Keighley Town Council has had its bid to run Keighley market rejected, but was told it could run the toilets there instead.

Bradford Council’s chief executive Tony Reeves made the suggestion in a letter responding to the town council’s request to take over public services in the town, including car parks, the market and tourism promotion.

In his response, Mr Reeves said the last time the idea of Keighley Town Council taking over the market had been considered, the possibility was rejected by the market traders.

However, he suggested the district council may be willing to consider handing over responsibility for the market toilets.

The letter was revealed at a meeting of the town council.

Coun Peter Corkindale said: “I found it a very patronising letter. The [Keighley] market makes £400,000 per annum profit, but he says you can’t have that, you can have the toilets. He only wants to give up what costs Bradford Council money.”

But Coun Ron Beale expressed support for Mr Reeves’s stance.

“When I saw the list that this council had put to Bradford I laughed, and I bet Tony Reeves laughed even louder,” he said.

“I’m pleased that Bradford has had the common sense to refuse us, because we are not ready. Part of Bradford Council’s duty of care is not to hand over responsibilities to a town council which is financially irresponsible.”

The town council agreed the letter should be forwarded to Eric Pickles, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.

Commenting on Mr Reeves’s response, Coun Graham Mitchell said it conflicted with comments made by district councillor Keith Dredge, who said he wanted to work with the town council and was not interested in being part of any rivalry between Keighley and Bradford.

“I find this letter very, very unfortunate and depressing,” he said. “I applaud the feelings of Councillor Dredge, but the chief executive doesn’t agree with him.

“This is the unfortunate fact that we have to face. We have the goodwill of elected members, we don’t, apparently, have the goodwill of the chief officer.”

A copy of Mr Reeves’s letter was supplied to the Keighley News. Mr Reeves writes: “I cannot see that the direct devolution from the council to town and parish councils to be a sensible way forward.

"I would however be happy to see town and parish councils working closely within the area committee system to support them in the delivery of any services devolved down to an area committee level.

"In such circumstances area committees may well choose to devolve responsibility further to town and parish councils, community groups and other social organisations where they can add value and it is appropriate to do so."

He said the district council would not want to consider handing over control of its car parks, and noted that Keighley's tourist attractions are already effectively marketed at Haworth Visitor Information Centre and on the visitbrontecountry.com website.

He said the last time the idea of Keighley Town Council taking over the market had been considered, the possibility was rejected by the market traders.

However, he did suggest that the district council may be willing to consider handing over responsibility for the market toilets.

In response to last Thursday's town council meeting, a Bradford Council spokesman said: "It is unfortunate the letter appears to have been misinterpreted and to have caused concern."