[A period not exceeding 20 minutes for statements from up
to 5 members of the public on matters within the
Committee’s remit, proposing action(s) which may be
considered or contribute towards the future development of
the Committee’s work programme].
Minutes:
MRS Ann Gilbert, a resident of Mexborough made the following statement:
Thank you Chair and Committee for the opportunity to contribute to your discussions today on the Brexit issue. Whilst I have been unable to see the paper that is being presented today by the Brexit Team, I hope that the points I raise are addressed within their presentation. I do accept that Brexit feels as if nothing is happening and then changes on a daily basis. The lack of clear thinking from our national government does not help those who are responsible for the provision of public services or run their business.
That said I have a number of areas I wish to raise and they are as follows:-
Preparation for Brexit
What guidance has been given by National Government regarding the preparation for Brexit to date, with particular regard to financial resourcing of the process?
Whether there is a deal or not, scarce local government funding resources that have been cut substantially by National Government, have had to be used to support the preparation for Brexit and to identify and minimise the risks to the local economy and residents.
I am therefore asking:-
a. Have those costs been identified, tabled and submitted to national Government for refund?
b. Is the Government going to meet those costs or will it fall on Doncaster Council Tax payers and be included in their Council Tax payments?
c. What arrangement has the Council made to:
· Advise the population of the costs?
· Who is paying – the Government or Doncaster Council Tax payer? And
· If no funding is available from Government, how will this affect services within the borough and potential job loss?
Business Sector
Do we have any businesses in the supply chain to Honda, Nissan or other Japanese companies who may be affected by a relocation of Japanese companies now that Japan has signed a trading agreement with the EU?
What support is being offered by Government to assist those in the supply chains in maintaining their business in the UK?
If there is a deal, does the Council know if any businesses based in Doncaster have plans to use the transition period to facilitate an orderly departure from the UK?
Health Sector
We are all aware how important the migrant workforce is to our area and the contribution they make to all sectors or the economy, in particular in the provision of social and medical care.
Are we in a position to know how many EU migrant professionals we will lose across the Health sector – social care and medical.
What contingency plans are in place to fill those vacancies.
Medicine Supplies
Are we in a position to know:-
Which medicines are at risk?
How many people does this affect eg. insulin dependent patients, cancer treatment patients?
Food Shortages
Has National Government given any real answers on how to deal with the potential for food shortages?
What provision has been made to ensure that vulnerable people are protected and that food banks are ensured supplies for the poorest in our community.
Conclusion
In conclusion may I again thank you Chair, for the opportunity to express my concerns and I look forward to the presentation by the Brexit Team.