NON-ESSENTIAL work and meetings are being stepped down by Cheshire West and Chester Council as it deals with the coronavirus outbreak.

Council leader Cllr Louise Gittins gave an update on the authority’s response to COVID-19 at Wednesday’s cabinet meeting.

It comes after the pandemic first hit the borough last weekend, with its first three confirmed cases last Friday and its first victim at the Countess of Chester Hospital confirmed on Saturday.

Meanwhile, the council has teamed up with Cheshire West Voluntary Action to launch an online form where residents can offer to support the most vulnerable in their community.

“We find ourselves in unprecedented times,” Cllr Gittins said.

“The council is at the forefront of the response. We are working closely with Public Health England, the NHS and other key partners, and we are well prepared to deal with coronavirus.

“We are part of a network of public bodies working together to make sure that we protect the public and defeat this virus over time.

“It is absolutely crucial to follow Public Health England and NHS guidance to the letter – no ifs, no buts.”

Non-essential council meetings are now being postponed, with councillors being kept up-to-date with the latest information online.

Officers’ non-essential work is being reduced, with the authority expecting more council staff to be off sick in the coming weeks and resources being focused on priority areas.

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CWAC staff and councillors are being advised to work from home to prevent the spread of COVID-19 to members of the public, vulnerable residents and key front-line staff such as care workers.

“This action is vital to reduce their risk of infection from other staff members and enable them to carry on their essential and important work,” Cllr Gittins added.

“Please be reassured that we are taking decisions based on the most up-to-date Government guidance.

“This means that we may need to take further difficult decisions in the weeks ahead, however, every single one of these decisions will be in the best interests of our residents and will help us stop the spread and protect the most vulnerable in our borough.”

Councillors and officers practised social distancing at the cabinet meeting, with each sitting further away from one another than usual, and no members of the public attended.

Northwich Guardian:

CWAC cabinet members practice social distancing at Wednesday's meeting

Some members stayed at home under Government advice – including Conservative opposition councillors who sent in written statements on each agenda item.

Cheshire West’s health and wellbeing board – which includes representatives from CWAC plus local NHS, housing, public sector and voluntary organisations – held an informal online meeting instead of its usual public meeting, which had been scheduled for 2pm today, March 18.

Cllr Gittins also confirmed the new online form for residents, businesses and voluntary groups to help the vulnerable have access to things like essential food and medical supplies, as well as somebody to keep in touch with during any periods of self isolation.

Once residents have completed the online form, Cheshire West Voluntary Action will signpost them to the charities and community groups in their area so they can do their bit to tackle COVID-19.

Residents can also state what kind of volunteering they would be interested in so they can be matched with the ideal charity or community group.

To fill in the form, click here.

For the latest advice on protecting yourself and others from the coronavirus, visit nhs.uk