Agenda item

The Chairman invited Sonika Sidhu, Principal Policy Adviser, to introduce the update.

Sonika briefly ran through the topics in the update paper – EU exit and transition, digital connectivity, Freeports, housing and planning reform, Heads of Place and City Regions Board update.

Members raised the following points:

·       Concern was expressed at the lack of training being given to council’s regulatory service teams in readiness for the end of the transition period when responsibility for ports would be transferred.

·       More information was requested on the Heads of Place pilot. Sonika agreed to provide this.

·       An update on the UK Shared Prosperity Fund was requested. The Chairman said that they were hoping for some detail as part of the Government Spending Review. He had pressed Government for more clarity on the various EU funded programmes and was making the case strongly for UKSPF money to be channelled through councils rather than LEPs.

·       Concern was expressed that if the UK moved to WTO rules on 1 January, councils could be faced with significant extra costs in purchasing goods and services. The Chairman said that he was giving evidence to the Committee on the Future Relationship with the EU on this issue tomorrow. Paul Green, LGA Adviser, highlighted some resources on the LGA website that provided advice for councils on tariffs and other EU exit issues - https://www.local.gov.uk/issues-local-government-resulting-end-transition-period and https://www.local.gov.uk/preparing-end-eu-transition-period

Decision:

·       Members of the People & Places Board noted the update.

Action:

·       Officers to provide the Board with more detail on the Heads of Place pilot.