Hertfordshire County Council is stockpiling fuel for the county’s fire service – amid fears that Brexit could result in a fuel shortage.

Fire appliances are usually filled with fuel from a small number of petrol bunkers around the county – or by using fuel cards at local petrol stations.

But now, fire fighters have been told not to use fuel from the bunkers – this is to ensure they can use the supply if there is a national fuel shortage after the UK withdraws from the EU.

Fuel shortages are one of the key post-Brexit risks that the county council is preparing for.

It’s estimated that the ‘bunkered’ fuel would keep the emergency vehicles running for an additional three months after routine supplies had dried up.

The county council's resources and performance cabinet panel were warned of some of the Brexit risks on Thursday (October 24).

Among the catalogue of risks is the potential for widespread traffic disruption in the south east that could result in significant congestion at key locations in Hertfordshire, like the M25 and lorry parks.

That congestion could impact on the delivery of fuel, with further shortages impacted by panic-buying - councillors were told.

There could be a reduction in the range of foods available, like fresh produce, or increases in food prices.

And the reduction on flow of goods between the UK and the EU could impact on supply chains in Hertfordshire for up to six months, the panel heard.

Although the NHS has stockpiled medicine and medical supplies for up to six months, the council’s report says that if border disruption continued there could then be shortages.

And if the supply of chemicals to treat UK water is disrupted, there could be disruption to supplies – but this risk is said to be low.

As well as supplies, there are a number of risks to Hertfordshire associated with EU nationals leaving the UK, and with UK nationals returning.

Should EU nationals leave, the county's care sector could be affected - leading to even more care worker vacancies. And there could be further shortages of engineers, nurses and planners, a report warned.

Meanwhile UK nationals who have been living in Europe may return to Hertfordshire. And they may require the support of health and social care services.

In the case of ‘no deal’, it is believed the number of unaccompanied asylum seeking children in Hertfordshire would increase, who would need the support of the authority.

And it was reported to the cabinet panel there are risks for the council related to contracts with EU-based companies for services such as waste recycling, as well as uncertainty around exchange rates, VAT rules and rising costs.

A report presented by the county council’s assistant director for strategic prevention and regulatory services Guy Pratt states: “. . . the financial implications of Brexit, whether in the event of a withdrawal agreement being reached or a no-deal scenario, is considered a significant risk facing the council.”

The county council, it was reported, started preparations for a ‘no deal’ Brexit at the end of last year. Now, the Brexit Incident Management Team is meeting daily.

But some questions from councillors suggested the plans included a lot of ‘monitoring’ – and questioned whether further actions should have been included.

Liberal Democrat Paul Zukowskyj said the best way to mitigate risk is to plan for that risk – but he said a number of responses suggested “close monitoring”. He suggested this was not the best way to deal with it.