Agenda item

To consider the joint Officers’ report.

The joint Officers’ report was submitted for consideration.

The Managing Director commenced by stating that this was a very topical subject at present and this report provided Members with an update on the preparatory work undertaken at the Council to prepare for the UK’s exit from the EU.

It was noted that the report had also been considered at the Corporate Overview Scrutiny Committee detailing the issues and consequences of exiting the EU and in addition, a Member Briefing had taken place on 16^th October that provided the opportunity to Members to explore the issues further.  It was noted that a Member Briefing had also taken place in January 2019 when the proposed exit date at that time had been 31^st March, 2019.

Whilst the date and way the UK exited the EU was still extremely uncertain a Brexit specific impact assessment had been undertaken and work was continuing to ensure that the Council and community were able to deal with consequence of a departure.

Preparedness work would now continue aligned to the exit date of 31^st October, 2019.  The Council was also working in partnership and as part of the all Wales Network. Work was also continuing in conjunction with Welsh Government and the Welsh Local Government Association to ensure that preparations were joined up across both national and local government.

It was noted that Welsh Government had published an action plan for a no deal Brexit.  Blaenau Gwent had undertaken a high level impact assessment which identified how these risks would impact on the community and the work undertaken to mitigate those risks.  High levels risks included the loss of EU funding and disruption to supply chains. There would also be an impact on the workforce of local businesses and suppliers.  Therefore, there would be a need to continually monitor these issues within the community.

Councillor J. C. Morgan left the meeting at this juncture.

Exiting the EU had also been identified as a risk in the corporate risk register.  Members would recall that a discussion at a recent budget monitoring meeting whereby it was highlighted that there could also be a potential risk to the Council’s own budget.   Officers were also working with the Local Resilience Forum to address any potential civil contingencies issues and officers were part of the Operation Yellow Hammer arrangements.  To ensure all reasonable actions were taken so that the Council was prepared as it possibly could these arrangements were being ramped up in readiness for 31^st October.

The Managing Director said she appreciated that the situation remained extremely uncertain – even if the exit took place on 31^st October any impact would not be expected overnight – this would become evident over the coming weeks and months ahead.  This was a good example of all Council services working jointly in order to try and mitigate the pending situation ahead. The Managing Director concluded by stating that as the situation developed communication would continue with Members and information would be provided to the public on issues as they emerged.  

Councillor S. Thomas left the meeting at this juncture.

A Member commended the report but expressed his concern that he was aware from information received that there was also a possibility of food shortages that could impact on the Council e.g. school meals and there could also be an issue in terms of the continuity of medical supplies.

Councillor S. Thomas returned to the meeting at this juncture.

The Member continued by stating that fiscal studies were also indicating the possibility of £100bn UK deficit which could trigger austerity and deprivation which could adversely impact Blaenau Gwent, its residents and Social Services.

Councillor J. C. Morgan returned to the meeting at this juncture.

The Managing Director in reply to a question in relation to Operation Yellow Hammer confirmed that the risks had been identified as part of the detail of the report.  The Managing Director advised that with regard to:-

-      Food supplies - Welsh Government was continuing to work closely with suppliers but there were no expected issues being highlighted at present. 

-      Arrangements for fuel was being dealt with through civil contingencies and an assurance had been received that fuel could be managed at an all Wales level. 

-      Social Services were working closely with colleagues in Health - the continuity of medical supplies was a key issue that had been highlighted.

-      Council Budget - quarterly budget monitoring reports would highlight any potential risks as they may impact in the future and these risks would have to be taken into account in the Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy.

The Policy Officer advised that the U.K. Government had also published a Readiness Report which contained important preparation steps for local authorities, businesses and third sector organisations.

Community Cohesion - A Member referred to community cohesion and said that tremendous work had been undertaken in terms of the Resettlement Programme.  There was a need for officers to be mindful of this programme to ensure that it was not impacted by Brexit.

The Member continued by stating that he was mindful that:-

-      a considerable amount of European nationals worked for the NHS and GP’s;

-      there may be an influx of British nationals returning from the EU to the U.K. and Blaenau Gwent in particular and there was a need to liaise with registered social landlords who may have vacant properties available to accommodate this influx of people; and

-      the majority of insulin was sourced and came from Europe and this could potentially result in an insulin shortage.

The Policy Officer advised that the Welsh Local Government Association was currently communicating with Welsh and U.K. Government to gain a better understanding of the number of U.K. nationals residing in Europe.

The Corporate Director of Social Services reported that the issue of medical supplies was a problem faced by the whole of the U.K. and Social Services were working with colleagues in Health who had stockpiled medication for a 6 month period.  It was noted that 95% medications were able to be stockpiled but there was 5% of medications (which included insulin) that were unable to be sourced in sufficient quantities.  G.P’s were trying to mitigate and address this issue by recommending a change in medication for some patients but work was continually on-going within Health to address this issue. 

A Member said that the supply of antibiotics was also a worrying concern.

Councillor J. P. Morgan left the meeting at this juncture.

Another Member commended the excellent report and said that under the circumstances was confident that Blaenau Gwent was as prepared as it could be.  He requested that the Managing Director pass on these comments to the officers concerned.

Councillor P. Edwards left the meeting at this juncture.

Upon a vote being taken it was unanimously,

RESOLVED, subject to the foregoing, that the report be accepted and the preparatory work underway to prepare for the UK’s exit from the EU be noted.

Councillor J. P. Morgan returned to the meeting at this juncture.