The potential effects of Brexit on front-line services like recycling mean that local government leaders must have a leading role in the negotiation of the UK’s exit from the European Union, says the Local Government Association (LGA).

The call was made at the LGA’s annual conference, which began yesterday (5 July) at the Bournemouth International Centre, bringing together more than 1,300 councillors, officers, council leaders and national politicians.

According to the LGA, councils must take part in deciding how EU laws will be replaced with UK legislation as many EU laws affect services, such as recycling, food safety and air quality, which impact people’s day-to-day lives.

The event intends to encourage a debate on the next moves for devolution from the EU to make sure the ‘right powers’ are granted to local governments. A consultation – ‘What next for devolution’ – will be launched to ignite a national debate about ‘how we ensure the right powers are devolved to local government and communities’.

A statement released by the body said that ‘power over the services that councils deliver cannot simply be transferred from Brussels to Westminster’, claiming that local services are best improved and money more easily saved by keeping decision-making powers nearby.

It continued: ‘This is crucial to ensure they can be the bedrock and the foundation that keeps the country together during the uncertainty and political fall-out from the EU vote and drive economic prosperity, improve health and wellbeing and create safer and stronger communities.’

Attendees will also discuss what impact leaving the EU will have on services and communities and what steps should be taken to ‘heal the divided country’ in areas where voting was close.

The LGA will also seek to ensure that the £5.3 million EU funding that had previously been allocated for regeneration projects up to 2020 will still be received as it has been earmarked to create jobs, infrastructure and growth.

Councils important for healing ‘rifts and division’

Emphasising the LGA’s stance, Chairman Lord Porter said: “The vote to leave the EU is the most important decision that the British people have made in generations and will have a big impact on local government and our communities.

“Now that the British people have voted to part company with the EU, it is vital that we avoid powers or funding which affect local government getting swallowed up in Whitehall. Over the last year, more powers and funding have been given to local areas. The referendum result and the political uncertainty that has followed must not see that process stall or go backwards.

“Councils need to be involved from the outset in deciding how EU laws affecting local services are replaced and given the power to run them the way we think is best for our communities. Local government must have a seat at the negotiating table.

“Communities also need assurances from the government that they will still receive billions of pounds worth of EU funding to create jobs, build infrastructure projects and boost growth. As part of the immediate task to stabilise the national economy, this is essential to avoid the strength of local economies being put at risk.”

More information about how Brexit could affect the waste and resources industry can be found in Resource’s previous article.