CHESHIRE and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership’s (LEP) chief executive says it is ‘difficult to predict’ the level of disruption a no-deal Brexit would have on the pharmaceutical industry.

LEPs were set up in 2011 to lead economic growth and job creation in areas across England.

Cheshire and Warrington LEP works with local authorities, businesses, educational institutes and other public, private and community sector organisations to achieve its goals.

Chief executive Philip Cox presented key points of Cheshire and Warrington’s local industrial strategy to Warrington Borough Council’s supporting the local economy policy committee on Tuesday.

Despite Brexit ‘diverting attention’ away from the strategy, Mr Cox insists the focus remains on the three ‘desirable outcomes’ in the document: a more productive economy, a more resilient economy and a more inclusive economy.

He told members logistics is an important focus for Cheshire and Warrington but said it appears it the area has ‘lower levels’ of productivity in the sector when compared to national figures.

After being questioned over how the UK’s scheduled departure from the EU would impact on the strategy, Mr Cox said it comprises fundamental ideas that are relevant ‘with or without Brexit’.

He also took the opportunity to highlight Cheshire and Warrington’s ‘resilient’ economy.

But Cllr Bob Barr, leader of Warrington’s Liberal Democrats, expressed his fears over the situation.

He said: “I am much less sanguine about Brexit not having an impact.”

Cllr Barr asked if there would be disruption to the chemical and pharmaceutical industries and whether export licences may ‘no longer be valid’.

In response, Mr Cox said: “It all depends on the type of Brexit that we get.

“Clearly, there is the more disruptive Brexit, the no-deal Brexit, (it) is going to have an impact, it is difficult to predict exactly what impact it will have and exactly how that will work.

“It really does depend on individual circumstances.”