Those tasked with promoting Shipley should turn to the private sector to find the secret of what makes a good town tick, according to a new Bradford Council report.

Councillors on the Shipley Area Committee will be told next week that they should appoint someone from the business world to head a revamped version of its Town Centre Partnership.

The Partnership provides a place for businesses, residents and interested parties to share their views.

Councillors have previously been nominated to chair its meetings, although these have not taken place for some time.

Now the Council’s strategic director of regeneration and culture, Barra MacRuari has suggested that a private business expert would be better suited to the job for reasons of cost as well as attitude.

The role of chairman would be an unpaid position and would lead to a closer link between those in public and private sectors.

In a report to next week’s area committee meeting, Mr MacRuari writes:”At a time when the local authority is required to make savings, it is sensible to look at the best ways to foster public and private sector working to get the best for our town centres.

“It is proposed to seek a private sector chair for the Shipley Town Centre Partnership.”

He suggests this is a way business could drive the economic role of the partnership and alter its perspective following similar appointments in Bingley and Keighley.

Mr MacRuiri adds that the recruitment might take place imminently and adds that while the new chairman would be helped by the Council’s town centre manager they should pick someone with personal drive and commitment.

“There are other important qualities. These include experience in the factors that make a town tick, an ability to facilitate stakeholders to put their point across and productive decsion that will take Shipley forward,” he states in the report to be discussed when the area committee meets next Wednesday.