Surrey Prepares Range Of Safety Measures To Handle Possible Brexit Problems

Published on: 26 Sep, 2019
Updated on: 30 Sep, 2019

By Rebecca Curley

local democracy reporter

Vulnerable adults who rely on care workers could be affected if Britain leaves the EU on October 31, councillors have been told.

Staff shortages and tracking illegal goods through trading standards are among the problems Brexit could create for Surrey County Council (SCC), a report shows.

The council has been given £87,500 from the £20m pot from central government to aid Brexit preparations. District and borough councils are to get £17,484.

The report to councillors at an SCC cabinet meeting on Tuesday, September 24, lists several problems and suggested how they can be addressed.

Cllr Colin Kemp

Deputy leader Cllr Colin Kemp said: “Although nobody can be sure exactly what this may look like, everybody agreed there will be some disruption.

“We have put in place some resilience in all the processes and procedures to make sure we are as prepared as we can be.”

He said the county has been working with the boroughs and districts, the Local Resilience Forum, health agencies and business communities.

Cllr Tim Oliver

The leader, Cllr Tim Oliver said: “We all started with a blank piece of paper not knowing what we were expecting to plan for.” He repeated: “We are as prepared as we can be.”

Here are five ways Brexit would impact SCC: from the cabinet report

Trading Standards

Risk: The council uses EU databases that help support service delivery, for instance, to help Trading Standards understand which goods, foods and businesses pose threats. There are also databases and servers based in EU member states.

Action: The council has been identifying those servers and systems and assessing any potential impact on services due to changes in accessibility to EU databases and information flow. It will maintain a watching brief and align contingency plans with guidance from government and the Information Commissioner’s Office.

Staff shortages with suppliers

Risk: Potential staff shortages with contractors, particularly those who provide care and construction workers. Any staff shortages for suppliers may incur additional costs to the council to maintain service provisions and prompt potential diminution of services for some of the most vulnerable residents.

Action: The council frequently liaises with providers and suppliers to understand additional risks, establishing contingency plans and providing support for their preparations.

Traffic management

Risk: Congestion building on Surrey roads due to border delays and lorries stacking up on motorways leading to the ports.

Action: The council and Surrey’s Local Resilience Forum have a close working relationship with the Kent Local Resilience Forum (KLRF), particularly concerning Brexit planning and Operation Fennel. Operation Fennel is Kent’s overarching freight and passenger traffic management plan, designed to mitigate potential congestion caused by border delays and any subsequent impacts on surrounding areas, including Surrey.

The council continues to work with Kent to inform these plans and ensure preparations are in place to minimise potential implications on Surrey’s transport network and service delivery.

Surrey County Council’s workforce

Risk: The primary risk to delivering council services is reduced capacity to deliver core services due to potential loss in the council’s workforce and staff employed by providers, particularly if non-UK EU staff leave or move away.

Action: The council is providing regular updates to staff on citizens’ rights and targeted communications, particularly about social care. Cllr Kemp said they have been helping some staff with paperwork that may be needed to help them remain in the country.

Communicating to residents

Risk: Making sure residents feel settled and reassured in their communities. The council has a role in place-shaping, which entails creating an environment for businesses to flourish and supporting other organisations.

Action: There is a web page on the SCC website providing key information and guidance and the council has welcomed the government’s Get ready for Brexit campaign.

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