Counting cost of ‘no deal’
COUNCIL FACING FINANCIAL IMPACT EVEN IF BREXIT AGREEMENT REACHED
A ‘NO DEAL’ Brexit will come at a cost to Calderdale Council – whether it happens or not.
And the financial impact could be felt by the end of this month with staff having to be diverted away from other council projects if a ‘no deal’ scenario still looks likely, the council’s Audit Committee was told.
Councillors were considering the latest report on the impact of the UK leaving the EU, scheduled for March 29.
The report said: “There will be a cost to the council in terms of additional resources diverted from delivering existing core services and projects and impacts on delivery of these projects and services from late January if a no deal exit from the EU is the likely outcome at that point.
“It is clear that it is a responsibility of public bodies to make neces- sary plans, and a project team will be implemented requiring some displacement of staff from existing activities.”
But a formal request would also be made to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) for resources to support businesses and public bodies prepare for and manage the impact.
A final risk assessment will be compiled for the council’s Cabinet to consider on March 18 when the picture should be clearer.
Officers compiling reports – the first to Audit Committee was last October – produce them with consideration of the technical bulletins and guidance notes which the Government has issued.
The latest is also based on the draft withdrawal agreement – which MPs are set to vote on next week – and political declaration.
Local Government Association briefing notes, media and information published by other local authorities, and preparatory work being done by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, of which Calderdale is a member alongside Kirklees, Leeds, Bradford and Wakefield councils, is also taken into account.
Committee chairman Clr Stephen Baines said the council had previously had to spend money on “just in case” scenarios.
He felt Europe would not allow trade difficulties to happen and added: “Common sense will prevail.
“It’s right that we do consider these things but we will cope whatever happens.”
Leader of the council Clr Tim Swift said it would be challenging for councils to ensure they were prepared.