FEARS have been raised over whether the capacity of officers across Warrington Borough Council is sufficient to fulfil responsibilities effectively.

The issue arose during the audit and corporate governance committee meeting at the Town Hall on Thursday.

A statement in a report to the committee, which covered the workforce and Brexit, said the impact of Brexit and the associated consequences continues to develop.

It added: “It has been recognised by the council that a key risk which should continue to be monitored, due to the changing nature of the council’s business and the expanding and diverse nature and complexity of activities, is whether the capacity of officers across the organisation is sufficient for them to be able to fulfil their responsibilities effectively.

“Demand for services continues to increase and is recognised as a national issue. Continued consideration is given to the impact of Brexit and the potential loss of staff in services provided directly by the council or in services provided by partners.

“Staffing structures are under constant review and new developments in agile and dynamic outcomes-based working will support the move to the new council offices.”

Cllr Mark Jervis (CON – Appleton) commented on the matter.

“I think there is a statement there which made me go wow,” he said.

“It says it has been recognised by the council that a key risk which will continue to be monitored due to the changing nature of the council’s business and the expanding and diverse nature and complexity of activities is whether the capacity of officers across the organisation is sufficient for them to be able to fulfil their responsibilities effectively.

“That is a stunning statement to read at an audit committee.”

Matthew Cumberbatch, the council’s director of law and governance, responded to the comments.

He said: “The comment obviously is made in the context of Brexit – so if you look at it we talk about social care, third sector and key partners.

“In that context I don’t think it’s outside of many opinions which have been given up and down the country.

“It is a recognised risk which I think a lot of organisations, local authorities, are facing at the moment following Brexit, clearly there is an issue with regard to getting staff in place for different things, so that is recognised in the context of that particular aspect.”

But Cllr Jervis said: “It’s not just in terms of Brexit, it talks about due to the changing nature of the council’s business and the expanding and diverse nature and complexity of activities.

“I don’t think that’s anything to do with Brexit. It may be to do with its commercial investment activities etcetera, I don’t know, but it’s not to do with Brexit from what I read here.”

The committee was told it is something which is in the strategic risk register – which includes risks that have not necessarily ‘come to pass’.

Officers say they have recognised that it is a risk but there are measures in the strategic risk register to deal with it.