At a Cabinet meeting yesterday (Wednesday 6 March) leading Councillors approved five priorities for action that were put forward by the authority’s recently-formed Brexit Advisory Group. The overall aim is to support the South Cambridgeshire economy and local businesses and help ensure the Council is as prepared as possible.
The group was established last year to review and report back on the potential impact of Brexit on firms in South Cambridgeshire. It was tasked with recommending steps that could be made to minimise those impacts where possible. The group has met four times since being established – in September, October, November and December 2018. Members of Cambridge City Council were also part of the group.
The Cabinet meeting saw members agree to focus on five key areas which were suggested by the Brexit Advisory Group. These will now be developed into more detailed actions:
- Improving the flow of information and advice to business – including developing an online resource that draws together practical information for local companies
- Establish Greater Cambridge internationally as a great place to work and do business – including working with partners to promote the area as one that welcomes diversity and new migrants to spread a positive message
- Ensuring that the importance of Greater Cambridge to the national economy is recognised and that its funding needs are addressed – including by working with the Combined Authority and Government to understand and influence plans for new funding arrangements post-Brexit
- Supporting agricultural businesses – including ensuring the Council understands the challenges facing the farming community and can offer support
- Continue to manage Brexit impact upon Council – including contingency planning where appropriate to mitigate risks
Detailed actions will now be drawn up, covering the above topics, and implemented as required.
Council Leader, Cllr Bridget Smith, said: “We know from talking to residents and businesses that they are deeply concerned about the impact of Brexit. That’s why we established a Brexit Advisory Group who have now reported their findings back to us. We will now take forward their work and develop some tangible actions that will help us support local businesses which will be negatively impacted by the UK leaving the EU. Our officers are also already hard at work looking at different scenarios that they may be faced with to ensure we continue to deliver vital services that residents want and need. My message is that this Council will be as prepared as possible to deal with the challenges ahead of us.”
The report considered by the Council’s Cabinet is available here