The leader of Cornwall Council has paid tribute to staff and the people of Cornwall for all they are doing to help others during the coronavirus outbreak.

Julian German made a full statement on the issue to Wednesday’s meeting of the council’s Cabinet.

He said: “I want to make sure that people know that Cornwall Council will do all that it can to support its residents and businesses to mitigate the effects of coronavirus.

“We will work with our residents, communities and partners – Cornwall is a place that pulls together.

“I ask everybody to pull together and work together over the next few months.”

The Cabinet meeting saw councillors sitting with spaces in between themselves in line with social distancing guidelines and some councillors opted not to attend the meeting to reduce their risk.

Cllr German said the council wanted to ensure that decision-making still takes place, but legislation due to come forward on Friday (March 20) was expected to put restrictions on how Cornwall Council, town and parish councils operate over the next few months.

He added: “The latest information on coronavirus can be accessed through the front page of the Cornwall Council website, which has links to public health and latest information.”

Council chief executive Kate Kennally also addressed Cabinet about what the council is doing in response to COVID-19.

She said: “This week has been a week where we have completely revisited our planning assumptions and work arrangements following the Prime Minister’s statements.”

Ms Kennally said vulnerable staff were being supported to work from home and the council was working to ensure staff were used in the best way to ensure essential services can continue to be provided.

She said the council was making support and help for Cornwall’s most vulnerable residents a priority and working with the NHS to make the most of resources.

The chief executive said it was “inevitable” that it would have an impact on Cornwall’s economy and the services that are provided by the council.

She said the council would learn a lot about how its technology and systems can work to cope with the changes which would be needed.

Ms Kennally said meetings were being held on a daily basis and the council was working with the local resilience forum to respond to guidance from the Government.

She said: “A number of working groups will be working to meet the issues and responding to the issued that are on members’, residents’ and businesses’ minds and being able to develop the appropriate response.”

And she added that she had spoken to the council’s chief finance officer and said “resources should not be a reason for not taking the necessary steps”.

She said the council would be feeding that to the Government to ensure the council is provided with the necessary support “to meet the needs of the people of Cornwall”.

Ms Kennally added: “Some of the things that we had planned for the next few weeks and months will have to go on the back burner – but this is our number-one priority.

“I am grateful for the support and help we have had from staff to to turn our business model on its head.”

Cllr German said the council would be working closely with the voluntary sector in Cornwall on responding to coronavirus.

He said there would be co-ordination to ensure that all the offers of help were utilised in the best way.

The council leader said support had been offered to businesses impacted with help with business rates and loans and the council would be making sure that information and support for how to apply for that help would be in place this week.

He said: “We will continue to work in partnership to do all we can to support the businesses of Cornwall.”

Cllr German said he had thanked staff for support and help at a meeting of the leadership board.

But he added: “I would like to thank them again as I know they will rise to the challenge in front of us as well as I know that the amazing Cornish public will do whatever they can to help.”

Cllr German said anyone who wants more information about Coronavirus should email covid19@cornwall.gov.uk

And he said that advice for businesses would be available through the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Growth Hub or by calling 01209 708660.