Report of Assistant Director for Legal and Democratic Services

Lead Cabinet member: Councillor Andy Smith

(Non key decision):

(1) To note the report.

(2) To require the Assistant Director for Legal & Democratic Services to provide further updates as the national situation over Brexit, and its effect on the Council, becomes more certain.

(3) In the eventuality of a no-deal Brexit or further details being known in advance of 29 March 2019, that an emergency Cross-Party Working Group be formulated to look in detail at implications for the Council and Lewes District. Legal advice would be sought for any meetings that take place during the pre-election period of purdah.

The Cabinet considered the report of the Assistant Director for Legal and Democratic Services, noting the key implications for the Council and Lewes District of the United Kingdom leaving the European Union. The report followed a notice of motion that was submitted by Councillor Ient at the Full Council meeting on the 26 November 2018.

Thanks were expressed to the Senior Lawyer and officers for their work in formulating the report. The report had also been circulated with neighbouring authorities, including ESCC.

Councillor Smith advised that as part of the budget, a contingency from reserves of up to £10,000 a month had been set aside.

The Council was already participating in taskforce meetings held with East Sussex County Council (ESCC) Highways, Emergency Planning, Sussex Police, Border Force, East Sussex Fire & Rescue, Newhaven Port and Properties Ltd and the ferry operator (DFDS).

Following discussion it was agreed to add an additional resolution that in the eventuality of a no deal Brexit taking place, an emergency cross party working group, supported by officers should be formulated to look in greater detail at the implications for the Council and Lewes District. Legal advice would be sought for any meetings that took place during the pre-election period of purdah.

Resolved (Non key decision):

(1) To note the report.

(2) To require the Assistant Director for Legal & Democratic Services to provide further updates as the national situation over Brexit, and its effect on the Council, becomes more certain.

(3) In the eventuality of a no-deal or further details being known in advance of 29 March 2019, that an emergency Cross-Party Working Group be formulated to look in detail at implications for the Council and Lewes District. Legal advice would be sought for any meetings that took place during the pre-election period of purdah.

Reason for decisions:

To assist the Council in preparing for Brexit.