Council Bosses, County-wide, to Discuss Brexit

Published on: 16 Jan, 2019
Updated on: 20 Jan, 2019

By Rebecca Curley

local democracy reporter

Surrey council bosses will discuss Brexit strategies on Friday (January 18, 2019) when chief executives gather for their regular meeting.

While MPs were voting on the government’s Brexit plan, councillors in Guildford were debating the impact leaving the EU will have on the borough.

Around 10% of Guildford Borough Council’s workforce are EU citizens, with calls being made for “generous gestures” to pay for settlement status applications.

James Whiteman

Council managing director James Whiteman said he would raise the issue of partnership working at the meeting with other council chief executives on Friday.

Guildford overview and scrutiny committee met on Tuesday (January 15) to consider a report into the potential impact of Brexit on the borough.

One concern is the potential loss of staff.

Joan Poole, head of internal audit at GBC, said: “The ramifications of Brexit have been on our radar for some time. But like many other authorities, we have been waiting for the outcome of negotiations to understand what the potential impact will be on our council and our services.

Cllr David Goodwin

“We are now assessing risks on a no-deal arrangement.”

She said they were liaising with other agencies such as the police, NHS and firefighters as well as Surrey County Council and other boroughs and districts through the resilience forum.

Cllr David Goodwin (Lib Dem, Onslow) raised concerns about lack of information coming from SCC which he said seemed to be “top secret”.

Cllr Jenny Wicks

Cllr Jenny Wicks (Con, Clandon & Horsley) said she was “very sad” to see one Guildford company was moving sensitive work on the Galileo navigation project to Germany to ensure it can still deliver a contract.

Officers are considering paying for settlement status and remain to stay if Brexit goes ahead, with councillors asking if their spouses and children can also be supported.