Agenda item

(a) Brexit Update

The Head of Resources provided the Committee with an update on the Council’s position in relation to Brexit.  The Council had appointed the Chief Executive as the Council’s Brexit Lead officer.  There were regular meetings via the Local Resilience Forum and the Brexit Resilience and Opportunities Group which was a multi-disciplinary group discussing national and regional issues.  Phil Norrey was the regional representative and collected local issues from local representatives which were fed through to Central Government each week.  The Council had been granted approximately £50k to prepare for Brexit.  This was intended to prepare both the Council and the community.  Central Government have issued a communications tool which had been passed to the Customer and Corporate Communications Manager.  Central Government had also issued Operation Yellowhammer which sets out risk assessments on some of the main potential issues. 

He advised that the regional issues to note were as follows: Plymouth port had been classified as a non-priority port and had not received the same level of funding as ports such as Dover.  They were trying to increase capacity but were drawing up plans for a lorry park somewhere in Plymouth, which could be one of the main roads.  Plymouth was a main port for the export of fish and shellfish products and the concern was that businesses across the South West would be affected.  There were also issues around export certificates and delays in issuing.  HMRC were offering training to export intermediaries and it now seemed that Environmental Health Officers could sign licences.

He further advised that potential fuel issues had been identified as an issue, but no firm answer had been given.  Another Local Authority had spoken with a fuel supplier who refused to disclose their plans as they considered that they were commercially sensitive.  Local authorities were having various engagement sessions with businesses to try to highlight any issues or impacts.  In relation to agriculture, a letter had been submitted on behalf of the Heart of the South West to DEFRA seeking various asks.  A copy of the letter would be circulated to the Committee.  There was a concern that foodbanks may have additional demand but less supplies. 

He reported that as a Council we have been considering the various risks that might affect the Council or the community and these have been fed back to Phil Norrey.  Possible fuel shortages have been looked into which would have an impact on our services and also local services such as buses.  The Council had considered purchasing an additional fuel tank.  Discussions have taken place with North Devon+ regarding putting in place some possible support for the situation post Brexit.  The support could include signposting people to the right places to talk to about different issues such as business rates relief, tax etc.

In response to questions, the Head of Resources advised that the procurement of an additional fuel tank of similar size would cost approximately £30,000, and would provide storage of fuel which would last 10 days.   The existing fuel tank was coming to the end of life and would need to be replaced in the near future.  If there was a fuel shortage, the Council would prioritise which vehicles were used.  The option of hiring a fuel tanker could be explored.  The potential reduction in the supply of foodbanks had not been quantified.  There was a need for the Council to consider prioritising the use of the funding awarded by the Government to assist communities and businesses.