Uncertainty making it difficult to plan ahead, warn councils

UNCERTAINTY over Brexit negotiations is making it difficult for councils to plan ahead for leaving the European Union, the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) has warned.

The association, which represents the interests of local authorities in Wales, has raised concerns over the ‘confused’ messages from the UK government.

It follows reports that councils were struggling to prepare Brexit impact studies due to a lack of clarity on the UK’s future direction.

A spokesman from the WLGA said: “While Welsh councils have taken the initiative to undertake their own analyses of, and planning for, possible Brexit scenarios, the national messages from central government are confused and qualified.

“The bottom line is that there is a “making this up as we go along” quality to the deliberations at Westminster.

“The recent stress on preparing for no deal is a case in point.

“The WLGA view is that any responsible government would seek to avoid this disastrous outcome at all costs.

“Because of this uncertainty, it is very difficult for our councils to commit resources until there is a clearer idea of what is needed.”

The leader of Torfaen council, Cllr Anthony Hunt, echoed those concerns.

Cllr Hunt said: “I’m extremely concerned about the potential impact of Brexit on our local economy and these concerns are intensified by the ongoing confusion and uncertainty within the UK government.

“Torfaen has benefitted from significant European funding in recent years, with millions invested in projects that have supported regeneration and infrastructure as well as ongoing projects that, for example, are supporting people to find work.

“The future of this regional funding post-Brexit is among the key concerns that we have as a council.”

Monmouthshire County Council has placed the subject of leaving the EU on its corporate risk register and a council spokesman said it is “monitoring developments closely.”

Similarly Newport City Council said it is working on how to prepare for the potential impact of Brexit with the support of the WLGA.

Blaenau Gwent council has not prepared a Brexit impact study yet but is continuing to work with the Welsh Government on the issue.

And a spokeswoman for Caerphilly council said it is continuing to work with the WLGA, Welsh Government and other councils to consider the impact of Brexit and consider what steps can be taken to “mitigate this impact in our communities.”

A spokeswoman for the UK government’s Department for Exiting the European Union (DExEU) said: “We are committed to engaging closely with business, civil society and government in all parts of the UK on our exit from the EU.

“As part of this we have regular meetings with the Welsh Government through joint ministerial committees and ministerial forums.

“A DExEU Minister also met the WLGA earlier this year alongside LGAs from all four nations.”