A non-executive director of Airedale Primary Care Trust has claimed that "very little progress" has been made in parts of the trust's race equality scheme.

A report on the scheme, set up three years ago, revealed that the number of black and ethnic minority staff employed by the PCT had failed to rise in that time, despite an increase in the total staff employed.

Khadim Hussain said at this week's Airedale PCT board meeting: "It highlights some of the concerns already raised in terms of the PCT as an employer.

"We need to open up the process."

However, fellow non-executive director Vaughan Bruce said: "You can't force people to apply for jobs. It doesn't work that way."

Director of equality Ali Jan Haider said: "We are taking positive action and currently working in partnership with schools, Bradford University and colleges."

Mr Haider also expressed the hope that Airedale PCT would benefit from the proposed merger with other PCTs in the Bradford district.

He said: "Part of the hope is that Airedale will benefit from the synergy rather than being a victim."

The number of staff employed by the PCT increased by 19 per cent from April 2003 to December 2005, but the proportion of staff from black and ethnic minority backgrounds remained constant at just 8 per cent.

l Airedale PCT is on course to break even by the end of the financial year. The trust is currently just £186,000 in debt, out of a total turnover of £138 million, with further savings still to be made.

New financial director Sue Burton, who took over the role from Jonathan Coulter, said: "The current overspend is £186,000 but in terms of movement between now and the end of the year, it is only a small sum.

"Overall, we will achieve financial balance at the year end."

The final balance incorporates an overspend of £1.4 million in provider services.

In a report to board members, Mr Coulter said: "Clearly this cannot be sustained into 2006. We are going through the process at the moment of comparing services across Bradford and utilising the prospect of moving to one organisation in the future to set realistic budgets for next year."

However, the prescribing budget is significantly underspent and is helping to offset deficits elsewhere. The balance also includes a recharge from North Bradford PCT of £233,000.

Non-executive director Alison McGregor said: "From where we were not long ago, it's no small achievement."