COPELAND council has vowed to protect vulnerable people after Brexit, as well as dealing with potential antisocial behaviour in view of a general election.

Mike Starkie, mayor of Copeland, said people “are sick and tired of listening to the posturing” about Brexit.

The authority is also considering delivering extra training to deal with antisocial behaviour as the prospect of a general election increases.

The same had been done ahead of the European election.

Copeland council’s executive received a report on how the authority is preparing for Brexit.

The main focus for the area will be on safeguarding vulnerable residents as the council fears Brexit could have a negative impact on food and foodbanks.

Councillor Steve Morgan asked what was being done to prepare for a potential snap general election.

Officers said the authority “was as ready as it could be” and extra training was being considered to deal with divisive views.

At a meeting on Monday, mayor Mike Starkie said: “I think it is important that this agenda item [Brexit] has come before executive.

“The whole country is rather sick and tired of listening to the posturing of the various sides of the debate.

“As elected mayor and leader of the authority I am pleased that we have a good handle on how the Brexit situation may affect our residents from a district council perspective.

“When I say how it may affect our residents, I had an interesting chat earlier with our policy officer Peta Leigh, who is collating all the information coming through, who told me that last Thursday alone she received no less than 14 updates.

“I think that gives an indication of the fluid, or some may say confused, picture that is Brexit.”

The report presented to the committee said: “We have identified three major internal concerns.

“One remains the food Brexit issues for our vulnerable residents, another is supplies to the council for operational delivery, which are being managed currently, and the final is relating to some key contracts.

“All of these are being actively managed.”

Pat Graham, chief executive officer at Copeland council, said the authority was making sure it was “plugged in” by liaising with other authorities and agencies.

She said reports the council received were not always relevant.

She said: “Some aspects aren’t particularly relevant to us but some we need to think twice as hard.”