The reformed Bradford Congress has run into controversy at its launch.

A row has erupted in the new Bradford Vision about who should chair Bradford's biggest umbrella organisation

Under the old rules the Council leader would have automatically taken the chair as biggest partner.

But a move by leader Margaret Eaton to introduce an independent chairman is being opposed by the head of the Labour group, Councillor Ian Greenwood, who says it should not be one of the "great and good" from outside.

Coun Greenwood -- chairman of Congress until he lost the Council leadership in May -- believes it should remain with the Council.

Coun Eaton said she believed the board should draw from the expertise and pick the person most suitable for the job.

She said: "It is typical of Councillor Greenwood to want the organisation to be led by the local authority.

"A partner is an equal partner. It should be the person with the best skills."

But Coun Greenwood, who is still a member, said the job should go to a substantial partner -- and he believed that should be the Council.

"I don't believe it should be one of the great and good. It should be someone representing one of the major agencies with the knowledge about what is happening."

Leader of the Liberal Democrat group councillor Jeanette Sunderland, who is also a member of Bradford Vision, said: "It is a very important job and should go to the person with the right skills."

Congress was renamed as Bradford Vision, and decided to open its doors to the press and public this week.

The new Bradford Vision is advertising for a £60,000 a year chief executive and is expected to drive forward the district's 2020 vision -- a blueprint to make Bradford a better place in the 21st century.