Local Authority round-up 28/08/20

Brexit

Government statement following latest round of talks

On 21 August 2020 the UK Government published a statement on the outcome of the seventh round of negotiations on the future UK-EU relationship, which was held from 18 to 21 August 2020. The Government statement said that little progress was made, and although agreement is still possible, it will not be easy to achieve. It also said that the EU maintains that the UK must accept continuity with EU state aid and fisheries policy, and that this must be agreed before any further substantive work can be done in any other area of the negotiation, including on legal texts. The Government observed that this makes it difficult to make progress, and there are other significant areas which remain to be resolved.

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European Commission statement

The European Commission also published a statement following the recent round of negotiations which said that progress is needed on substantive issues such as the level playing field (which is a non-negotiable pre-condition for the EU), fisheries (where no progress was made on issues that matter), governance (where there is disagreement on dispute settlement), law enforcement and judicial co-operation in criminal matters (where no agreement has been reached on guarantees to protect citizens’ fundamental rights and personal data), and mobility and social security co-ordination (where positions remain far apart). It said that whilst some progress was made on technical issues (such as energy co-operation, participation in EU programmes, and anti-money laundering), the fundamentals must be agreed before consolidating the final agreed texts. The European Commission said that at this stage, an agreement seems unlikely and to reach an agreement, the Government will need to provide concrete and constructive proposals during the next round (in the week of 7 September 2020). For an agreement to enter into force at the end of the transition period, the full legal text must be ready by the end of October 2020, to allow sufficient time for the EU ratification procedures.

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CLC working group launched to help construction industry at end of Brexit transition period

The Construction Leadership Council (CLC) has launched its Brexit Working Group To Help Ready Industry. The working group aims to produce and signpost business guidance and information to help the construction industry prepare to maintain business continuity at the end of the transition period. It also aims to identify critical issues facing the construction industry that the Government should address before the transition period expires, and will champion opportunities for the construction sector in ongoing trade deal negotiations. The group’s work will be split into four workstreams, addressing movement of people (preparing for new immigration rules, accessing alternative labour supply and reciprocal arrangements on skills and qualifications in new trade deals), movement of goods and materials (preparing for a new customs regime, guidance on World Trade Organization rules and alternative sourcing opportunities), standards and alignment and data adequacy. Andy Mitchell CBE, Co-chair of the CLC, said “… the clock continues to tick on reaching an agreement with the EU. Whether we reach an agreement or not, our relationship with our European neighbours and the rest of the world will change and we’ll be doing all we can to help the industry adapt, adjust and rise to meet the Prime Minister’s ‘Build, Build, Build’ ambition.”

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Commercial

Council tax discounts in Oxford

Oxford City Council is providing discounts of up to £250 on council tax bills to help people as a result of the financial impacts of the coronavirus pandemic. Anyone of working age who currently receives a council tax reduction will automatically receive the discount which will be applied to their bill this month. The council expects more than 2,200 people to benefit from the discount. Councillor Marie Tidball, cabinet member for supporting local communities, said “We’re committed to supporting Oxford residents who are facing hardship as a result of the pandemic, which is why we’re using our emergency funding to provide £100 more than the discount recommended by Government. Any working age person with a successful CTR claim in 2020/21 will automatically get up to £250 off their council tax bill and we’re also looking at ways we can provide extra support for people struggling to pay their council tax. The coronavirus pandemic has left a trail of stark inequality in its wake. This measure will help to alleviate some of the financial difficulties families face at this challenging time.”

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Regulatory

New criminal offence for people organising or facilitating unlawful gatherings

Home Secretary Priti Patel has announced that from 28 August there will be a new criminal offence for people who organise or facilitate unlawful gatherings in breach of the social distancing measures enforced by the Government as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Anyone found to be facilitating or organising illegal raves, unlicensed music events, or any other unlawful gathering of 30 people or more may face a £10,000 fine and attendees of any such event can be fined £100 which will double for each offence up to a maximum of £3,200. National Police Chiefs’ Council Lead for Unlicensed Music Events, Commander Ade Adelekan, said “We welcome this further deterrent against those who irresponsibly put people’s health and safety at risk by organising these events. Unlicensed music events are unlawful and unregulated. These events are hosted without regard for the safety of those attending, and police have observed cases of anti-social behaviour, sales of drugs and gang activity.”

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New guide to help councils tackle climate change published

The Local Government Association (LGA) has published a guide for councils in order to help them understand the necessary environmental, social and cultural changes that communities need to build resilience in the face of climate change. The guide sets out 10 scrutiny questions which are designed to invite further questions from council officers and members which will help to identify and understand local needs, including how councils will be adapting their climate change action plans in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Cllr Liz Green, vice chair of the LGA’s Improvement and Innovation Board said “We hope that our report will help councils to explore questioning, identify key stakeholders, plan effective scrutiny work and consider the impacts that scrutiny can play in terms of delivering on climate issues.”

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Councils given power to close businesses

Birmingham City Council has been granted the power to close down businesses which are not following social distancing rules in a bid to fight coronavirus infection rates after it was put on Public Health England’s watchlist due to the high number of cases in the area. Under the measures, which came into force on Wednesday, the council will be able to issue businesses which are found to be in breach with a written warning. If the business then continues to break the rules it can be closed by the council. The council will also be able to prohibit certain types of events taking place, such as weddings, based on size and to restrict access to, or close, public outdoor places if there is a public health need to do so. Councillor Ian Ward, the city council’s leader said “While the recent figures show our rates are going down, we cannot be complacent. We must all continue to follow all the relevant safety guidance in order to protect our families, friends and work colleagues.”

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Planning and housing

Ban on evictions extended for another 4 weeks

Secretary Robert Jenrick has announced that the Government ban on evictions has been extended for another 4 weeks. He also announced that a new 6 month notice period will apply until at least 31 March 2021 which will require landlords to provide tenants with 6 months’ notice in all bar those cases raising other serious issues such as those involving anti-social behaviour and domestic abuse perpetrators. This will protect tenants from eviction in the winter months. Once eviction hearings restart, the judiciary will have to prioritise the most serious cases including those involving anti-social behaviour and domestic abuse and the Government has said that further details on those categories would be set out in due course.

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Campaign to make social housing a priority

Derby City Council and Derby Homes have joined a national campaign, Homes at the Heart, for the Government to prioritise social housing. The campaign which is organised by the National Federation of Housing, the Chartered Institute of Housing, homelessness charity Crisis, the National Federation of ALMOs, and the Association of Retained Council Housing highlights the importance of affordable homes and secure tenancies in the move to recover from the coronavirus pandemic. The campaign identifies five priorities for national recovery: no return to rough sleeping; a new generation of affordable homes; helping people to thrive at home; a new drive to decarbonise social housing and change for communities across the country. Roy Webb, Derby City Council cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Social Housing said “Everyone deserves a safe, secure, comfortable place to call home. Not just now, in the middle of this crisis, but for the future. Investing in social housing – in all its forms – makes this possible. It will boost the local economy, create jobs and improve people’s lives when our nation needs it most.”

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If you have any questions about the issues raised in this update, please do not hesitate to get in touch.