Hidden treasures in City Hall are soon expected to go on display as the Council takes steps to make the historic building a place which people can enjoy.

The proposals to put most of the civic silver in showcases were revealed by Bradford's Lord Mayor, Councillor Richard Wightman, as he prepared to hand over to chains of honour to Councillor Allan Hillary tomorrow.

He believes the public have a right to see and enjoy Bradford's heritage and some of the best times during his term of office have been when schoolchildren have come to City Hall to learn history first hand.

He recalled one occasion when children were told about the district's war heroes and saw the memorials, a youngster saw him standing in the corridor and asked 'When did you die?'.

Coun Wightman (Con Rombalds) will also step down as a councillor and he will leave as the winds of change start to blow through the Grade One listed building.

Bauman Lyons - architects of the award-winning bus shelters in Manchester Road, Bradford - were picked as winners of a Design on Democracy competition to make local authority buildings more accessible.

Ideas for national pilot scheme at City Hall include replacing the Council chambers with a massive winter gardens complex open to the public.

A new chamber of Yorkshire stone and glass could also be built in Centenary Square.

But Coun Wightman said: "There are parts of this building which are not very special and could be changed. But I don't think there will be any support for the removal of the Council chamber to Centenary Square.

"Not least, there wouldn't be the money. It would also need so many permissions before it could go ahead. But there is a need to improve the accountability, attractiveness and general appearance of the public parts of City Hall so more people could enjoy them in an appropriate way.

''The display of the silver collection would be a very big signal that City Hall is more open to the public gaze."

Speaking about events during his term, the Lord Mayor said: "When Bradford lost the bid to become European City of Culture in 2008 we felt sad and a bit cheated for a week or so.

"Then I began to think of the many things which had been identified as needed in Bradford during the bid process and which are going to happen.

"I think the bid enabled people to be confident in Bradford's future. It served its purpose and there is now a better understanding about what our priorities are as we work towards the 2020 Vision which we have all signed up to."

Coun Wightman praised his colleagues for their manners in Council meetings and standards of debate.

He said the Bulls Challenge Cup victory had been a "tremendous day" and the concerts by Gareth Gates in Centenary Square and Myrtle Park, Bingley were among highlights of a busy year.

"Young people and their parents, families and friends came along and enjoyed themselves in a relaxed way without causing any trouble to the organisers or police and were a real credit,'' he said.

"The dials of Bradford are pointing up. Flagship projects are beginning to come on stream and we will see a big difference in a year or so and there are going to be some big investments."

After tomorrow Coun Wightman will spend more time with the Chamber of Commerce and has applied to become a magistrate. He is president of Bradford Club this year and also hopes to do more voluntary work.