News and Views

Welcome to the Brexit Bulletin – providing an update on recent developments relevant to councils.

Local Government Brexit Briefing Teleconference

On Monday, 23 September 11:00 – 12:15 the Secretary of State Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP will host his second conference call with over 300 council Leaders, Chief Executives and Brexit Lead Officers to discuss Brexit preparations.

Please sign up using the following link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/local-government-brexit-briefing-registration-71532031231

Information and guidance: Data Advice for Businesses

Act now to keep receiving personal data from the EU

If your business or organisation receives personal data from partners or suppliers in the EU or EEA countries you must act now to ensure you can still do so legally after Brexit. Personal data is any information that can be used to identify someone, this could include a customer’s name, physical or IP addresses, or HR data such as staff working hours and payroll details. To continue receiving personal data legally after Brexit can be as simple as adding a new clause into your supplier contracts.

Find out how you can prepare at https://www.gov.uk/brexit-personal-data.

Construction Products Regulation (CPR) No Deal Guidance

• In the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal, the EU CPR will be retained in domestic law by the EU (Withdrawal) Act 2018. The government has made legislation that ensures that the UK-based CPR system will continue to operate after exit day. This legislation can be found here: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2019/465/made
• Following the UK’s exit from the EU, European harmonised standards and UK designated standards will be identical. Notified bodies operating under the CPR and based in the UK will be granted new UK ‘approved body’ status and listed on a new UK database. Where a UK approved body has undertaken conformity assessment activity against UK designated standards, the manufacturer must affix a UKCA marking. Details for this can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/prepare-to-use-the-ukca-mark-after-brexit
• Goods affixed with a compliant CE marking on the UK market before exit day will be able to continue to circulate in the UK. Additionally, goods which are made and assessed against EU harmonised standards and carry a compliant CE marking can continue to be placed on the UK market. It is intended that these arrangements will be for a time-limited period and sufficient notice will be given to economic operators before that period ends.
• For further information, please read Construction Products Regulation if there is no Brexit deal: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/construction-products-regulation-if-there-is-no-brexit-deal. This guidance was updated on 8 August, and we would welcome any feedback you have on the guidance.
• Our colleagues in the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy have also produced guidance which may be useful: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/placing-manufactured-goods-on-the-eu-internal-market-if-theres-no-deal and https://www.gov.uk/guidance/placing-manufactured-goods-on-the-uk-market-if-theres-no-brexit-deal

Other Updates

• MHCLG has published a new Technical Notice on European Territorial Cooperation (ETC) funding in a no-deal Brexit. Details: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/european-territorial-cooperation-funding-if-theres-no-brexit-deal/european-territorial-cooperation-funding-if-theres-no-brexit-deal
• MHCLG has updated guidance on EU citizens in the UK: access to social housing and homelessness assistance in a no deal scenario. Details: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/eea-nationals-in-the-uk-access-to-social-housing-and-homelessness-assistance-in-a-no-deal-scenario
• The Department of Health and Social Care has updated their guidance on actions for adult social care providers to prepare for Brexit. Details: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/actions-for-adult-social-care-providers-to-prepare-for-brexit
• The National Health Service has updated their guidance on getting your medicines if there’s a no deal Brexit. Details: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/medicines-information/getting-your-medicines-if-theres-no-deal-eu-exit/?=5
• The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs and Animal and Plant Health Agency has updated their guidance on the import of products, animals, food and feed system (IPAFFS). Details: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/import-of-products-animals-food-and-feed-system
• The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs and Animal and Plant Health Agency has updated their guidance on exporting animals and animal products in a no-deal Brexit. Details: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/exporting-animals-animal-products-fish-and-fishery-products-if-the-uk-leaves-the-eu-with-no-deal
• The Minister of State for the Home Office, Rt Hon Brandon Lewis MP, has written to Guy Verhofstadt about the EU Settlement Scheme. Letter: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/eu-settlement-scheme-letter
• The Animal and Plant Health Agency has updated their guidance on the export of horses and ponies to include further information about streamlined re-entry processes to the EU. Details: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/export-horses-and-ponies-special-rules
• Advice on visiting the UK after Brexit has been updated. Details: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/visiting-the-uk-after-brexit

Events

BEIS Business Readiness Events

During September and October, the Government will be holding a series of ‘Get ready for Brexit’ business readiness events across the country to give businesses help and advice on how to prepare for Brexit. These free events will be visiting all parts of the country, allowing businesses to meet government advisers to discuss what they need to do to prepare for Brexit, understand what’s changing in their industry, and for information on specific rules and regulations. These events will provide specific business-focused advice and help and will combine a keynote address, interactive support and advice stands, and in-depth sessions led by subject matter experts.

Please find further information here: https://businessgetready.frontify.com/d/4QP821hJ7W9J/guidelines#/brexit-business-readiness-events/brexit-business-readiness-events

Home Office EUSS Teleconferences

The Home Office is also running a series of teleconferences for front line staff who support Looked After Children and care leavers to provide further information about the EU Settlement Scheme. They will take place on the following dates:

• 25 September 2019 1200-1300
• 22 October 2019 1200-1300
• 19 November 2019 1200-1300
• 18 December 2019 1200-1300
• 21 January 2020 1200-1300
• 18 February 2020 1200-1300
• 24 March 2020 1200-1300

Please email Feedback-EUSSsupportmodel@homeoffice.gov.uk to book a place.

DEFRA Seafood Trader Events

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, in partnership with Seafish and the Marine Management Organisation, is hosting a series of events across England to help seafood traders, processors and businesses understand the changes that lie ahead and what they can do to prepare for Brexit.

The events are open to any individuals or businesses involved in processing and trading fish and seafood with the EU; please share these with your local networks.

These are being held on:

• 26th September – Fleetwood
• 4th October – London

Spaces are still available via Eventbrite here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/helping-the-uk-seafood-sector-be-ready-for-brexit-tickets-69198048225

We welcome any feedback you may have on this bulletin. To get in touch with your comments or suggestions please contact lgengagement@communities.gov.uk.

A consolidated list of guidance is also available:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/local-government-brexit-preparedness