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Solace blog

4th August 2017

Helping to shape a successful Brexit

Last month, the Prime Minister signalled that Government is open to considering all ideas and contributions to tackle the complex negotiations arising from Brexit.

This approach presents an important opportunity for all communities and stakeholders affected by terms of the EU exit negotiations, virtually every element of which impacts upon our sector.
The LGA are working hard to represent Local Government interests, but we must also actively engage through local and regional channels to champion the needs of our localities and regions in a post-Brexit landscape.

In South Tyneside we recently facilitated a BREXploration event, bringing together a broad stakeholder group of experts from across the North East to explore opportunities and challenges of life post-Brexit. Council Leaders, Business representatives, current and former MEPs, health and higher education partners all collectively examined the issues.

BBC Home Editor Mark Easton provided a national perspective and chaired a plenary session, facilitating debate on themed findings. Participants contributed to in-depth round-table discussions across three themes identified as being critical to the North East.

An Increasing Prosperity group examined terms of trade and international direct investment. The Workforce and Skills roundtable looked at current and anticipated shortages in skills across different sectors; and the Community Collaboration discussion led by Collaborate Dr. Henry Kippin gave consideration to community strengths and needs, and how successfully devolved services and former-EU powers could look.

The key messages from the event will be used to support Government’s evidence base and lobby for the needs and aspirations of the North East in negotiations and policy decisions.

By Martin Swales, Chief Executive of South Tyneside MBC and Solace Spokesperson for Economic Growth and Housing