Lincolnshire County Council is the county council that governs the non-metropolitan county of Lincolnshire in England. The non-metropolitan county is smaller than the ceremonial county; the latter additionally includes North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire which are both unitary authorities and therefore independent from the county council.
History Lincolnshire was one of the historic counties of England. From the middle ages it was administered in three parts, called Holland, Kesteven and Lindsey, each of which had their own quarter sessions. From 1409 the city of Lincoln was also an independent county corporate. When elected county councils were created in 1889 taking over the administrative functions of the quarter sessions, each of Lincolnshire's three parts became a separate administrative county with its own county council, and Lincoln was made a county borough, maintaining its independence.Local Government Act 1888
That arrangement continued until 1974 when the Local Government Act 1972 abolished Holland County Council, Kesteven County Council and Lindsey County Council and the County Borough of Lincoln, creating a Lincolnshire County Council for the first time.Local Government Act 1972
In 2025 the council became a member of the new Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority, along with North Lincolnshire Council and North East Lincolnshire Council. The combined authority is chaired by the directly-elected Mayor of Greater Lincolnshire.
Governance
Lincolnshire County Council provides county-level services. District-level services are provided by the area's seven district councils: Boston Lincoln East Lindsey North Kesteven South Holland South Kesteven West Lindsey
Much of the county is also covered by civil parishes, which form a third tier of local government.
Political control The council has been under Reform UK majority control since 2025.
The first election to the council was held in 1973, initially operating as a shadow authority alongside the outgoing authorities before coming into its powers on 1 April 1974. Political control of the council since 1974 has been as follows: (Put "Lincolnshire" in search box to see specific results.) Party in control Years 1974–1977 1977–1993 1993–1997 1997–2013 2013–2017 2017–2025 2025–present
Leadership The leaders of the council since 1974 have been:
Councillor Party From To Anthony Thorold 1 April 1974 May 1981 David Guttridge May 1981 8 Sep 1987 Bill Wyrill Nov 1987 May 1993 Rob Parker May 1993 May 1997 Jim Speechley May 1997 13 Sep 2002 Ian Croft 4 Oct 2002 18 Mar 2005 Martin Hill 24 Mar 2005 May 2025 Sean Matthews 23 May 2025
Composition Following the 2025 election, and subsequents changes of allegiance up to May 2026, the composition of the council was:
Four of the independent councillors form the Independent Group.
Executive
Party key
Post Party Councillor Ward Chairman and Deputy Chairman Chairman of the Council Stephen BunneyMarket Rasen Wolds Deputy Chairman of the Council Mike BeechamAlford and Sutton Leader and Deputy Leader Leader of the council Sean MatthewsTattershall Castle Deputy Leader and Executive member for Communities Robert GibsonSpalding East Cabinet members Executive Councillor for Environment Danny BrookesIngoldmells Rural Executive Councillor for Resources Thomas CattonLouth South Executive Councillor for Highways and Transport Michael CheyneBoston West Executive Councillor for Adult Care and Health Steve CleggSleaford Executive Councillor for Growth Liam KellySwallow Beck and Witham Executive Councillor for Community Safety Alex McGonigleLouth Wolds Executive Councillor for Children's Services Natalie OliverWoodhall Spa and Wragby
Elections
Since the last boundary changes in 2017 the county has been divided into 70 electoral divisions, each of which elects one councillor. Elections are held every four years.
Premises The council has its main offices and meeting place at County Offices on Newland in Lincoln. The building was built in 1926–1932 as the headquarters for the former Lindsey County Council, one of Lincolnshire County Council's predecessors.
Chief executives Chief executives have included: 1973–1979: David Drury Macklin 1983–1995: Robert John Dudley Proctor 1995–1998: Jill Helen Barrow, who was the first woman chief executive of a county council in England."People", Times Education Supplement, 18 August 1995. Retrieved 12 November 2017. 1999–2004: David Bowles 2005–2018: Tony McArdle"Lincolnshire County Council chief executive Tony McArdle to step down after 12 years", Lincolnshire Echo, 11 January 2018., 23 February 2018. 2018: Keith Ireland"Lincolnshire County Council appoint Keith Ireland as new chief executive",Lincolnshire Echo, 8 May 2018."'We do not share the same approach' - chief executive of Lincolnshire County Council to leave just months after joining",Lincolnshire Echo, 26 November 2018., Lincolnite 26 November 2018., Lincolnshire Reporter, 26 November 2018. 2020–2026: Debbie Barnes"County council leaders gagged over departure of chief executive", Boston Standard, 16 December 2018.
References