THE city council is beginning to postpone meetings amid coronavirus fears.

Brighton and Hove City Council (BHCC) is now “postponing” key meetings, however is yet to decide when they will be held instead.

An Environment Transport and Sustainability Committee meeting, which was due to take place at 4pm today, will not be going ahead.

And councillors who were due to attend meetings later on in the week say they have been told that these have also been called off.

>> LIVE CORORNAVIRUS UPDATES HERE

BHCC are reportedly advising people that "there will be ongoing reviews and discussions about the council’s governance arrangements and decision-making process in view of the arrangements announced by government."

The decision to postpone key council meetings comes after the Prime Minister set out the need for “drastic action” to tackle the “fast growth” of coronavirus across the UK as increased social distancing measures are introduced for the population.

Boris Johnson said all people should avoid gatherings and crowded places, while people who are vulnerable - including those are elderly - will need to undertake even more drastic measures.

The council took more than 24 hours to respond to request for comment.