THE fate of Long Sutton and Bourne’s registration offices should be decided on a case-by-case basis.
That’s the recommendation put forward by some of Lincolnshire’s county councillors, who were asked to put their views forward on money-saving proposals for the authority.
The two offices have been under threat since March, when they were announced as among five offices to be considered for closure in a county-wide review.
The proposals have met opposition from local residents who would be forced to travel miles from their own communities to register births, deaths, stillbirths, marriages and civil partnerships.
In Long Sutton, parish councillor Bobbie Ashton collected almost 850 signatures against the plan.
A final decision is expected to be made by the county council’s executive committee on January 10 but on Wednesday, members of the communities scrutiny committee were asked to have their say.
Sutton Elloe county councillor Chris Brewis is chairman of the committee.
He said: “Communities scrutiny considered the report on registration and celebratory services. We noted that the leader, Coun Martin Hill, was to visit the five communities whose offices were under threat.
“We resolved to support the third option, which was to look at each community on a case-by-case basis, and where appropriate find innovative ways to ensure the service continued.
“Distances in a huge county like Lincolnshire are an issue. The huge petition from Long Sutton, organised by Coun Bobbie Ashton, received due consideration as well.
“I am pleased that the wide response to the consultation has been noted, and hope that many of the worries may be allayed by what is now proposed.”