Worcester City councillors have demanded to see the Swan Theatre's accounts, after questioning why it relies on handouts.

The new "executive board", whose six members are all Conservative, also wants to examine the city's Racial Equality Council books and the balance sheets for Worcester Arts Workshop.

Coun Gary Kibblewhite, who called for the data last night, described the council's grant to the Swan as "enormous".

"I've been asking for the Swan's accounts for some months," said Coun Kibblewhite. "But I've yet to see them."

He warned that 2001-2002 was the last financial year in which Worcester City Council was committed to supporting the Swan, which had bid for £143,850 and been recommended £137,000.

"We should be looking at why the Swan is continuing to make a loss and isn't self-sufficient," Coun Kibblewhite told his colleagues.

The chief financial officer, Grahame Lucas, said he had been "led to believe" that the Swan's accounts had been sent to the director of cultural and community services, Tony Audas.

"We're in the process of getting them," added Mr Lucas.

The board's chairman, Coun Robert Rowden, added support to Coun Kibblewhite.

He said the Swan, WREC and the Arts Workshop all relied on "public involvement" and it was important to know how they spent public funds.

The board did not question the spending programmes of organisations such as Maggs Day Centre, which has been allocated £15,000, or Worcester Action for Youth, for which £24,000 has been earmarked.

Accessible

The councillors agreed to £137,000 for the Swan, £7,200 for WREC and £22,000 for the Arts Workshop. The full council will later vote on whether to approve the board's decision.

Speaking after the meeting, Labour leader David Barlow said it was clear that the Swan's future was at risk.

"The theatre's not making a loss - it's being subsidised," said Coun Barlow. "Good art should be accessible to all. It's not about examining accounts."