Issue - meetings

Report of the Chief Executive.

Councillor Philip Whitehead, Leader of the Council and Cabinet member for Economic Development, MCI and Communications presented the report which outlined the preparations that have been underway for the end of the transition period on 1 January 2021.

Cllr Whitehead highlighted that the report offered reassurances that the Council with partners were taking all possible steps to prepare for Brexit and in particular the possibility of a no-deal Brexit , alongside concurrent threats such as seasonal flu, severe winter weather including floods and snow and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.   

Cllr Graham Wright, Chair of the Wiltshire Covid-19 Response Task Group reported that the Council is currently operating streamlined Overview and Scrutiny arrangements, allowing officers to focus on the response to COVID-19 and support Wiltshire communities in the context of ongoing restrictions. Cllr Wright referred to notes of the Wiltshire COVID-19 Response Scrutiny Task Group which met on 26 November to consider the Cabinet report. The notes of this meeting were published in the agenda supplement 2 prior to the Cabinet meeting. 

In response to questions from Cllr Ian Thorn, Leader of the Liberal Democrats about (i) the upcoming challenges for the Council and preparedness of staff to manage these; and (ii) support for the farming community. Officers explained that (i) the Council is prepared to mange the challenges offered by Brexit, although there were greater risks to be faced by the Council with the possibility of prolonged snow or winter events; and (ii) A group has been established directly to support farmers during this period.

In response to a question from Cllr Jo Trigg about the EU Settlement Scheme and clarification on the number of applications; Cllr Whitehead reported that it was understood that the majority of people who had applied to the Scheme had been approved.  This would be confirmed in a written response following the meeting.    

Resolved:

1.    To note the assessment of the council’s readiness for the end of the transition period.

2.    To note the opportunity to shape the UK Shared Prosperity Fund

and the potential implications of the government’s approach to state aid.

Reason for Decision:

Wiltshire Council has an important role as community leader in advocating for

our residents and local businesses.