Surrey County Council (SCC) will not be calling for a People’s Vote as officers “progress” with preparations for Brexit.

These include preparing contingency plans for an emerging plan, the SCC workforce, including the wider care sector, non-UK EU national Surrey residents and returning UK nationals.

A response to councillors about what is being done about preparing for all Brexit scenarios presented at SCC full council on Tuesday (December 11) said: “Work is underway to ensure plans are in place to mitigate against potential disruption for the council and for residents. Officers are progressing our preparations and contingency plans for all eventualities in four priority areas.

“Preparations comprise establishing comprehensive awareness of implications for those priority areas, plans to mitigate against any negative implications and how we deliver support to those affected people.”

The reply written by former council leader David Hodge said it was not the county council’s place to lobby the prime minister or Surrey MPs for a People’s Vote.

He added: “Such representations are more likely to come from individual members or others, rather than the county council, where the focus is upon managing any impacts or implications on behalf of Surrey’s residents.”

The question came after Kent County Council’s leader produced proposals to avoid disruption if Britain leaves the EU.