Local Authority round-up 16/10/20

Brexit

EU to reject deal for exports of electric cars

The European Union (EU) is about to formally reject a UK plea for special allowances for exports of electric cars in a post-Brexit trade deal. The UK proposal was that in the case of electric and hybrid cars, only a minority of parts would at first need to be either from the UK or the EU in order to get zero tariffs on exports. However, the EU is expected to reject this and will only allow zero tariffs if a majority of the parts’ value is from the two areas. If no deal is agreed then tariffs of 10% will apply from January. Prof David Bailey, automotive specialist at the Birmingham Business School and UK in a Changing Europe, said “This will catch out some UK based car assemblers, particularly as the industry electrifies. The car industry is going through fundamental change, the EU see a threat from China, Korea and Japan, and is trying to build an electric vehicle supply chain in Europe.”

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Government secures freight routes

The Government has signed agreements with ferry operators Brittany Ferries, DFDS, P&O and Stena, worth £77.6 million, to provide critical freight routes when the UK leaves the EU at the end of the transition period. There will be 9 routes serving 8 ports in Felixstowe, Harwich, Hull, Newhaven, Poole, Portsmouth, Teesport and Tilbury which will mitigate the risk of disruption and ensure that vital medical supplies and other critical goods can continue to be delivered to the UK. The contracts will initially run for up to six months. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said “As the transition period comes to an end, we’re putting the necessary measures in place to safeguard the smooth and successful flow of freight. Securing these contracts ensures that irrespective of the outcome of the negotiations, lifesaving medical supplies and other critical goods can continue to enter the UK from the moment we leave the EU.”

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Commercial

Further £1 billion funding announced for councils

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced a further £1 billion in funding for councils whilst announcing the Governments new three tier system for England in a bid to fight coronavirus. Mr Johnson said “We are giving local authorities across England around a billion pounds so they can protect vital services as they fight the virus.” Local Government Association chairman, Cllr James Jamieson, said the association was “pleased Government will provide much-needed additional funding” but added “We await further details around this funding.”

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Council funding for digital connectivity

Councils are being urged to apply for funding under The Local Government Association’s (LGA) Digital Connectivity programme. Under the programme, councils can apply for funding that can help them improve local and regional digital connectivity and chosen councils will receive £20,000 which will help councils create environments to test and develop innovative technologies and services to improve the lives of their communities while modernising ways of working and living. Cllr Peter Fleming, chairman of the LGA’s Improvement and Innovation Board said “The Digital Connectivity programme, which is part of our sector-led improvement offer, is helping all councils to provide vital services for residents who don’t have access or confidence to use digital platforms. As COVID-19 is causing more families to work and educate from home, it is more important than ever that all households have access to good, reliable broadband.”

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MHCLG publishes guidance on council compliance and enforcement grant

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has published guidance on the £30 million grant to councils for COVID-19 compliance and enforcement activities following an announcement by the Prime Minister £60 million would be made available to councils and the police to support additional COVID-19 compliance and enforcement activities. Of this £60 million, £30 million was allocated to all district and unitary authorities including metropolitan borough and London borough councils to spend on COVID-19-related compliance and enforcement activities. The guidance says that individual funding allocations to each council is to be paid the compliance and enforcement grant. The guidance also sets out examples of eligible compliance and enforcement activities for which councils can use the funding noting that there is flexibility over how the funding is used provided it is for the purposes of compliance and enforcement of measures to control the spread of coronavirus. Where appropriate, councils are encouraged to consider using this funding for the deployment of COVID-19 secure marshals, or their equivalents, to support compliance.

For more information please click here.

Report calls for fundamental reform to local government funding

The Tony Blair Institute (TBI) is calling for fundamental reform to the way local government is financed in a new report. The report, Fixing the Plumbing: Resetting the Framework of Local Government Funding, argues local government should be fully funded by central Government. It should also be allowed to raise revenue from its tax base and decide how that money should be spent. Lizzie Insall, report author and policy lead for community at TBI, said “The response to COVID-19 exemplifies the failure of an overcentralised state – confusion over PPE, Test and Trace, local lockdowns. This approach, centralised by default, is the baked in reality for how local government operates. It doesn’t just need to be better resourced; the financial plumbing needs fixing so that it is both properly funded as a service provider and so local leaders are truly empowered.”

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Regulatory

New local COVID Alert Levels announced

The Government has announced new measures in order to tackle the spread of coronavirus. With effect from Wednesday 14 October, a three tiered system of local COVID Alert Levels in England will apply. Each area will be placed into an alert level which can be medium, high or very high. Each level will have different restrictions imposed depending on the level of cases in that area. The medium alert level will consist of the current national measures including the Rule of Six and the closure of hospitality at 10pm. The high alert level will prevent all mixing between households or support bubbles indoors and the Rule of Six will apply in outdoor spaces, including private gardens. The very high alert level will prohibit social mixing indoors and in private gardens, with the Rule of Six allowed in open public spaces like parks and beaches and pubs and bars must close and can only remain open where they operate as if they were a restaurant. People will also be advised not to travel in and out of these areas. These measures will be kept under constant review, including a four-week sunset clause for interventions in very high areas.

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Planning and housing

Government announces £10 million Cold Weather Payment

Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick has announced that the Government will be providing £10 million under the Cold Weather Fund to support councils to get rough sleepers off the streets during the winter by helping them to provide more self-contained accommodation. The Government will also be providing an additional £2 million for faith and community groups to help them provide secure accommodation for rough sleepers. This support will give local areas the tools and funding they need to protect people from life-threatening cold weather and the risks posed by coronavirus. Mr Jenrick said “The funding and guidance I’m announcing today will mean that working with councils and community groups, some of the most vulnerable people in society are given support and a safe place to stay this winter. The Government is spending over half a billion pounds to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping this year alone and working with our partners, some of the most vulnerable people in our society have been helped into accommodation or other support during the pandemic and we are accelerating plans for thousands of new homes.”

For more information please click here.

Upcoming webinars

Employing EU nationals post Brexit

An internationally diverse workforce is the norm in many sectors, as easy access to non-UK nationals has enriched the talent pool. Freedom of movement within the EU has increased competitiveness, and sharpened everyone’s focus, employers’ and employees’ alike. But will this change next year, and what do businesses need to consider when recruiting and building the best workforce in the future?

At this Zoom webinar on 21st October at 12pm, immigration specialist Flora Mewies will enlighten us about the post Brexit landscape – click here for more information and to register.

Creating an inclusive workforce

Join experts from Parkdean Resorts and Northumbria Police for a panel discussion on equality, diversity and inclusion.

At this exclusive virtual event on 22nd October at 2pm, discover how these leading figures are embracing and encouraging diversity and inclusion, tapping into a socially diverse workforce and unlocking the benefits for businesses and organisations. Hear top tips for implementing good equality and diversity practice, and learn more about the tangible benefits for organisations large and small. Click here for more information and to register.

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