Agenda item - EU Withdawal: Response to Full Council Notice of Motion

Report of the Executive Lead Strategy Governance & Law

RESOLVED: That the Committee -

(i)            Noted the contents of this report and appendices.

(ii)          Requested that the Executive Director, Finance & Resources investigates the advantages, disadvantages, and associated costs and benefits, in advance of any potential impact of the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union on council finances, of accepting income from fees, charges and council tax denominated in Euros to protect this city’s income stream and services, and reports his findings back to the January 2019 PR&G meeting.

(iii)         Agreed to the formation of a Member Working Group (with one Member from Each Group) to maintain Member oversight of the potential impacts of Brexit on Brighton & Hove and coordinate relations with city stakeholders and communities where potential impact has been identified.

(iv)         Noted that an Officer Group with representatives from relevant departments would monitor potential impacts of legislative change linked to the UK’s withdrawal from the EU and co-ordinate the council’s planning and report.

93.1    The Committee considered the report of the Executive Lead Strategy Governance & Law which provided an oversight of the potential risks attached to the UK’s withdrawal from the EU for Brighton & Hove City Council. The report had been prepared in response to a Notice of Motion at the October 2019 Full Council meeting.

93.2    Councillor Sykes thanked officers for the useful report.

93.3    Councillor Mac Cafferty said he disagreed with the Monitoring Officer as there could not be another election for members of the European Parliament, as the UK’s seats had already been reallocated.

93.4    RESOLVED: That the Committee -

(i)            Noted the contents of this report and appendices.

(ii)          Requested that the Executive Director, Finance & Resources investigates the advantages, disadvantages, and associated costs and benefits, in advance of any potential impact of the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union on council finances, of accepting income from fees, charges and council tax denominated in Euros to protect this city’s income stream and services, and reports his findings back to the January 2019 PR&G meeting.

(iii)         Agreed to the formation of a Member Working Group (with one Member from Each Group) to maintain Member oversight of the potential impacts of Brexit on Brighton & Hove and coordinate relations with city stakeholders and communities where potential impact has been identified.

(iv)         Noted that an Officer Group with representatives from relevant departments would monitor potential impacts of legislative change linked to the UK’s withdrawal from the EU and co-ordinate the council’s planning and report.