Meeting documents

To consider a report by the European Policy and Funding Officer.

The Committee considered a report by the Service Director – Economy on the implications of Brexit for the County Council in terms of policy and funding challenges and opportunities which would occur as a result of the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union. How Brexit was likely to affect the Council, and what arrangements were being put in place to address this was detailed in the report and expanded upon by the Service Director.

The Committee were provided with an understanding of what was being done by the Council in preparation for Brexit and what had been identified as areas of concern and interest. The risk to business interests; employment considerations; wage pressure; and financial pressure on health and care were seen to be of critical importance and it was considered that these should be addressed as a priority.

The way in which Brexit was likely to affect the fundamental practices of the United Kingdom was readily acknowledged and how the County Council was able to address those issues that directly affected it was of critical importance and not to be underestimated.  To ensure that services continued to be delivered as efficiently and effectively as they could be for economic prosperity to be assured, proposals were being drawn up for how to best address this, so that the Brexit process and what it entailed was as successful as it could be.

Given that legislation and regulations, economy, trade, public services, employment, education and the environment would all be fundamentally affected by Brexit, skilful management of the process would be needed to ensure that the outcome was beneficial to the United Kingdom and in its best interests. The Committee recognised that those qualities applied to the County Council as well, which had an important part to play in ensuring that Dorset’s best interests were met. The Committee were conscious that there were obviously limitations to what the County Council could influence but, where there was scope for this to be done, every effort should be made to ensure the Authority was in the best shape that it could be to be able to continue to bring success to Dorset.

Whilst some Councils and businesses elsewhere were awaiting greater certainty about how Brexit would materialise before committing resources to respond, it was considered that it would be in Dorset’s best interests to be as proactive as it could be in readiness for the opportunities and challenges which lay ahead.

Given this, the Committee were now being asked to endorse the formation of a Brexit Advisory Group so that the County Council could be as adaptable, flexible and receptive as it might be. This Group was designed to act as a means of optimising the opportunities and addressing those challenges to be faced. The People and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee at its meeting on 11 October 2017 had considered this to be the right approach and the Committee thought likewise. Having the means to facilitate and enable Dorset’s businesses and residents in the choices they were able to make about Brexit would go a long way to Dorset remaining successful, during and after this process. 

The Committee recognised the considerable challenges which lay ahead, despite the uncertainty over the detail at this stage, and recognised that the County Council needed to be ready to be as adaptable and responsive as it could be to meet those challenges face on and to be able to benefit from the anticipated opportunities which would undoubtedly also arise.

Accordingly the Service Director - Economy was now being asked to develop the proposed scope and Terms of Reference for consideration by the Group at it first meeting; membership of which should comprise relevant members and officers.

Resolved

That the scope, actions, and governance arrangements being proposed in preparation for Brexit be endorsed and the part the County Council could play in influencing the process and outcomes acknowledged.

Reason for Decision

In supporting delivery of the Council’s Corporate Outcome priorities, as expressed in the relevant policies, strategies, and plans.