LEADERS from Worcester City Council will freeze a grant paid to the Worcestershire Racial Equality Council until they are reassured about how the charity is being run.

The WREC asked for £15,000 but officers at the Guildhall decided to give it £7,710.

But council leader Coun Stephen Inman wants to meet chief executive Dr Mohammed Aslam and chairman Dan Wicksteed before the £7,710 is handed over because he is "worried" about the WREC.

"We need to make it clear the council doesn't automatically fund organisations without question and has to be satisfied that they are responsible," he said. His decision comes after the Worcester News revealed last week that three senior members of the WREC's executive committee had quit and the Mayor of Worcester wanted no further involvement.

Ted Duckett, one of the three, called for Dr Aslam and Mr Wicksteed to step down, as he believed the WREC was wasteful with money and showed little management of staff.

"I can't ignore the fact from what I read all is not well at the WREC," Coun Inman told his cabinet on Tuesday.

"I know there are two sides to every story and therefore I don't make any judgement at this stage on the rights and wrongs about what has allegedly happened. But we as a council have to act prudently and responsibly when dealing with public money," he added.

Mr Wicksteed said the WREC's smaller handout was "definitely a disappointment" but understood the city council wanted guarantees.

"I do regret this but I do realise that they want to be assured that the money is spent wisely, but we will certainly assure them of that," he said.

"The city council currently helps us with the building and lighting and therefore it's only right they are reassured."

Dr Aslam was unavailable for comment. Ted Duckett's letter appears on page 6 today.