Minutes:
The Council had before it a Notice of Motion set out in the agenda papers standing in the names of Prof J W Raine, Mrs E B Tucker and Mr M E Jenkins.
The motion was moved by Mrs F M Oborski and seconded by Mr M E Jenkins who both spoke in favour of it. The motion was altered by the mover and seconder based on information received from the LEP so that the motion read “25,000 jobs” rather than “Number of jobs”. Council agreed to deal with the motion on the day.
In the ensuing debate, the following points were made:
· The figure of 25k jobs at risk was provided by Worcestershire LEP. The Government’s Yellowhammer report had highlighted issues with high tariffs, delays for HGVs at ports and the disproportionate impact on low income families as a result of fuel/food price increases. In particular the number of jobs at risk was a major concern. This Council should be aware of the steps it was able to take to support local employers in this scenario
· A point of order was raised whether a motion could be proposed by a councillor who was not a signatory to it. The Head of Legal and Democratic Services advised that being a signatory to a motion and speaking to it at Council were separate matters. The constitution required at least three signatories to get a motion on the agenda for Council but there was no requirement for them to attend or speak on it. Although Moving and seconding the motion was normally undertaken by the signatories it did not need to be where another was put forward.
The following amendment to the motion was moved by Dr K A Pollock:
“A number of jobs in the county may be at risk after BREXIT. What preparations are being made by the Council?
Many jobs within Worcestershire may be at risk when the UK leaves the European Union, and some people believe that even more may be affected, if the departure is effected without a deal.
This Council asks for a report to Cabinet on its own preparations to support the local economy and residents of Worcestershire throughout this challenging time, and on the mechanisms in place to co-ordinate with other organisations such as the Local Enterprise Partnership, Worcestershire Business Central, the Chamber of Commerce for Herefordshire and Worcestershire and the six District Councils.”
The mover and seconder accepted the proposed amendment as an alteration to the motion. Council then debated the substantive motion as altered.
In the debate, the following principal points were raised:
· The Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Economy and Infrastructure explained that the amendment placed emphasis on the role of business partners rather than the Local Resilience Forum which had responsibility for major emergencies for example flooding. Although the matter was taken seriously, this amendment did not assume the worst-case scenario
· The impact of Brexit on the rural economy of the county would be significant given the potential additional EU tariffs on produce and the availability of workers to pick crops
· Although the negative impact of Brexit was recognised, local companies were taking a positive approach to address potential gaps in the market whilst reducing transportation costs and boosting the local economy
· There was no evidence that the EU would not invoke Article 24 of the World Trade Organisation which would allow zero tariffs whilst negotiations on a trade deal continued. It should also be noted that the German car industry was struggling and that the EU was close to recession
· In association with Worcestershire Business Central and the LEP, the Council was developing a business readiness programme which included access to funds, advice packs, courses and webinars
· The public would wish to understand how the Council intended addressing the issues associated with Brexit. It was therefore important to have a coherent and easily understandable plan. Although Brexit might impact on certain aspects of european life, it would impact on all aspects of UK life
· The Government had provided funding to the County and district councils to address issues associated with Brexit. Trading Standards were working with Public Health to look at ways to mitigate the impact on local businesses
· The impact of Brexit was a particular concern in relation to the supply of insulin for diabetes patients and isotopes for cancer treatment.
On being put to the vote, the substantive motion as altered was agreed unanimously.
Many jobs within Worcestershire may be at risk when the UK leaves the European Union, and some people believe that even more may be affected, if the departure is effected without a deal.
This Council asks for a report to Cabinet on its own preparations to support the local economy and residents of Worcestershire throughout this challenging time, and on the mechanisms in place to co-ordinate with other organisations such as the Local Enterprise Partnership, Worcestershire Business Central, the Chamber of Commerce for Herefordshire and Worcestershire and the six District Councils.”