Fears grow over impact on local services and construction projects after UK leaves European Union, reports Stephen Cox

Six months before Brexit, bosses at Enfield Council say they need urgent clarity on the final deal to be able to manage the effects on it services.

The council’s leadership has highlighted the potential economic impact and uncertainty for the 23,000 non-British EU citizens currently residing in the borough.

Earlier this year a council paper assessing risks to service delivery gave an ‘Amber’ rating for Brexit, meaning it has potential to cause disruption.

The report stated that, depending on the outcome of negotiations, “regeneration programmes could be placed at risk; housing supply may come under further pressure; business rate income could fall, and environmental service arrangements will need to be reviewed”.

Councillor Nesil Caliskan, the council leader, has called for new funding streams to cover the loss of EU regeneration funding. She said: “Enfield Council continues to be concerned as to the potential impact Brexit or a ‘no deal Brexit’ may have on our communities and our ability to continue to deliver high-quality services when we leave the EU.

“We continue to await firm direction from government and in the interim are developing contingency plans and gaining a better understanding of potential impacts on our residents and on service provision.”

A third of all London’s construction workers come from the rest of the EU and, after Brexit, such workers will need to apply for a new and untried ‘settled status’. Enfield’s flagship £6billion Meridian Water development is intended to bring thousands of jobs and new housing, but could become one of many projects that struggles to find qualified workers, with the council warning that Brexit “may have a negative impact on [the] construction industry, which is reliant on EU nationals”.

Last month the council’s cabinet discussed a projected gap in funding over spending of more than £9million, which may be met from reserves. Any economic downturn caused by Brexit could impact further on income and increase demand for services.

Cllr Caliskan said: “As with the majority of local councils across the country, we are very keen that government should announce a fund to replace the EU structural funding that will no longer be open to us.

“We hope to see decisive leadership from government soon as the deadline draws closer. We cannot firm-up plans of action until more detail is made available to us on the final settlement.”

The council leader has also joined those calling for a vote on the final proposals – a second Brexit referendum. She added: “I support the People’s Vote and believe that Enfield residents deserve a say over what the deal is – if there is one.”

Just under 56 percent of voters in the borough supported remain in the June 2016 referendum. While other London councils have formally backed calls for a People’s Vote, Enfield Council has yet to debate any motion on it.

No news is bad news 

Independent news outlets like ours – reporting for the community without rich backers – are under threat of closure, turning British towns into news deserts. 

The audiences they serve know less, understand less, and can do less. 

If our coverage has helped you understand our community a little bit better, please consider supporting us with a monthly, yearly or one-off donation. 

Choose the news. Don’t lose the news.

Monthly direct debit 

Annual direct debit

£5 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else, £10 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else and a print copy posted to them each month. £50 annual supporters get a digital copy of each month's paper before anyone else.  

More information on supporting us monthly or yearly 

More Information about donations