HEREFORDSHIRE Council bosses say they are working with the national government to ensure local services are protected after Brexit.

One of the biggest concerns from local councils after the UK voted to leave the European Union was addressing the potential £8.4 billion UK-wide funding gap for local government.

The funding gap would immediately open up from the point the UK officially exited the EU, unless a viable domestic successor to EU regional aid is put in place.

Since then, the Local Government Association has called for a government commitment to replace vital EU regeneration funding.

The government pledged to create a UK Shared Prosperity Fund to replace the money local areas currently receive from the European Union.

Herefordshire Council is actively involved in informing central government policy development through the emerging fund to ensure it will continue to provide the best possible services to residents and businesses.

A council spokesperson said: “We are working closely with central government and local partners on programmes to support continued growth and a positive jobs market in Herefordshire.”

The council is also working closely with the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership on drafting strategic economic plans and industrial strategy for Herefordshire and Shropshire.

He added: “The SEP will likely deal with large scale infrastructure, such as roads, utilities, housing and employment while the LIS will address business growth and support key sectors, centres of excellence, inward investment.

“Both documents will reflect local investment priorities and key economic sectors, positioning Herefordshire in a post Brexit landscape whilst also providing a policy base to access LEP routed government funding.”

A total of 64,122 (59.2%) of Herefordshire residents voted for the UK to leave the EU while 44,148 (40.8) voted to remain. Turnout was 78.3%.