Peter Taylor has praised the "impressive" response of Watford Council to the coronavirus pandemic.

Watford's mayor paid tribute to council staff at the first virtual meeting of Watford Council’s cabinet on Monday, saying they have done an "exceptional job".

Supporting 60 rough sleepers and the bereaved, the support for businesses and the recruitment of 1,100 volunteers was highlighted in the meeting.

But also highlighted in the meeting, which was streamed live on the council's YouTube page, was the ongoing work to move the focus to the ‘new normal’, after the lock-down measures were lifted.

Mr Taylor said: "I think we should start by placing on record our thanks to the council officers who have done an exceptional job in a very difficult set of circumstances,” he said.

"And I think the response in so many areas has been very, very impressive."

Later Mr Taylor referred to the increasingly important need to 'plan for recovery'.

He said: "Things aren’t going to return to normal. It’s about thinking about the future growth for the town and how we can work in a co-ordinated way and make sure that we are continuing to be a successful place."

Portfolio holder for client services, Councillor Tim Williams, highlighted the continuation of waste collection services and the reopening of cemeteries to visitors.

He said: "We have certainly pulled together as a council and as a town."