A REPORT assessing how Britain’s departure from the European Union could affect Gloucestershire will be prepared by the county council.

Members of the Gloucestershire County Council agreed that work should be conducted to better understand the effect that 'Brexit' could have on public sector organisations across the county.

The motion, jointly proposed by the Labour and Liberal Democrat groups at the full council meeting on Wednesday, June 29, called for a review into the economic implications of leaving the EU.

Leader of the Labour group Cllr Lesley Williams said: “This motion was about bringing the County together, regardless of how we voted. It’s about putting a plan of action in place, and getting our house in order.

“I was thrilled that the Conservatives and Liberals supported our call for action. We will await the report from the council in September and by then we will an idea of what challenges are ahead of us.”

The report will obtain evidence from GFirst LEP (Gloucestershire’s Local Enterprise Partnership), NHS organisations and district council partners throughout the county to put together a full picture of the local implications of Brexit.

An initial draft is planned to be submitted in September, with a final draft being available from December.

Cllr Paul Hodgkinson, leader of the Liberal Democrat group, said: “We're going through a momentous time and this gives us the opportunity to provide leadership locally.

“Today set the wheels in motion to get the council prepared for ‘Brexit’ and for all councillors to understand the possible impact on services."

Leader of the council Mark Hawthorne said: “As democrats, whatever individual councillors campaigned for, we all have a duty to pull together and put the best interests of our county, and our country, first.

“The council has already started looking at some of their implications of “Brexit”, and while many won’t be known for some time, I am happy to share what we know with councillors.”

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