The leader of Cornwall Council has led a chorus of thanks from the authority for all those who have been working on the response to the coronavirus pandemic in Cornwall.

Julian German said he wanted to take the opportunity to thank all those working at the council, in health and social care and all agencies as well as those in the voluntary sector and the community who had come together to help people affected by the virus.

He made the comments at Wednesday’s meeting of the Cabinet, the first formal meeting since lockdown.

Cllr German opened the meeting saying: “I want to express my sympathy and condolences to all those families and friends who have lost loved ones in Cornwall.

“Currently 203 have died as a result from coronavirus, each of those deaths has had a profound impact on families and friends and I share their grief.”

The Cabinet then held a minute’s silence in remembrance of all those who have died in Cornwall from coronavirus.

The council leader added: “I want to take the opportunity to thank everyone involved in the response to the coronavirus pandemic. Our residents have been fantastic from following government guidelines to volunteering and help those in need.

“The pandemic would have been much worse and more difficult if residents hadn’t reacted so positively.”

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Cllr German said the response would not have worked without the help of volunteers and community groups all over Cornwall who have been helping the most vulnerable.

The council leader also paid tribute to Cabinet members who had been “leading and facilitating in their areas”.

He also thanked all the political group leaders at County Hall for regular meetings “to make sure we had consensus on the decisions we were taking”.

Cllr German also said that Cornwall had been “stronger together” and he wanted to build on that, saying he did not want to “go back to how it was before the pandemic”.

He said: “These past few months have been intense and challenging. However, they have also been inspiring and, despite the difficulties we have faced, I believe will offer an opportunity to build a better and stronger Cornwall for One and All.”

And he added: “The challenges have been huge, and the pressure on the council as a whole has been intense.  However, I am proud of the way both Councillors and officers have risen to each and every challenge we have faced.

“We reached out to partners early through the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Leadership Board to establish strong collective leadership and one public voice for Cornwall – and I want to thank all the members of that board for their work and collaboration.

“Our work with them has shown how Cornwall is stronger together.”