VOLUNTARY workers in Ilkley are likely to get a grant of £8,000 a year for the next three years.

The Ilkley Council for Voluntary Services (ICVS) is among 150 voluntary and community groups in the district to get a share of £5.6 million from Bradford Council's community funding budget.

This week Bradford Council's Executive Committee approved the recommendations drawn up by commissioning bodies who look after local funding allocations to groups. The awards will be subject to the local authority's budget being finalised in March.

In cases like the ICVS, the funding has been allocated to groups for the next three years from April 2004.

Gill Bowskill, of the Riddings Road based ICVS, said she was pleased that the funding looked likely to be allocated. She said: "We got it last year as well and it will help us to continue our work in the community. Mrs Bowskill said that there were various aspects of the work of the ICVS which could be continued or improved using the funding.

There are different projects we are looking at, such as strengthening our volunteer bureau or the Grass Roots Project.

Grass Roots volunteers carry out gardening work for elderly or disabled people who find it impossible do it themselves.

As well as carrying out its own work, the ICVS also helps co-ordinate the work of other voluntary groups in the town, providing regular forum meetings and giving administration support such as photocopying and printing.

Mrs Bowskill said that other voluntary groups would be able to benefit from the grant award.

She said: "We will be looking for other projects and supporting all the voluntary organisations. We have 80 members and we will use that money for further development."

Although members of the ICVS committee knew they were in line for funding for the year 2004 to 2005, David Preston, Bradford Council's performance measurement manager told the Gazette that the award, if finalised in March, would cover the group for £8,000-a-year for three years.

Mrs Bowskill said: "It is very good news because it is always a relief to know we have got the funding to carry on our work."

She said that the group was always on the lookout for additional awards of cash and the next volunteer group meeting would get advice on what grants to apply for and how best to go about making applications.

Councillor Kris Hopkins (Con, Worth Valley) said: "The work of the voluntary and community sector is highly valued and this funding underlines our commitment to working in partnership with these organisations to ensure that vulnerable people get the best possible support."

Further applications from voluntary groups for grants of up to £5,000 for new ideas and projects are being invited by Bradford Council.