UPDATE: Cornwall Council leader Julian German has sought to clarify his comments and state that "things MAY change depending upon staff resource". He added: "Currently all waste collection services are operating as normal." He has apologised for any confusion.

Recycling collections could be suspended during the coronavirus outbreak as Cornwall Council says focus will be on black bag waste.

The council said it would have to deliver services differently as it copes with the problems caused by COVID-19 which has left staff levels short and some services having to be reduced.

Council leader Julian German said today that as a result the council could stop the current fortnightly kerbside recycling collections.

He said: "We will have to look at reduced services and our focus will be on black bag waste so we will stop taking recycling."

Cllr German was asked by the Local Democracy Reporting Service what effect there would be on recycling and rubbish collections.

Cllr German said: "So, we've got a plan in place around that which looks to reduce waste collection in the following ways of green waste collection has been taken out, from not taking recycling and our focus is to keep black bag collections going as the most important public health element of the waste collections."

Households would still be able to take their recycling to household waste recycling centres.

Black bag waste collections will continue to be undertaken weekly by operator Biffa.

No indication has been given for when the recycling collections could be suspended.

Cornwall Council has also suspended meetings of its community network panels due to public safety.

With the meetings, which are held all over Cornwall, open to the public and sometimes attracting large groups, the council decided they should be cancelled.

And the council has announced that all elections which were due to take place have also been postponed.

This includes any by-elections, parish or town council elections and neighbourhood plan referendums.

The elections will be held on a new date to be announced.

For more information about Cornwall Council and the Coronavirus go to www.cornwall.gov.uk and email any enquiries to [email protected]