CORNWALL COUNCIL's Cabinet looks set to perform a U-turn on plans to slash funding for bus services – the second time it has reversed a decision after there had been a public outcry.

There had been fears some rural areas could be left without any bus services when the council announced last year it was reviewing its subsidies.

However Councillor Graeme Hicks, Cabinet member for transport, announced ahead of this week's meeting that he would ask senior councillors to keep the funding for another year.

Mr Hicks said: "I am delighted to be able to make this recommendation to Cabinet which I hope will put minds at rest over the issue. This is a situation that was not of the council's making, but it is our duty to resolve and this recommendation will help protect these important community links.

"This funding will come from savings and efficiencies made this year and in future years. This has put us in a much stronger position than other local authorities to be able to protect vital local services such as buses.

"Taking into account the rural nature of Cornwall, reducing the supported bus network would have a serious impact on the people we are elected to serve and support."

Speaking ahead of yesterday's meeting Mr Hicks said: "Bus services are a lifeline for many communities and therefore I have a responsibility to local people to find the additional funding. I am now recommending to Cabinet that we continue to provide funding for the supported bus network and I am hopeful that they will agree."

The move follows a similar U-turn at the end of last year when plans to cut funding for almost half of the council's public toilets was pulled at the last minute, with council leader, Alec Robertson instead pledging cash to keep them open for another year.

Councillor Jeremy Rowe, Liberal Democrat group leader at County Hall, welcomed the move but said it still left a potential problem in two years' time.

He said: "We are delighted that the Conservatives have performed a U-turn and have guaranteed the future of the current bus network for the next two years. But we are concerned that there is no certainty for the network beyond the next election and no plan for how the network can be expanded."

He added: "We need a vision for the future that means residents can plan beyond another crisis in two years' time."