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Cllr Kevin Bentley, Chairman of the Local Government Association’s Brexit Taskforce, responded to the Housing, Communities and Local Government Select Committee report on support for councils to prepare for Brexit 

“Councils are taking a lead on preparations for Brexit and are as prepared as they can be for Brexit given the uncertainty surrounding the process. There remain resource, information and advice gaps that councils are facing while helping their communities prepare.

“While it is important to stress that business and communities are being well supported by councils as the nation prepares to leave the EU, the LGA continues to identify the issues which need to be addressed at a national level to ensure more effective local work.

“In the longer term, Brexit cannot result in swapping Brussels for Whitehall. Devolving powers to local communities through local government must be on the agenda and we will be pressing hard for this post-Brexit. Councils know their area best and it is important that the proposed Shared Prosperity Fund gives local areas more power and control over how funding is allocated and spent.”

Report:  Government failing to fully support local authorities to prepare for Brexit – urgent action needed