Agenda item

Report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection.

The Committee received a report from the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection which provided an update on the impact of the UK leaving the EU (Brexit) on Port Health and Public Protection (PH&PP). The report outlined the implications of a ‘no-deal’ Brexit on the PH&PP and provided an update on representations made by PH&PP to Government and relevant agencies.

The Director of Port Health and Public Protection provided an update on information contained within the report advising that since publication of the papers, the draft agreement had been agreed by the European Union with a vote to take place in Parliament on 11 December 2018 and if this was agreed, the UK would remain part of the customs union for the duration of the implementation period. The Director noted there was continued uncertainty on what deal might be made and officers were continuing to prepare for different scenarios.

In response to a Member’s question, the Director of Port Health and Public Protection advised that the throughput at the Ports continued to increase, and as of September 2018, the Port had already exceeded 2017’s total level of throughput.

The Director advised that within the City of London Corporation, the Town Clerk has convened a weekly working group with Chief Officers specifically on Brexit and updates would continue to be provided to Committee. The Chairman advised the Committee that subject to Court approval, the Finance Committee had granted a £2M contingency fund to address the financial risks of Brexit.

RESOLVED – That the Committee note the report and its contents.