Agenda item

Ann Gilbert a Doncaster resident stated:

 “I would like to thank authors for the paper which highlights the many risks to the people of Doncaster if we leave the EU with no deal or we lose the tariff free access to the single market.

It is an unenviable task trying to evaluate the effects when the government has so much internal infighting with no strong direction of travel coming forward and a messy floor of parliament which may have to make the decision between no deal or the deal the PM comes back with – which I’m sure we all agree is not a meaningful vote.

I will address the paper linked to the paragraphs.

Risks and Assumptions

Para 11-12 – EU Funding

To date we have had £100 million from the EU and the Shared Prosperity Fund is expected to take over post 2020 – what level of confidence does the Borough have that Doncaster can access sufficient funding to meet the Industrial strategy for Doncaster – who will be in competition with – how many Local Enterprise Partnerships are there sharing the £1.6billion allocated by government.

Para 14 – Migration

Do we know where our migrant workforce is employed – which sectors and in what numbers?  Has any assessment been made by the employers concerned about the effects it will have on their business – eg. Skill shortages.

Para 15 – Impact on the Economy and our residents

Access to EU airports

Do we know what the cost would be if our airport was grounded for any length of time and does that effect revenue to the Borough?

Trading with the EU

No matter what kind of Brexit we get, our companies who deal with Europe will still have to maintain EU standards if they wish to continue to export to the EU.

What proportion of Doncaster companies trade with the EU?  You mention 153 but think this is only a proportion of the real number of businesses that could be affected. 

How many ‘just in time’ businesses do we have in Doncaster linked to trade with the EU?

If we lose access to the single market and tariff free export and imports – how many of our companies are at serious risk of going out of business?

Productivity

We appear to have very poor levels of productivity 59^th:60 in the Centre for Cities report (2017).  Will this be exacerbated if we lose our migrant workforce?  What is in place to improve this position – skills training, lack of job opportunities with decent wage structures to attract workers and keep workers in our Borough?  What work is currently being done – Brexit or no Brexit.

Financial Implications

Para 35 – You have identified as a key concern – the move to the Borough relying on income from business rates – going to 75% - means that we must keep our businesses in Doncaster, thriving.  The loss of business rates directly affects the standards of delivery of statutory obligations of the Borough.  Losing any of our employers also has a direct effect on work prospects for our people and in particular our young.  I share that concern.

Human Resource Implications

Para 38 – the loss of free movement of labour will be a disaster for this country not only for access to a migrant workforce with skills who have made a major contribution to our country as well as our Borough but also to enable our young people to take advantage of all that free movement can offer.

What support is there is place for EU citizens already in the borough with regard to settled status or citizenship applications?

Are we aware of where the skill shortages will occur?  Private and public eg. care sector, hospital professionals, agricultural etc.  Do we know how we will meet those shortages to ensure that these workplaces can continue to function?

Para 40 – You mention the Health Resilience Partnership are working with the LA – are there any published strategies to date available for Scrutiny?

Additionally what provision has been made for potential medicine shortages?

What provision has been made for potential food shortages to protect vulnerable people?

Conclusion

Some of my observations and questions may be answered when the report is discussed following this – but I wish to thank you for the opportunity to make my contribution.