The shape of Bradford's future will be thrashed out at a debate hosted by newsreader and broadcaster Sir Trevor McDonald on Thursday.

Some 300 delegates, drawn from a wide cross section of the community, will question a panel of prominent people in Bradford on how to make the district a better place in which to live, work, learn and play from now until 2020 and beyond.

Sir Trevor has agreed to co-ordinate the debate which is part of the 20/20 Vision for Bradford campaign, launched by Bradford Council Leader Ian Greenwood and Chief Executive Ian Stewart.

Sir Trevor said: "I look forward to being part of Bradford's 20/20 Vision event, as the district prepares to take its place at the forefront of the leading cities within Great Britain, Europe and indeed the world."

The event in the Bronte Suite, at the Stakis Hotel in Bradford from 9am to 4pm follows weeks of consultation among a wide cross section of the local community including pupils, older and young people businesses and voluntary, religious, cultural and community groups.

Councillor Greenwood said: "We are nearing end of the biggest consultation we have ever carried out and we now have to make sure that all public and private sector partners in our district work closely together so that we can reach our shared goals.

"We have made it plain that this initiative is not just a talking shop. We need effective and concerted acting to make the comprehensive improvements to the quality of life for all the residents of the district and this debate will help us to find out how people think we might achieve this."

Mr Stewart said: "I am delighted that somebody of Trevor McDonald's national importance has agreed to co-ordinate what we hope will be a lively and informative debate on Bradford's future. The Council and its private and public sector partners are totally committed to this vision for the district.

"We have been urging everyone in the district to tell us how they would like us to prepare to meet the challenges of the next century and this meeting is a huge step towards improving our image and the quality of life for everyone in this district."

Panellists will include: Mohammed Amran, of the Race Equality Council and Commission for Racial Equality; Adeeba Malik, of QED and Yorkshire Forward - the Regional Development Agency; Tim Parr, an accountant and member of Keighley Business Forum; John Pennington, businessman and owner of Pennington's Club; Gareth Logan, community activist and a member of Newlands Single Regeneration Budget Partnership Board, Omar Shajehan, managing director of Shahjehan Restaurant and Bradford Council leader Councillor Ian Greenwood.

Following Thursday's debate, a draft 20/20 Vision, City of Bradford is launched around the Millennium.

l Anyone who would like to contribute ideas to the 20/20 Vision campaign can contact the Council via the voice mail number (0800) 0734552; email vision@bradford.gov.uk; or freepost address: 2020 Vision, City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council, Freepost, NEA8326, City Hall, Bradford, BD1 1BR.

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