Immediately after the UK’s EU referendum, the WLGA along with the three other UK local government associations called for the voice of local government to be heard during the exit negotiations.

Since then, we have had a number of meetings with the UK Government and will continue to have these meetings as the Brexit negotiations progress. Our discussions with the UK Government are focused on the following areas, where it is important local authorities have information and assurances:  

• Future Funding arrangements
• Ensuring local government is involved in developing all the necessary legislative arrangements across key areas of interest to local government (procurement, state aid, environment, waste, consumer protection, consumer rights etc) and is consulted on proposed new UK legislation during the pre-legislative period
• The devolution of EU powers to the local level
• Place based impact of Brexit
• Employment and community cohesion

The UK local government associations can provide the UK Government with essential evidence on the local impact of Brexit. The WLGA has already published two Brexit surveys to Welsh local authorities and will publish future calls for evidence, in order to provide the UK Government with the evidence base required for its Brexit planning. 

The WLGA is simultaneously working to influence the Welsh Government’s Brexit planning. We coordinated an all- Wales response[LS1]  to their consultation on Regional Investment in Wales after Brexit (March 2018). WLGA is represented on the First Minister’s EU Advisory Group and the Welsh Government’s environment, agriculture & rural affairs working groups. WLGA has also responded to a number of National Assembly for Wales inquiries relating to Brexit, since the referendum result.

The WLGA has a crucial role to play in keeping Welsh Local Authorities informed on how the Brexit negotiations are progressing and how the WLGA is representing them in these negotiations. In addition to this, the WLGA takes opportunities to brief other Elected Members and officers by attending key regional or network meetings.

Links:

• The UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement - An Overview (Dentons)
• The EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement in detail (Pinsent Masons)
• Welsh Government - EU and transition period - Brexit
• Welsh Parliament - Senedd Research - Brexit
• UK Parliament - Research and Analysis - Brexit
• Local Government Association - Brexit
• EU Referendum Outcome and Implications - WLGA Council 01/07/2016
• Brexit Update and emerging position on future regional policy - WLGA Coordinating Committee 24/02/2017
• Brexit Development and Implications for Local Government: Agreeing WLGA Action - WLGA Executive Board 20/07/2017
• Brexit and EU related activity in WLGA - WLGA Council 24/11/2017
• WLGA Brexit Questionnaire (2) - WLGA Management Sub-Committee 18/02/2023

For more information contact: Lowri Gwilym