MORE than £250,000 could be made available to the arts, sports, housing and other community groups in Worcester in the forthcoming financial year.

The city council has proposed a figure of £256,560 for community grants for the year 2006 to 2007.

If given the go-ahead, the arts world will receive the biggest chunk of cash, with organisations such as the Swan Theatre (£58,680), Worcester Arts Workshop (£25,290) and Huntingdon Hall (£21,690) getting the bulk of the sum.

Community development groups such as the Volunteer Bureau, Worcester Action for Youth and Dines Green Streets Ahead would also benefit. The homeless have not gone unnoticed. Maggs Day Centre, which runs a daytime facility throughout the year and a night shelter from January to March, looks set to receive £17,040 and St Paul's Hostel, £3,200.

Advice and counselling groups should also get their share, with the Citizens' Advice Bureau earmarked for the most at £21,770. Worcestershire Relate, Victim Support Worcester and Worcestershire Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre are among the other proposed recipients. Community centres, now run by members of the public, are expected to be given £24,000 each.

This is the last year that such groups could receive a yearly grant. The city council has proposed setting up a three-year funding package based on a service level agreement from organisations.

According to Alan Stuttard, Worcester's head of community services, this would have several benefits. He said: "A number of key voluntary sector organisations will be able to plan their programmes more effectively due to the three-year funding and provide a better service to residents.

Worcester City Council's Cabinet is due to consider the grants and proposed changes at a meeting next Tuesday.

, March 21.

"Also, we will be in a better position to ensure that council tax payers are getting the best value for money from the funding we provide by service level agreements."