Worcestershire councillors to get extra funds for wards

Every county councillor in Worcestershire will be given £10,000 a year to spend in their wards.

The 57 elected councillors will choose how to spend their portion on activities, charities or not-for-profit organisations in the area.

The Divisional Fund was approved at a meeting and will be trialled for two years starting in August.

Council leader Adrian Hardman said the money will help councillors to better support their local communities.

He said: "I believe that giving them control over how they support local projects will assist them in that role and will help ensure the funding support the county council provides is directed at those groups and projects which need it most."

A system will be put in place to support the Divisional Fund to ensure it is spent appropriately.