2026 By-Election
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Lincolnshire County Council – Election Results
2024 By-Election Results
2023 Election Results
Gainsborough Town Council – Uncontested Election
West Lindsey District Council – Election Results
Your Councils are changing
Councils in Lincolnshire are changing in a process known as ‘Local Government Reorganisation’ or LGR. These changes are planned to come into effect from 1 April 2028.
Here you can find the latest updates, understand what the changes mean for your area and follow progress as implementation moves forward. Welcome to the Lincolnshire LGR Hub | Greater Lincolnshire LGR Hub
May 2027 – Elections to shadow councils
Elections are expected to take place for the two new shadow unitary councils.
Residents in Lincolnshire will elect new councillors to ‘shadow authorities’ roughly one year before the existing councils are abolished, to oversee the transition before the new councils goes live.
For about 12 months, these shadow councils will work alongside existing councils to recruit senior leaders, agree the first budgets, set up governance arrangements and design how the new councils will operate from day one.
Make sure you are prepared by registering to vote so you can take part in the May 2027 elections. Register to vote – GOV.UK
Based on the recent decisions by Government for other areas, it is expected that current councillors will continue to represent residents until 31 March 2028.
May 2027 to March 2028 – One-year transition period
During this period, the shadow authorities will prepare the new councils to take on all local services. This includes:
- Agreeing budgets and priorities
- Setting up systems, governance, and processes
- Ensuring services can transfer smoothly.
- Finalising how the new councils will operate from 1 April 2028
This work takes place in the background. Residents continue to receive services as normal from their existing local authorities.
1 April 2028 – First day of the new councils (known as Vesting Day)
Vesting day is the official ‘go-live’ date when county and district councils will stop operating. The new unitary authorities will take over full responsibility for services, staff, and assets.
On 31 March 2028 existing councils will formally dissolve. From 1 April 2028, the new councils will become fully operational and assume responsibility for local government services.


