Lincolnshire County Council’s new Reform UK administration has abruptly abolished its Flood and Water Management Scrutiny Committee—drawing cross-party criticism and even a social-media outcry from campaigners.
💸 Cost-saving or cutting corners? Council leader Sean Matthews defended the move:
“We were elected on a mandate of reducing waste and simplifying the council, and this will do that.” He promises flood oversight will now sit within the existing Environment Committee, which will meet eight times a year instead of the Flood Committee’s four.
🌊 “Reckless, foolhardy and wrong” Labour leader Karen Lee slammed the decision:
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“Abolishing this committee is reckless, foolhardy and wrong.” She warned that diluting focused scrutiny risks neglecting crucial flood-defence coordination.
🤝 Partnerships at risk The Flood and Water Management Scrutiny Committee previously held Anglian Water, the Environment Agency and Internal Drainage Boards to account. Conservative councillor Ian Carrington added:
“Flooding isn’t just about technical solutions; it requires a web of complex relationships. Abolishing the committee will reduce cooperation and silence voices which should be heard.”
Her remarks underscore widespread alarm that, following Storms Babet and Henk and January’s deluges, Lincolnshire needs dedicated flood scrutiny rather than a generalist environment panel.
“Whether you think it’s man-made or a natural cycle, we won’t neglect flooding.”
🚧 Defeated amendment Opposition councillors proposed an amendment to keep the Flood Committee, but all Reform members voted it down—highlighting the administration’s resolve to push through its cost-cutting agenda despite unanimous local dissent.
