CHESHIRE West and Chester Council is scaling up its preparations for a no-deal Brexit.

The United Kingdom is set to leave the European Union on Thursday, October 31, with or without a withdrawal agreement in place.

And following the work of the Council’s Brexit Commission, Cheshire West has been recognised as a national example in effective planning.

To help identify the implications and develop plans accordingly, the council has been working with partners from the Local Government Association, business organisations, and other bodies over the past three years to share intelligence and understand concerns in communities.

The council is also a member of the Cheshire Local Resilience Forum, which brings together local councils, police, NHS, fire and rescue service and other partners, to plan for all eventualities.

Discussions are ongoing between the council and Vauxhall, who have expressed serious concerns about the implications of a no-deal Brexit for the future of their Ellesmere Port operations.

Furthermore, preparations are being made within the council’s available funding and powers and a proactive approach is being taken to identify and mitigate the risks to the borough.

These include changes in trade and export conditions and regulations, inflation, logistics and concerns for the borough’s workforce and non-UK EU citizens.

EU citizens who live and work in the borough are being signposted to apply for the Government’s settlement scheme, which will allow them and their families to secure the right to live and work in the UK with access to public services.

Councillor Louise Gittins, Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, said: “We want to reassure businesses and communities that the council and its partners are doing everything possible to reduce the risks, but I remain gravely concerned about a no-deal scenario.

“The impact of restrictions on our exporting industries to access international markets will put jobs at risk and could push us into a new and avoidable recession.

“The impact on Vauxhall in particular is a serious and urgent concern, and the pressures on public services could be significant, with new burdens falling on the council and its partners.

“In particular, I want to express support for non-UK EU citizens, who play such a vital and positive role in our communities.”