Agenda item

            The Committee considered the following report:

“1.0Purpose of Report or Summary of main Issues

1.1       The purpose of this report is to provide Members with a brief summary of the work being undertaken in council to ensure the council’s day 1 readiness for Brexit

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is asked to note the contents of this report and agree to a more detailed update report being brought in the future.

3.0       Main report

3.1       As Members are aware, the UK Government has stated its intention to withdraw from the EU on 29 March 2019. A two year transition period has been proposed to allow for consequent changes to be implemented, however there is no agreement to date.   Although there is still significant uncertainty as to the nature (and final date) of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, the council has begun preparations to ensure that the council’s business will continue to be delivered as usual, regardless of the terms of the withdrawal agreement. These preparations include:

3.2       a)  Assessment of impact & business continuity planning

            A council-wide audit of services is currently being undertaken to identify the nature and extent of potential impact on services. (In particular regarding funding; personnel; procurement/contracts; and legislation).  An assessment of risk to identified key service areas will be carried out and an action plan to mitigate the impact and ensure business continuity will be developed. Nigel Grimshaw, Director of City & Neighbourhood Services Department, is the senior responsible officer for progressing this work.

3.3       b)  Engagement with Departments in the Assembly

            All NI councils have been invited to engage with Departments in the Assembly to assist in exploring the impacts, potential opportunities and any contingency planning following Brexit.  The Executive Office has circulated Day 1 Planning Guidance to all councils. This sets out key principles to be used by local councils to work in conjunction with the Northern Ireland Civil Service to develop delivery plans, to ensure that all policy areas and services have been considered and that there are no ‘surprises’ or unexpected impacts on any government service on Day 1 following an EU exit.  Council officers have attended meetings with DEARA and DfE and with TEO earlier this year and further meetings are planned for the near future.

3.4       c) Engagement with Northern Ireland Local Government       Association (NILGA)

            NILGA has published several papers in relation to Brexit and has been identifying practical actions to support councils. One of which is to bring together key personnel on a task and finish basis to scope the potential impact on council services, identify solutions and highlight gaps that need to be addressed at a UK level.  To implement this NILGA have extended the remit and membership of their Economy, Investment and Rural Development Working Group to create an all-council team of Members and support officers who would convene regular meetings to consider relevant issues.  BCC has been asked to nominate two Members to attend these meetings and this is being progressed through the council’s ‘appointment to outside bodies’ process.

3.5       Financial & Resource Implications

            There are no specific resource implications attached to this report.

3.6       Equality or Good Relations Implications/Rural Needs Assessment

            There are no specific equality or good relations implications attached to this report.”

            The Committee noted the contents of the report and agreed to receive a more detailed update report at a future meeting.

            The Committee agreed also, in order the help identify the potential impact of Brexit on the Council, community organisations, the business and other sectors, to the holding of two workshop/events, with one event being internally focused and the other to host the external sectors.