DISTRICT council funding for projects in the Malvern Hills area could soon become more readily available.

The council's executive committee has recommended setting up a special working group or sub-committee to consider any applications for capital funding made to the council.

The suggestion was made following a request from Clifton upon Teme village hall committee for £5,575 towards a complete renovation of its hall.

The committee was also asked to consider a grant to the Philip Baylies Charity to meet part of the £11,772 cost of repair to the Round Market, Tenbury Wells.

"Councillors accepted the principal of making a grant to the Clifton upon Teme village hall committee subject to sufficient funding being available," said assistant chief executive Stephen Leese.

"The full council will now consider the suggestion of setting up a working group or sub- committee which could allocate pump-priming grants for capital projects.

"The difficulty we have at the moment is that we don't have a scheme where the council can contribute to capital projects. We currently have to take all applications as one-offs."

The council will consider the proposal at its meeting on Wednesday, April 23, and both applications will be referred to any subsequent sub committee.