Mansfield District Council said on Wednesday night its priority in the coronavirus national emergency was to ensure that critical services continue without any interruption.

Mayor Andy Abrahams said: “We’ve tackled financial difficulties, changes in leadership, but never has the call for public service been more vital to our community.

“This urgent situation will be a test for all of us but I want to be clear that Mansfield District Council is working hard to ensure that critical services continue to be delivered throughout the coronavirus epidemic.

“On Tuesday the Prime Minister called for all of us to stay at home so that we can help preserve and reduce the pressure on what could be a lifeline for ourselves and loved ones, our vital and amazing NHS.

“People have been asked to stay at home as much as possible and to go out only to work when it is essential to do so, or once a day for exercise and to shop only when necessary for essentials, like food or medicines.

“This rule applies to all council officers, too, so we are no longer operating from the Civic Centre and are home-working where we can, with front line services being delivered by a small resilient team formed across the council.

“The workforce is adapting to new ways of operating and delivering services and colleagues have been deployed where they are most needed.”

Mansfield District Council is working with the Local Resilience Forum to ensure that the humanitarian response is co-ordinated and in line with the very latest government advice.

A key piece of work is the local co-ordination of help and support for the community and the council is working with Mansfield CVS (Council for Voluntary Service) to do this.

It starts with the Mansfield Community Hub web page at www.mansfield.gov.uk/coronavirus/communityhub to signpost people to local offers of help for things such as shopping and dog walking.

Nottinghamshire County Council is co-ordinating more urgent requests for assistance through its customer service number: 0300 500 8080. There is also a dedicated county council web hub at https://www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/care/coronavirus/nottingham-and-nottinghamshire-community-support-and-volunteering-hub

Critical services that need to be delivered include the processing of housing benefits, council tax, support for tenants, support for business and, of course, help for our most vulnerable people, including those who are homeless.

The Mayor added: “Your bins will be emptied, housing benefits will be paid and support given to residents and businesses. Let us worry about delivering your services. We will do all we can to keep our town going.

“At times like this, it is important for us all to help each other. Be neighbourly and kind. Give help where you can and look after each other.

“Councillors are central to our local response in co-ordinating community efforts to help people in need and will ensure that any such responses are done with the greatest consideration for keeping vulnerable people safe. Contact your local ward councillor if you need help.”

The latest updates regarding all council services can be found at www.mansfield.gov.uk/corornavirus

For health advice go to https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

Keep up to date with the latest Government information here https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus