SIR – THE Council could have rejected the initial candidates for the chief executive position to infer a fastidious requirement and subsequent necessity to pay a high salary.

From the start , they engaged Gatenby Sanderson of Leeds, recruiters specialising in public appointments to come up with a candidate acceptable to both our Council and the Joint Negotiating Council on which is represented the virtual trade union of the country’s 407 chief executives.

The salary will have to comply with their imposed comparative basis, will be no less than that extracted from us for Reeves and favour Gatenby, for their fee will be proportional.

Is this really what Bradford wants?

Public opinion would be moved by a local person, an idealist with strong commercial background and private income allowing a token payment.

When Bradford was great it was resultant from those who freely channelled their attributes into civic responsibility. Failing a suitable individual, running Bradford could be a training function of the Business School.

Through its wealth of talent, unbiased avenues of expertise and original thought, Bradford could be directed towards unique social and commercial prosperity.

John Pashley, Westcliffe Avenue, Baildon