COUNCIL chiefs have recognised they need to think about ‘what would happen’ if the ‘lean’ authority lost staff following Brexit.

As uncertainty continues over the United Kingdom’s scheduled withdrawal from the European Union, the council has included the matter on its risk register.

The report came before its audit and corporate governance committee on Thursday.

A description of the risk highlights the prospect of the authority being unable to ‘maintain a sufficiently skilled and stable workforce’.

It also calls for ‘specific consideration’ of the impact of Brexit and the potential loss of staff in services that are either directly provided by the council, or where there is a close level of interaction or interdependence, such as in health care or construction areas.

Cllr Steve Parish (LAB – Chapelford and Old Hall) asked officers whether there are any ‘obvious problems’.

He said: “We probably don’t employ many EU citizens directly, do we?”

The politician was told it is recognised the council is a ‘pretty lean organisation’ and is reliant on a number of key individuals so it needs to try and think about ‘what would happen if we lose them for one reason or another’.

A recruitment and retention strategy is in place for children’s social workers, with ‘a number of policies and programmes’ used across the workforce.

Councillors have been informed contingency plans would comprise commissioners carrying out ‘checks’ to ensure providers are preparing for a no-deal Brexit.