Decision details

Cabinet received a report of the Chief Executive regarding the potential impact on the County Council’s resources and services of Brexit.

It was noted that this report focussed specifically on the issues facing the County Council. The Leader reported that he had personally attended a number of meetings about the impact on local government as a whole and acknowledged that the situation was fast moving. An assurance of support to complete any residency requirements was given to the c. 300 EU nationals employed by the County Council. The Leader also recognised the potential impact on traffic through the port of Portsmouth in particular, on trading standards and confirmed that he was seeking reassurance that EU related income to Hampshire through grants and the Common Agricultural Policy would be replaced following Brexit.

The Chief Executive introduced the content of the report, highlighting three key themes of: general preparation, resilience in the event of there being no Brexit deal and the workforce implications.

With the agreement of the Chairman, Councillor Collett addressed Cabinet. Thanking officers for the report and welcoming the Leader’s reassurances around EU funding, he cited his own positive experience of European co-operation and explained why he would like to debate the issue in Full Council. . 

With the agreement of the Chairman, Councillor House addressed Cabinet. He expressed disappointment that the report did not consider wider implications of Brexit on the County. He noted that by February the process of agreeing a Brexit deal would be further advanced.

It was confirmed that the remit of the report had been to evaluate the impact on Council services, however it also highlighted the extent of work undertaken at a regional and national level. The section of the report setting out the next steps, including reference to the wider economic impact and the proposal for a Hampshire Conference was drawn to Cabinet’s attention. The work and preparations of the local resilience forum was outlined, particularly in the areas of travel, services, information and data sharing and public disorder.

Cabinet agreed that as a body, the County Council was responsible for its own service delivery and therefore it was correct that the report focussed on the potential impact on the delivery of those services. It was reported that opportunities for investment in Hampshire were being explored on an ongoing basis. It was confirmed that the Council motion would be considered at the next meeting of Cabinet and that the respective mover and seconder of the motion would be given an opportunity to speak.

The recommendations in the report were considered and agreed. The decision record is attached.