Dumfries and Galloway Council leader says Brexit means "significant uncertainty" for region

Brexit means “significant uncertainty” for the region according to council leader Elaine Murray.

The local authority established a UK Exiting the EU Group to prepare for today and councillors are concerned at the slow flow of information from governments.

Dr Murray said: “Significant uncertainty remains, providing challenges for both the public sector and the private sector across the UK.

“In matters related to planning for EU Exit, local authorities are reliant on the flow of information from UK Government and Scottish Government.

“Unfortunately, delays in the flow of information have affected the council’s ability to assess the risks and plan accordingly.

Council Leader Elaine Murray (Dumfries and Galloway Standard)

“However, we continue to work with both governments in addition to our local resilience partners, to have as much planning in place as possible to ease any disruption.

“The impacts and implications of EU Exit will be felt well beyond the end of the transition period. The council remains concerned about the implications of the need for regulatory checks on goods coming in from Northern Ireland.”

Dumfries and Galloway is a key strategic location for the movement of goods between Northern Ireland and Great Britain.

And the council has been highlighting to the government the risks this poses locally for some considerable time.

While ferry traffic and the strategic road network are not the council’s direct responsibility, they have come up with a contingency plan to mitigate disruption as a member of the local resilience partnership.

Transport Scotland has been able to secure a lease for the Castle Kennedy site after discussions with the Stair Estates.

Depute leader, Rob Davidson, said: “In terms of business activity, and in turn a potential economic downturn, it is clear that coronavirus has impacted on businesses’ ability to prepare for the end of the transition period.

“The wider economic impacts, particularly where the impacts may be felt by low income groups, and the challenges for local businesses will remain a significant ongoing concern, as will the way forward for future funding to replace EU funding.

“This will not be an easy transition, but, from an economic perspective, the council is a key member of the South of Scotland Regional Economic Partnership along with peer authorities and agencies and we are considering the economic and business impacts of EU Exit as part of our work.”