Citizens Advice Cornwall and Cornwall Council have settled a high-profile row over funding.

An agreement on support for the charity will cover the next four years.

The deal follows a high-profile debate after the council’s initial proposal to cut the grant by more than 50% this year and reduce it to zero in 2019.

A public petition in protest was signed by more than 4,000 people.

And there were hundreds of responses to a Cornwall Council consultation about the issue.

More than 600 people responded to a council survey. An ‘overwhelming number – more than 80%’ supported the council finding other ways of balancing the budget to maintain Citizens Advice services across Cornwall.

The new proposal will still see a gradual reduction in council funding for Citizens Advice.

Last year’s grant of £356,000 will be reduced to £336,000 for 2018/19.

Funding for 2019/20 will be £316,000 and £296,000 for 2020/21 and 2021/22.

The Council will continue to provide premises for CA Cornwall in its St Austell One Stop Shop and work to find further premises where possible.