B Bayliss has the wrong end of the stick about council policy on promoting sport and recreation (Letters, January 10).

The reason Brighton and Hove City Council has had to take some resources away from bowling greens is because fewer people are playing the game.

To maintain spending would mean we had less to invest on more popular sports.

Bowls is a beautiful, quintessentially British game of huge value to all ages, which I would love to see thrive. But until more people are playing, it is hard to justify the spending when councils are so cash-strapped.

The council is interested in promoting sport; its policy to encourage participation is in our sports strategy on the council website. Evidence of this comes in the form of a planned £2.75 million revamp of Withdean sports facilities.

We are also planning to introduce a discount card giving low-income families a 40% price reduction at leisure centres.

It is also incorrect to say taxpayers’ money is being spent on the i360 viewing tower. The council has been given permission to borrow money to help get this private scheme off the ground. The loan will all have to be repaid by the developers – with interest – benefiting the taxpayer.

Regarding Penny Morley's concerns about pensioner facing increased costs at leisure centres and swimming pools (Letters, January 15), over-60s are entitled to a 40% discount on swimming. Less well-off pensioner claiming pension credit are eligible for a concession card giving them 40% off on activities such as badminton, squash and table tennis.

Councillor Geoffrey Bowden, Brighton and Hove City Council