The first full meeting of Cornwall Council since lockdown will take place today – but with councillors not in the council chamber but their own homes.

While a number of council committees and the Cabinet have met online since the lockdown in March there have been no full council meetings.

Tuesday’s meeting will see councillors receive a report on the council’s response to coronavirus and the approach to recovery and renewal.

There are sure to be tributes paid to all those who have been working to help those affected by the virus and condolences will be paid to those who have lost family and loved ones.

In addition there is a report on the council’s capital programme with a recommendation that it be increased by almost £46million.

The council will also debate a report on whether it should lobby the government to get the voting age lowered to 16.

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It comes after a motion which went before full council last year tabled by Liberal Democrat group leader Malcolm Brown.

The report went to the constitution and governance committee last week but was referred back to the full council with no formal recommendation.

In 2016 the council voted to support calls for the voting age to be lowered but at the constitution and governance committee Conservative councillors said they were opposed to the plans.

Cllr Brown said: “If the Conservatives continue to oppose this, I anticipate that the vote at the council meeting will be very close. I must say, though, that I would consider it a shameful result if the council changed its mind from four years ago.

“The case for votes at 16 is even stronger now. As well as Scotland, Wales has recently introduced votes at 16. I would much prefer it if we were in line with our Celtic colleagues than the English.

“Think back to the Friday demonstrations by school children outside County Hall before the pandemic stopped them. Young people are probably much more aware of the climate emergency than any other age group and we should give them a voice. Our sixth forms and colleges turn out well educated, politically aware students who deserve a vote.

“Think also about which age group is most likely to be harmed economically by the Covid crisis – the 16 and 17 year olds. Should they go to university? Will they get a job? Their future is even more at stake than anyone else’s. If they have votes, inevitably politician will listen to them more. The time for votes at 16 has come and I want Cornwall Council to say so loud and clear.”

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There are also two new motions set to go before the council tomorrow – the first is from Labour councillor Jayne Kirkham who is calling on the council to spend more of its £1.2billion budget in Cornwall and to use suppliers which are environmentally and socially responsible.

The second motion, from Lib Dem councillor Jackie Bull, is calling on the council to support calls for action to save the coach tour industry and hotels which rely on them.

Cornwall Council is due to meet at 10am. The meeting will be held online.