership at Lincs County Council – and apparently the Government – seem determined to pursue

"By its nature, it would mean decisions being taken much more remotely from the people whose lives they affect. And the millions of pounds in 'bribes' offered as an incentive by the Government would clearly be directed to drive the economic development of the Humber ports, making us the poor relation.

"Conservatives from our area – including the Leader of SKDC – who expect to be elected to the county council on Thursday are known to be uncomfortable with the idea.

"In a previous county election, the Conservatives kept their plan to close libraries unless volunteers could be found to run them a total secret until after their had been re-elected.

"On local government reform, voters deserve to know whether those standing in these elections will put their political party whip first – or the needs of local people."

Coun Dilks added: "There's still time for the Tories to come clean."

Richard Cleaver, Independent candidate for Stamford West, said: "Stamford is already marginalised by Lincolnshire County Council, and now the county's Conservative leadership wants to abolish the county council, the seven district councils, and the two existing unitary councils and replace them with just one single giant Greater Lincolnshire council.

"I do not think that it is in Stamford's interests to be just a small town on the edge of Greater Lincolnshire with decisions about it being made by councillors from as far away as Grimsby, Scunthorpe, and Gainsborough."

Nub News has sought comment from Conservative Party candidates in Stamford and the Deepings, plus district and county council leaders Kelham Cooke (Con- Stamford East) and Martin Hill (Con- Folkingham Rural), who are both standing for election to the county council on May 6.

County council leader Martin Hill replied: "Any changes to the structure of local government requires parliamentary approval and the government has made it clear that it is not intending to make any changes for Lincolnshire at this time.

"So, there is no point in engaging in speculation at present but all councils in Lincolnshire are in favour of more devolution from central government and we all await their devolution white paper with interest.

"If unitary councils were created in the future, the county council and district councils would all be abolished but in the meantime all Conservative run councils will concentrate on delivering good, cost effective services as usual."