This Council allocates the sum of £10,000 towards the cost of commissioning, in collaboration with other councils and interested bodies, an analysis of the impact of leaving the European Union on the economy of Cambridgeshire in order to support residents and businesses in planning for Brexit.
Decision:
The following motion was LOST:
This Council allocates the sum of £10,000 towards the cost of commissioning, in collaboration with other councils and interested bodies, an analysis of the impact of leaving the European Union on the economy of Cambridgeshire in order to support residents and businesses in planning for Brexit.
Minutes:
Councillor Aidan Van de Weyer moved the following motion as set out on the agenda:-
“This Council allocates the sum of £10,000 towards the cost of commissioning, in collaboration with other councils and interested bodies, an analysis of the impact of leaving the European Union on the economy of Cambridgeshire in order to support residents and businesses in planning for Brexit.”
In moving his motion, Councillor Van de Weyer elaborated on the perceived benefits of commissioning a study to review the impact of Brexit on the local economy and indicated that it would be advantageous to develop objective data to inform future planning.
Councillor Douglas de Lacey seconded the motion.
During discussion:-:
· Councillor Topping referred to the Economic Commission being led by Dame Kate Barker which it was believed would cover such research as part of its work and suggested that there was no point in duplicating that effort. Councillor Topping further argued that it was not an appropriate time to carry out such a review as, given the uncertainty around whether there would be a “hard” or “soft” Brexit, there were too many variables to enable a meaningful review to be undertaken. He noted that the European Commission was due to meet at the end of June and the Committee on Migration was due to report in early September and thereafter there would be a much clearer picture on which to do some modelling.
· Councillor Wright shared the view that such a review would form part of the Economic Commission’s work and that £10,000 could therefore be put to better use for South Cambridgeshire’s residents.
· Councillor Cathcart expressed concern at the impact of the uncertainty caused by Brexit on the local economy and argued that £10,000 was a small price to pay in order to try to provide data to support businesses in their future planning.
· Councillor Kindersley was mindful that the Economic Commission would not necessarily deliver the evidence base required and suggested that the motion presented an opportunity for the Council to demonstrate leadership in supporting businesses and residents in planning for the challenges of Brexit.
· Councillor Hawkins was concerned that there was currently no evidence to support businesses in South Cambridgeshire in preparing for Brexit.
· Councillor O’Brien referred to the desirability of establishing reliable base data on the current level of business with Europe in South Cambridgeshire.
· Councillor Van de Weyer did not agree that it was not the appropriate time to carry out a survey, noting that the UK was scheduled to leave the European Union on 29 March 2019 meaning that there was little time for businesses to plan for the impact of Brexit.
Upon being put to the vote, votes were cast as follows:-
In favour (17)
Councillors Henry Batchelor, John Batchelor, Nigel Cathcart, Neil Davies, Roger Hall, Tumi Hawkins, Sebastian Kindersley, Douglas de Lacey, Janet Lockwood, Cicely Murfitt, Des O’Brien, Deborah Roberts, Bridget Smith, Hazel Smith, Edd Stonham, Aidan Van de Weyer and John Williams.
Against (20)
Councillors David Bard, Val Barrett, Ruth Betson, Graham Cone, Christopher Cross, Kevin Cuffley, Sue Ellington, Andrew Fraser, Lynda Harford, Mark Howell, Ray Manning, Raymond Matthews, David McCraith, Charles Nightingale, Tony Orgee, Peter Topping, Richard Turner, Robert Turner, Tim Wotherspoon and Nick Wright.
Abstain (1)
Councillor Brian Burling
The motion was therefore declared lost.