Enfield Council‘s Leader will meet Eastern European nationals to hear their concerns about Brexit at a community meeting designed to encourage EU nationals to apply for Settled Status.
The meeting at Community House in Fore Street, Edmonton on 6 October is part of a package of measures Enfield Council has been putting together to encourage the borough’s estimated 21,000 EU citizens to stay here after Britain leaves the EU.
Cllr Caliskan, said: “We are proud that so many people from European Union countries have chosen to live in Enfield and are making a positive contribution to our borough. We want our EU national residents to stay here and that is why we are working hard to make sure they apply for settled status.
“Enfield is a wonderfully diverse borough and our EU residents make huge contributions to our quality of life. We would have a poorer borough if our friends and neighbours from Europe decided not to stay and I’m making a personal plea for them to remain here, continue to contribute to our society and enjoy everything the area has to offer.
“I know many EU nationals have genuine concerns and are deeply unsettled about their future and it is vital they apply for settled status if they want to stay here after Brexit, as soon as they possibly can.”
Enfield Council has been working with external partners, including the Police and the NHS, in a multi-agency approach to prepare for Brexit. Each Council department has worked to understand the potential challenges the organisation may face delivering future services in the borough and how it may need to respond to community concerns.
Over 21,000 EU residents in the borough have been sent a letter by the Council outlining their options and explaining the importance of applying for settled status if they wish to say in Enfield after Brexit.
The Council has also set up a taskforce working to minimise the impact of Brexit and has created a dedicated Brexit webpage resource for local people to use. The local authority is continuing to look for new ways to help keep residents informed of developments. You can log on at www.enfield.gov.uk/brexit.
London Councils has made representations to the government on behalf of Enfield Council, of its concerns about the harmful impact a ‘No Deal’ Brexit could have on the country, including to vital services delivered by local councils, such as adult social care.
The Home Office has stated that EU nationals have until 31 December 2020 to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme to protect their status,but given the issues raised by potential restrictions on freedom of movement, Enfield Council is advising people who want to remain in the UK to register by 31 October 2019.
