Pembrokeshire County Council is under the national spotlight this week (Aug 1) after it released to Sky News its internal Brexit risk register detailing 19 ways it thinks Brexit will have an impact.

All but one of them is listed as negative, with seven coded red – ‘likely to have a high impact’ – including ‘the imposition of border controls’ and the ‘ready availability of vital supplies – foodstuff and medicines.’

There is one ‘positive’ listed: that people might move away so there will be less demand on council services.

Sky News said on their website: “In a major Freedom of Information project Sky News has obtained dozens of Brexit Impact studies conducted by local councils around the United Kingdom. The Brexit files show a picture of councils exasperated by central government and scrabbling to make contingency plans.”

Preseli Pembrokeshire MP, Stephen Crabb told The Pembrokeshire Herald: “This reads as a very political document which has clearly been written by someone strongly opposed to Britain leaving the EU. It is right to look at all eventualities and do sensible planning, but this paper borders on scaremongering.

“I have spent the last 12 months on the Brexit committee in Parliament, examining all probable scenarios relating to Brexit, and not once has Pembrokeshire County Council raised any concerns or sought further information from that committee.”

“Since the referendum result I have spoken to local businesses, major employers and the ports in the constituency. It is clear from these discussions that although there is vigilance and no complacency, there is also a solid mood of optimism about what lies ahead. Brexit provides opportunities as well as challenges.”

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