Issue - meetings

Report of the Chief Executive and Director for Legal and Governance

James Rhodes, Head of Analysis and Insight, and Paul Millward, Head of Resilience, introduced the report updating the Committee on the Council’s “No Deal” Brexit planning for the end of the EU Transition period. During the presentation the following points were highlighted:

(a)  Reasonable worse case scenarios against service delivery and projects are being reviewed on an ongoing basis;

(b) Even with a trade deal some risks may develop due to regulatory changes impacting supply chains;

(c) Risks detailed in the presentation and in the report do not necessarily represent a “cliff edge” situation with immediate impact on 1 January 2021. Most are likely to develop gradually which allows mitigation to be put into place;

(d)  General risks identified by the Government include 

·  Border disruptions and supply chain disruptions.

·  Settlement scheme applications for EU Nationals – All applications must be submitted by June 2021

·  Utility supplies in terms of supply chain disruption for parts – Severn Trent Water have confirmed that there are no concerns around water treatment

·  Increase in cost of fuel and food

·  Reduction in choice of fresh fruit and vegetables.

·  Public Disorder – Local intelligence suggests there won’t be issues.

·  Medical supplies – Mitigations are in place nationally

·  Health and social care – Workforce issues have been mitigated somewhat due to Covid and the rise in unemployment as a result. Extra cost of service provision due to need for PPE, self-isolation etc. may become problematic, however local mitigation is in place

·  Economic impact on GDP potential for inflation and an increase in the cost of borrowing which may impact some projects in the City;

(e)  Specific local risks and mitigations include:

·  Winter Pressures on NHS and Adult Social Care – the Covid pandemic has added additional pressure to this risk. There may be increased pressure on hospitals to discharge people to care, which then puts additional pressure on Social Care services: This is being monitored and will be escalated if necessary;

·  Social Care External Market – Recruitment and retention issues: Unemployment is on the rise as a result of the impact of Covid on the economy and so more people will look to the care sector for employment. The EU Settlement scheme is being promoted. There is also a recruitment and retention campaign due to take place in January;

·  PPE – increased cost and disruption to supply chain: Department of Health and Social Care have stockpiles and the Council has around 60 days stockpile of PPE supplies;

·  Data Protection and Data sharing: UK law is robust and there would be no reason why the Council would not be granted an adequacy notice should one be required. Information sharing agreements will need to be addressed to ensure that they refer to UK law – this is a work in progress;

·  Construction sector projects and supply chains: Could impact on construction projects across the city. Supply chain disruption was tested through the first wave of the Covid pandemic and the situation is being monitored closely;

·  Development industry confidence:  ...  view the full minutes text for item 61