Wakefield Council meetings called off after Boris Johnson's TV address on Monday night

The council's Cabinet meeting was scheduled to go ahead as planned until 10.30am today, right up until the Prime Minister announced an outright ban on public gatherings of two or more people in his TV address at 8.30pm.

Mr Johnson urged people to stay indoors unless they are going out for exercise or shopping for essentials, as a state of emergency continues.

The council had planned to hold the Cabinet meeting in a larger room than normal to observe social distancing guidelines, though government advice to local authorities last week told them to hold meetings "virtually, or not at all".

Council leader Denise Jeffery had been expected to give an update on how the coronavirus pandemic is being addressed locally, while elected members were also set to discuss an extension to £100 on-the-spot-fines for street drinkers in Wakefield.

A licensing committee meeting scheduled for Wednesday afternoon has also been called off following last night's address.

Local Democracy Reporting Service