BEXLEY’s racial-equality council is running out of cash and may be forced to sack its manager.

Ironically, the cash crisis at Bexley Council for Racial Equality (BCRE) has been created by the council’s parent body, which has refused to pay the 20 per cent annual grant.

Now there are fears Jeanette Haider, the BCRE director, could be forced out of her job because there will not be enough money to pay her wages and run the programmes planned for this year.

The National Commission for Racial Equality (NCRE) has changed the rules for claiming the 20 per cent core funding, under its new Getting Results programme.

BCRE made its application for money but did not succeed. It was invited to make another bid in the second round of applications, which is open to a wider range of groups, but failed to secure any money the second time around.

Bexley Council has already voiced its concern at the decision and is setting up a meeting between the council, NCRE and BCRE. And it has confirmed its continuing financial support for BCRE.

But the news has provoked much anger in the borough. Bexley’s asylum seekers’ and refugees’ group has already launched a petition to save Mrs Haider’s job.

People living in Dale View, Slade Green, say Mrs Haider was the catalyst for the major improvements to their estate.

One resident, Simon Goudie said: “She was there for us from the very beginning and brought all the big players in. And she knew when to bow out.

“We are determined to make sure she stays. Our little part of the world will be a poorer place if she goes.

“We are fuming mad she could be just brushed aside without any acknowledgement.” Mrs Haider also has the backing of Bexley’s churches, who say she has put BCRE on the map and worked on its many projects.

They, and many others, fear BCRE’s cash woes could give the wrong signals to far right groups like the British National Party, which is already working actively in the borough.

John Austin, MP for Erith and Thamesmead, who is a one-time director of BCRE himself, told News Shopper he had written to NCRE chairman Trevor Phillips voicing his concern and stressing the BNP once had its national headquarters in Bexley, as well as targeting the borough in last year’s borough elections.

“Apart from all the personal work with ethnic minorities and refugees, BCRE is very much involved in work to encourage and enable communities to help bring about improvements locally and there is a shortage of that kind of work in Bexley,” he added.