Agenda item

The Leader presented the report on the update of the post EU Transition arrangements since the UK left the EU in December 2020.

Since the previous report in October, Wales and the wider UK economy encountered several disruptions which impacted on households and businesses across Newport.

The Council had seen impact that the labour market was having across different sectors such as logistics disrupting food and fuel supply, social care, construction, farming and hospitality.  This was also now impacting Council services, with disruptions to City Services, social care and other services. 

The cost of energy (electric and gas) and fuel had increased which meant households on standard and pre-payment tariffs would see an increase in the energy costs.  For low-income households in Newport this would have a significant impact and put further pressure on those vulnerable households.

Food prices were also increasing as well as disruptions in supply resulting in certain foods were not reaching supermarkets but also impacting on food banks across Newport and Wales.

It was becoming clearer that the issues being experienced were a combination of Brexit, Covid and the wider global economic factors.  These global and national factors were now impacting the residents and businesses of Newport.    

In response, the Council’s services were monitoring the financial and non-financial issues escalating any immediate areas of concern to the Council’s Gold team.  Working collaboratively with other public sector bodies as part of the local resilience forum had been effective managing and responding to the emerging issues. 

There was a possibility that this winter could be tough for some of Newport’s most vulnerable residents, businesses and services delivered by the Council and our Partners.  It was important for residents and businesses to contact the Council and our Partners if they were concerned or required assistance, whether this was responding to any severe weather incidents, debt advice, housing, business support or other matters that the Council could assist or at least signpost to the correct service.

A couple of weeks ago, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced the outcome of the Levelling Up Fund that was aimed at Levelling Up communities across the UK.  Newport’s bid was unsuccessful and the Council would be reviewing the proposals to see if alternative funding could be sourced.  

The Council recently received confirmation that seven out of the eight projects were successful in obtaining over £2.8 million from the UK Community Renewal Fund.  The Council contacted the relevant organisations and would be working with them to ensure their successful delivery.  

For the City’s EU/EAA citizens it was over four months since the deadline passed. 

For a significant proportion of residents (over 10,000 applications) in the City they would have received either full Settled Status or Pre-settled status. The Council were aware that there was still over 1,000 residents awaiting a decision.

This Cabinet wanted to reiterate its support for EU/EAA citizens living and working in Newport and that they all had a part to play in making Newport a great city to live and work in and the Leader encouraged anyone who was still awaiting a decision or having difficulties to conclude their application to contact the Council and other organisations such as Citizens Advice Bureau. 

Newport Council was continuing to work with community groups and third sector organisations to ensure EU citizens had access to the services and support they needed.

The Council was working with GAVO to make arrangements to support further food poverty work.

Community Cohesion officers were now focusing on post Brexit rights and making sure EU citizens, businesses and services understood their obligations to access services.

Comments from Cabinet Members:

Councillor Harvey expressed her sadness that Newport residents had to use food banks as highlighted by the Leader.

Councillor Cockeram referred to the one million job shortages in certain areas such as domiciliary care and HGV drivers which was a worrying trend.

Councillor Hughes also mentioned the increase in usage of food banks, which was an issue that could get worse unless changes were made.  The Cabinet Member thanked everyone that supported food banks and the volunteers.

Councillor Jeavons referred to HGV drivers and thanked the Council’s HGV drivers and employees’ loyalty as some were being offered better pay in the private sector.

Decision:

That Cabinet considered the contents of the report and note the Council’s Brexit response.