CARE homes could suffer in Southend due to a lack of staff because of Brexit.

Southend Council released a report on the potential impact on the borough following the planned withdrawal on March 29.

With council suppliers already attempting to move to a more UK based labour force to mitigate the disruption the report states the care sector is already struggling with staffing.

The report states: “Some sectors are seeing a lack of skilled operatives which was previously made up by EU nationals and less EU nationals are applying for jobs and so care providers are having to continuously market their service and recruit to ensure any loss of staff is managed.”

The report goes on to say the council is monitoring labour supply through conversations with businesses and neighbouring authorities.

However the council is attempting to assess the impact and how the changes will make a difference to Southend without guidance or support from the Government and just vague promises of an “intranet” page .

The report states: “The Government has been developing contingency plans for a no deal Brexit and has published a series of “technical notices” setting out what it is doing to prepare for no-deal.

“These cover areas such as medical supplies, financial services, nuclear safeguards, farming and organic food production, driving licences, passports, mobile charges and environmental standards.

“There is not a single notice that specifically relates to the local government sector as a whole, although it is anticipated that an intranet page dedicated to local government and Brexit will be set up in the new year. “The Department of Health released further “no deal” guidance, before Christmas, outlining action that should be taken by health and social care commissioners and providers.”

Several major council projects could also be thrown into jeopardy in the event of a no-deal Brexit, as the report reveals that many are heavily tied to EU funding of more than £15m for the £30m projects.

A business boost scheme for the region costing £12.6m is 50 per cent funded by the EU with a further £8.8m of an £18.5m carbon reduction project provided by the European Union a a partner.

Funding also includes £600,000 tied to a green cites infrastructure project and £250,000 linked to a behaviour project in schools.

These are long-term project that were expected to continue up to 2022 but it is not yet known what will happen next.

The Government has insisted it will cover project costs until 2020 if there is a loss of funding but it is not known what will happen between 2020 and 2022.

The council is continuing to bid for EU funding for energy, environment and transport projects but the ongoing Brexit confusion could limit the chance of success.

The report by Southend Council is vague on the details due to the uncertainty surrounding any deal, and the vote today.

Other councils have been working on plans but have not yet published them.

Basildon Council is expected to publish a report in March.

The report from Southend Council states: “There are a range of potential scenarios, all subject to considerable speculation, including further renegotiation of the agreement, the extension or revocation of Article 50, a general election, the potential for a second referendum and a no-deal Brexit.

“In the event that the Government or Parliament do not agree a way forward, and no extension to Article 50 is requested or agreed, the UK automatically leaves the EU.

“In such a situation, all existing agreements, including access to the single market, would cease to apply to the UK.

“Given recent developments, the prospect of a no-deal Brexit should be considered a serious possibility.”

The council report continues: “There is a common view that there is likely to be a short-term negative impact to the UK economy from Brexit as it adjusts to new conditions.

“However, there is significant disagreement on the likely duration.

“Much will depend on the nature of the withdrawal (deal or no deal) and whether new trade agreements with the EU and others are in place by the end of the transition period.”