Impact assessment request thrown out
PKC accused of burying head in the sand
A meeting of Perth and Kinross Council has been branded a “farce” after councillors refused a call for an in-depth Brexit impact study.
At a meeting of the full Perth and Kinross Council on Wednesday, SNP councillors Mike Williamson and Stewart Donaldson called on the new chief executive Karen Reid to commission an impact assessment for the region on Brexit.
But the proposal was thrown out when Labour member Alasdair Bailey proposed an amendment to continue with the current policy.
Pete Wishart, SNP MP for Perth and North Perthshire, said the Tory-led administration had voted to “bury their heads in the sand”.
He added: “Brexit is one of the biggest issues facing the country and it really is beyond parody that Conservative, Labour and independent councillors have voted to block the creation of an impact assessment for the Perth and Kinross Council area.
“Various other local authorities across Scotland have produced these reports so that businesses, council officials and members of the public can better understand the post-Brexit outlook locally.”
Speaking at Wednesday’s meeting, Cllr Williamson said: “We have a thriving tourism industry and cultural offerings and opportunities for EU citizens, particularly in the care sector.
“If there is a reduction in EU nationals in this area we must understand these risks and not to do so is irresponsible.
“We have already experienced some early effects with a 20 per cent reduction in EU nationals living and working in Perth and Kinross already.”
However, Cllr Bailey said the move would be “counter productive” for the council to produce such an assessment, and would involve lengthy speculation. His motion was seconded by Cllr Mike Barnacle.
After the meeting, Cllr Bailey defended his actions: “It is by no means my intention to downplay the impact of Brexit in our county. “I was a remain voter myself. “I brought my amendment because I have every faith in the work already ongoing on assessment and preparedness at Perth and Kinross Council for Brexit.
“I feel that council is already doing as much as it can under very difficult and uncertain national conditions and I don’t want to burden officers with additional deadlines.”
A draft briefing report on Brexit risks held on Tuesday summarised the council’s current position and highlighted the growing concerns around the potential for a no deal scenario.
The meeting also considered the potential impact on the council workforce, council finances, and the wider labour market as well as potential positive impacts.
A spokesperson for Perth and Kinross Council said: “Since the European referendum in 2016 Perth and Kinross Council has been working in close partnership with local and national groups to ensure that the potential impact of Brexit on local residents, particularly those who have chosen to relocate to this area, and the impact on all service users and businesses, is considered as part of planning for the future.
“The council’s position on national groups, such as the Scottish Cities Alliance, means that activity across the country is used to inform local planning.
“On a local basis, working with business and community support partners, we are ensuring residents, service users and businesses who will be most affected by Brexit can be given the information and support they need as it becomes available.
“This work will continue in the coming months as the national arrangements for March 2019 become clearer.” Cllr Alasdair Bailey, Labour Williamson, SNP Cllr Mike