Dorothy Warburton's concern about the lack of funding from central government for sheltered housing is justified (The Argus, June 2). Year on year the "supporting people" money has been dramatically cut meaning that Brighton and Hove City Council has less money to run the sheltered schemes in the city.

One of the ways in which central government encourages councils to manage their dwindling resources is to dilute the role of the sheltered scheme manager so they look after a number of schemes in a form of floating support. The scheme manager's role is vital to ensure residents who are more vulnerable than most have access to on-site advice and help and are checked constantly to make sure they are receiving the help they need from outside services.

The Conservative-led Brighton and Hove City Council is currently consulting with sheltered tenants to see how they can best use the little money it has and Councillor Maria Caulfield, the cabinet member for housing, reassures me that the priorities for spending will be guided by the priorities of the tenants.

A sheltered housing scheme is not just a person's home, it is also their community and the scheme manger forms a vital part of that.

  • Simon Kirby, Conservative parliamentary candidate for Brighton Kemptown