Uncertain town hall leaders try to keep ‘steady ship’
LOCAL AUTHORITY leaders in Yorkshire are doing their best to keep a “steady ship” and build up resilience in the face of uncertainty over a possible no deal Brexit.
A meeting of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA), which oversees transport and large infrastructure projects, was told yesterday that all eventualities were being planned for but, such is the current uncertainty, a no-deal Brexit could not be ruled out.
Managing director Ben Still said: “We have put together implications for a no-deal scenario, and that is still probably a sensible thing to consider.
“We do have flexibility with funds, but we are engaging with central government. We are making continued efforts to get firms to invest in the city region from overseas.”
Leader of Bradford Council Susan Hinchcliffe said: “It is pretty chaotic nationally, but we are doing our best in the region to ensure we have a steady ship and it benefits as many people as possible.
“We need to make sure we are resilient – regardless of what happens nationally, we need to make sure we get transport and skills right.”
She added that the UK Prosperity Fund – a proposed national fund which would replace EU funding for infrastructure projects after Brexit – would be important for the region in the future.
Coun Hinchcliffe added later: “We need to work together, albeit in such a febrile national political climate that we cannot control.”
During the meeting in Leeds, WYCA members were also given a report from officers into organisational work to support preparations for the UK’s exit from the EU.
In York, city councillors will receive an update on the work taking place to ensure the authority is as prepared as possible in the event of a no-deal Brexit at an executive meeting on December 20.