Council looks at risks to city in the event of a ‘no-deal’ Brexit
CIVIL UNREST, MORE HOMELESSNESS AND A RISE IN HATE CRIME BEING ASSESSED
PLANS are being drawn up for what the city council could have to respond to if there is a “no-deal” Brexit.
The Labour-run Nottingham City Council, which has previously said it supports staying in the EU, has looked at the possible risks of the UK leaving without a deal on Friday, March 29.
It says there is a high level of community cohesion in the city, and there is no specific intelligence to suggest Nottingham is particularly prone to civil unrest.
It is expected that the Government will lose a vote on the current deal today, but the Conservative Government has said a no deal Brexit is not its preferred option.
In the run up to March 29 - when the UK is expected to leave - the council has been asked by the Government to send updates on how its Brexit preparations are going.
More frequent reports would also be sent after March 29, which the council says could be on a “24/7 basis”.
The council’s preparations will then be tested against the Government’s “reasonable worst-case scenarios.”
Risks analysed by the council include: “An increase in hate crime”, “civil unrest” and increases in homelessness and demand for asylum support.
On the issue of potential civil unrest, the council report says there is a: “Range of risks from public demonstrations on one end of the spectrum to more serious disorder based on perceived shortages of supplies/food etc.
“Government advises that there will not be a shortage of food but likely a restriction in choice.
“There could, however, be price increases for certain items.”
On a potential increase in homelessness the report found: “Eco- nomic downturn may ultimately lead to increased homelessness.
“Some landlords and tenants will illegally sub-let, or exploit tenants unable to secure legal tenancies, we know these arrangements are often first noticed through anti-social behaviour, poor waste management and fly tipping.”
It also assessed the risk that there could be: “Reduced community cohesion and increase in hate crime.”
The city council chairs a group called the Local Resilience Forum (LRF) - a multi-agency panel which prepares for a wide range of emergencies, including flooding and other natural disasters.
It has been tasked to create an emergency response plan, and expects to work with other LRFS.
A spokesman for the city council said: “There is national uncertainty about if, how and when Brexit will happen, and a lack of detailed advice from the Government about what various possible scenarios, including no deal, might entail. This report attempts to assess and understand the potential risks in relation to services we deliver.
“We will continue to monitor the situation alongside our partners such as the police, health services and fire service through the Local Resilience Forum, and through that forum, supply weekly updates to Government on if and how Brexit is having a local impact.
“Nationally the risk of disorder has been identified but locally we know we have high levels of community cohesion and there is no specific intelligence to suggest that there will be civil disorder or increased community tensions locally as a result of a no deal Brexit.”