Shipley MP Chris Leslie is to quit as chairman of Bingley Town Centre Partnership after it snubbed his efforts to increase its openness.

Bingley residents had voted overwhelmingly in favour of controlled public and press admittance at a public meeting called by him.

But a partnership meeting saw members reject the proposed change, voting 6-3 in favour of the status quo.

Mr Leslie, who has chaired the Partnership for three years, has announced he will now be standing down in November.

He said: "Following the very productive and successful open public forum, I presented the conclusions to the board meeting of the Partnership.

"Sadly, the board decided to reject the view of the public meeting, despite my best efforts to persuade them of the need to keep in touch with the wishes of local people. Instead of opting for open meetings to observe items that are not of a commercially or legally sensitive nature, the BTCP have decided to stick with the status quo, issue a written press statement at the end of meetings and hold an open meeting annually.

"I am very disappointed. The BTCP is due to elect a new chairman in November and I shall not seek to continue in that role.''

Bingley resident Mike Crook, 54, who attended the public meeting, said: "I think it is diabolical that these people meet in secret and just totally ignore the views of the general public and traders of Bingley. It is high time they were brought to task.

"Let's face it, what have they ever done for Bingley? As a council tax payer living in Bingley, there is nothing I can see happening in Bingley that leads me to believe they are anything but a social club.

"I think the Bingley people have been treated with contempt.''

David Senior, prospective Parliamentary Conservative candidate for Shipley, said: "The people of Bingley require an open, democratic forum to express local opinion. Since the BTCP evidently does not wish to fulfil this role, we must now press ahead with the formation of an elected town council."

Former Better Bingley Campaign chairman Philip Smith added: "People keep losing sight that Bingley is about Bingley people.

"While I can understand they might not want a completely open door to the public, a broader attitude has to be taken from a broader cross-section of people.''