PKC briefed on impact of Brexit

Workforce and finance issues highlighted

Perth and Kinross Council has warned it may struggle to recruit migrant workers and raise income from housebuilders after Brexit.

This comes after Jim Valentine, the council’s deputy chief executive, briefed members on the impact of Brexit last week.

The assessment looked at how Brexit will impact on the region, but did not look into how to combat these issues.

Currently, 90 members of council staff are EU or EEA nationals, and it is estimated around seven per cent of independent care home workers and eight per cent of independent home care workers are EU nationals.

These employees are currently being offered support and advice from the Ethnic Minority Law Centre.

The assessment also said the number of migrant workers coming to Perth and Kinross fell by 19 per cent last year.

According to the report, this could have an affect on seasonal jobs in key areas such as agriculture, food and drink, hospitality, tourism, construction, meat processing and horticulture.

It is also estimated around 8000 EU citizens are living in Perth and Kinross, with 19 per cent of all births to EU citizens.

The impact assessment looked at how the council’s finances could be affected, and what funding it could expect post-Brexit.

From 2013 until 2020, £8.4 million has been secured from the EU for projects in Perth and Kinross supporting creativity, rural development, employability and poverty, although according to PKC both the UK and the Scottish governments have said this funding will be guaranteed after Brexit.

The report added: “Aside from the potential loss of grant income, wider economic uncertainty caused by concerns around Brexit may lead to a lack of investment by businesses and a general slowdown in the construction and housebuilding sectors in particular.

“If this happens, there will be a potential negative impact on the council’s ability to generate income from planning and building warrant fees, and developer contributions.

“General economic uncertainty could also lead to price rises for key goods and services purchased by the council.”

Other areas covered in the impact assessment include access to EU markets, the cost of goods, legal uncertainties, the impact on businesses which depend on cross-border transits,and EU citizens who want to work in Perth and Kinross facing additional requirements for work, residence and travel.

The impact assessment has been welcomed by Labour councillor Alasdair Bailey.

He said: “Given the uncertainty ahead, this assessment stands us in good stead to ensure continuity of services to local communities.

“The changes coming up are likely to be significant both on a national and local level and I’m pleased to see that previous concerns that the council had ‘its head in the sand’ were completely unwarranted.

“Brexit is not in our hands but as local councillors we have a duty to focus on ensuring that the welfare of residents is maintained whatever lies ahead.”

Economic uncertaintly could also lead to price rises for key goods