Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive.

This paper provides an update on Stockport Council’s preparation for the UK’s departure from the European Union. This builds upon the report presented to Scrutiny in January 2019 titled “Brexit: Preparing for the Potential Impact on Stockport Resources and Services.”

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to note the report.

Officer contact: Laureen Donnan, 0161 474 3181, laureen.donnan@stockport.gov.uk

The Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) updating the Scrutiny Committee on the Council’s preparations for the UK’s departure from the European Union. The report had been prepared prior to the extension to Article 50 that would delay the departure date.

In response to questions it was confirmed that the Council had been asked by the Government to consider issues in relation to food supply. It was commented that there was limited scope for the Council to coordinate food supplies but there was no expectation of food scarcity although certain products may not be as widely available.

It was commented that delays with importing goods may also impact on the Council’s delivery of its capital programme.

It was also confirmed that that the Cabinet Office had announced it would be refunding additional costs incurred in preparing for the European Elections on 23 May 2019 and the Council had begun that activity.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the briefing note of the Leader of the Council and the Cabinet Member for Reform & Governance.

The report provides an overview of the areas of potential scope for the Council to consider as a result of the UK’s exit from the EU (Brexit). On 23rd June 2016 the UK voted to leave the European Union. The UK Government invoked article 50 of the Treaty of the European Union in March 2017, culmination in the UK formally leaving the EU on 29th March 2019 or at the end of any transition period.

This paper in particular advises the Council of the need to consider the implications of a “No Deal” Brexit along with an approach to ensure that post exit the Council takes account of the implications of being outside of the EU.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to note the briefing note.

Officer contact: Laureen Donnan, Deputy Chief Executive, 0161 474 3181

A joint report of the Leader of the Council and the Cabinet Member for Reform & Governance was submitted (copies of which had been circulated) providing an overview of the areas of under consideration by the Council as a result of the UK’s exit from the EU on 29 March 2019. The report set out some of the implications for the Council in the event of the UK leaving the EU without any transitional arrangements.

The Leader of the Council emphasised that he believed it prudent for the Council to plan for a ‘No Deal Brexit’, and that this was in keeping with the civil resilience work being undertaken by the GMCA. He also made clear that no claims were being made about the robustness of the analysis contained in the report but that its purpose was to give assurance to the Scrutiny Committee that the Council was prepared.

The Chair welcomed the involvement of senior officers in the preparations.

Further comment was sought in relation to references within the report to elections readiness. In response it was stated the Council had made preparations for a range of possible scenarios that involved the electoral process.

It was confirmed that were it necessary that a reference group of councillors to discuss further related issues would be drawn from the Corporate, Resource Management & Governance Scrutiny Committee.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.