Agenda item

This Council welcomes the signing of the UK–EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement, which sets out the basis for the UK’s trading relationship with the EU.

This agreement represents one of the largest free trade agreements in the world, and will allow the UK to trade with the EU without tariffs or quotas, and to maintain a constructive relationship based on free trade and cooperation on key areas of mutual interest. In addition Council notes the greater opportunities the UK and Leeds will now have to advance our trade and business relationships in the wider world outside the EU. Council regrets that a number of Labour, Liberal Democrat and other Opposition MPs chose not to support the deal, refusing even at this late stage to accept the decision of the British people in 2016.

Now that the detail of the agreement is known, this Council requests that a report is presented to Executive Board setting out the implications for Leeds and how the city can seize the opportunities presented by our new relationship with the EU. Council also requests that the cross-party member working group continues to meet in order to inform and guide this work.

It was moved by Councillor Andrew Carter, seconded by Councillor Lamb that this Council welcomes the signing of the UK–EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement, which sets out the basis for the UK’s trading relationship with the EU.

This agreement represents one of the largest free trade agreements in the world, and will allow the UK to trade with the EU without tariffs or quotas, and to maintain a constructive relationship based on free trade and cooperation on key areas of mutual interest. In addition Council notes the greater opportunities the UK and Leeds will now have to advance our trade and business relationships in the wider world outside the EU. Council regrets that a number of Labour, Liberal Democrat and other Opposition MPs chose not to support the deal, refusing even at this late stage to accept the decision of the British people in 2016.

Now that the detail of the agreement is known, this Council requests that a report is presented to Executive Board setting out the implications for Leeds and how the city can seize the opportunities presented by our new relationship with the EU. Council also requests that the cross-party member working group continues to meet in order to inform and guide this work.

An amendment was moved by Councillor Forsaith, seconded by Councillor D Blackburn

Delete everything after “This Council” and replace with:

notes with some relief that a UK–EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement has been signed, setting out the basis for the UK’s trading relationship with the EU. Council regrets the division caused by the referendum, and the significant uncertainty created over the years that it has taken to reach an agreement. Council recognises that severing our previously beneficial trading position within the EU would have been even more disastrous without a trading agreement with the EU being signed.

Now that the detail of the agreement is known, this Council requests that a report is presented to Executive Board setting out the implications for Leeds and how the city can make the most of any opportunities that may arise from the new relationship with the EU. Council also requests that the cross-party member working group continues to meet in order to inform and guide this work.

A second amendment was moved by Councillor Bentley, seconded by Councillor Campbell

 Remove everything after ‘This council’ and replace with:

is relieved that a trading agreement was made with the EU but is disappointed that

·  the UK has lost the benefits of free trade afforded to member states of the EU,

·  the non-tariff barriers introduced by our departure from the single market and customs union has made trading with our European neighbours more expensive and bureaucratic

·  Financial Services, so important to the economy of Leeds, was excluded from the agreement.

And that

·  UK citizens have lost the freedom to unconditionally travel, work and study throughout the EU.

Now that the detail of the agreement is known, this Council requests that a report is presented to Executive Board setting out the implications for Leeds and how the city can make the best of the challenges presented by our new relationship with the EU. Council also requests that the cross-party member working group continues to meet in order to inform and guide this work.

A third amendment was moved by Councillor Blake, seconded by Councillor Pryor

Delete all after “This Council” and replace with:

“….notes that the Government avoided No Deal and instead secured the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement.

Council notes the opportunities the trade agreement provides to help our economy recover from the Coronavirus pandemic and as a first step Council calls on Government to ensure EU funding repatriated to the UK is devolved to local Councils and Mayoral Combined Authorities as soon as possible.

Council notes Executive Board has received 8 reports in the last 2 years on the opportunities and challenges of Brexit for Leeds.  Council now requests a further report in light of the recent agreement that should include an update on repatriated funding and on how the city can capitalise on any new opportunities presented by the agreement.  Council confirms its support for the cross party working group to continue to meet to help inform and guide this work.”

The amendments in the name of Councillor Forsaith and Councillor Bentley were declared lost, the amendment in the name of Councillor Blake was carried and upon being put to the vote it was

RESOLVED – That this Council notes that the Government avoided No Deal and instead secured the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement.

Council notes the opportunities the trade agreement provides to help our economy recover from the Coronavirus pandemic and as a first step Council calls on Government to ensure EU funding repatriated to the UK is devolved to local Councils and Mayoral Combined Authorities as soon as possible.

Council notes Executive Board has received 8 reports in the last 2 years on the opportunities and challenges of Brexit for Leeds.  Council now requests a further report in light of the recent agreement that should include an update on repatriated funding and on how the city can capitalise on any new opportunities presented by the agreement.  Council confirms its support for the cross party working group to continue to meet to help inform and guide this work.