PEMBROKESHIRE County Council has predicted that Brexit will have a negative effect on the area, with very few positive returns.

The council’s impact log, which was first obtained by Sky News under FOI, outlines 19 ways that Brexit could affect the county.

The document breaks down issues by probability and impact, with seven of the negative effects listed as high impact.

The council has said they believe 18 of the issues will have a negative impact, with only one positive.

The only positive effect listed was the possibility of reduced demand for services if the population is reduced, the probability of which was listed as unknown.

How will the county's workforce be affected?

A spokesperson for PCC said a review of the council’s workforce revealed only 13 workers were from EU27 countries.

“However, a potentially bigger issue for the authority is the number of EU27 nationals present in private sector businesses on which the council relies, especially in social care and construction,” the spokesperson said.

“Here the numbers of EU27 nationals are thought to be much larger but we have no data to allow us to understand how many of these might leave the UK as a result of Brexit.

“It was to identify knowledge gaps such as these that the Impact Log was designed.”

How will funding be impacted?

The impact log states there is a certain probability of EU funding being removed with high impact.

However, the council said that it was not possible to identify which area of Pembrokeshire would be most affected because EU funding was available across the whole county.

The spokesperson added that the council did not know if any funding would be available to replace EU funding or how it will be targeted.

How could transport be changed?

On Tuesday it was reported that part of M20 may need to be turned into a lorry park for vehicles waiting to cross the English Channel.

The council said it is not possible to know whether Pembrokeshire will need a similar situation until details of withdrawal are known.

The spokesperson said: “If it is supposed that there is a border between Ireland and Wales this may cause freight movements to change.

“Already ferries are being commissioned to move freight direct from Ireland to France and Spain avoiding the UK.”

Could tourism be impacted?

The impact log did not address how tourism in Pembrokeshire would be affected because the council was not aware of any studies into how Brexit will affect UK tourism.

“Brexit is thought to have reduced real UK household income levels,” the spokesperson said.

“We are not aware of any credible evidence that Brexit will reverse this.

“But whether this will mean that people are more likely to holiday in the UK, or less likely to holiday at all, we do not know.”

What do the politicians think?

Simon Hart, Conservative MP for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire responded to the release of the PCC’s impact logs, he said: “Whilst it is right to look at all possible outcomes, the Council should avoid coming across as alarmist, and possibly damaging the local economy as a result.”

These thoughts were echoed by Stephen Crabb, MP for Preseli Pembrokeshire, he said: “It is right to look at all eventualities and do sensible planning, but this paper borders on scaremongering.

“Since the referendum result, I have spoken to local businesses, major employers and the ports in the constituency.

“It is clear from these discussions that although there is vigilance and no complacency, there is also a solid mood of optimism about what lies ahead. Brexit provides opportunities as well as challenges."