A COMMUNITY meeting aimed at promoting the work of Horbury Town Centre Partnership descended into chaos as
critics labelled it undemocratic.
Two people walked out of the annual general meeting, held on Monday night in Horbury Library, in protest.
But chairman Bill Ingham defended the partnership highlighting the work
it had done to regenerate the town and boost trade.
Arguments broke o
ut after people questioned how the committee is formed
and how decisions over spending were made.
Resident Ted Fawcett, 68, said: "Since 1995 when the partnership started I have never been asked to vote in an election.
"It seems totally against democratic principles when people are invited to come on to a committee which is spending public money."
Members of the committee defended the partnership saying it was originally aimed at business people.
Committee member Ian Mosedale said: "The Town Centre Partnership was
set up to regenerate the commercial heart of the town and to bring people into the town to support the businesses.
"We seem to have deferred away from that a little bit."
Councillors Alyson Ripley and Graham Jesty questioned why they were not allowed to join the committee or have a vote.
Ray Tindale, of North?eld Lane, said: "I feel that if you do open the meetings a little bit during the course of the year there could be some good ideas or proposals.
"If you don't have it open then you might be missing a trick."
Closing the meeting chairman Bill Ingham said: "It's been a heated evening and we haven't even got through the agenda yet. I think we're going to have to close the meeting because we're not getting anywhere."
