J Sheperd from Denton, Manchester, writes (Letters, November 4) that I have not had the courtesy to reply to his or her letter of October 19.

Unfortunately, I have honestly never recieved this letter and would ask for it to be resent, via Hove Town Hall, Church Road, Hove.

I would add that although I never received this letter, with a complicated case such as this, it can often take longer than two weeks to resolve.

Rather than pursue this through the Letters page, I have tried to contact J Sheperd directly but without any luck. This is the only way I have of contacting him or her.

Cllr Paul Elgood

-Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Brighton and Hove City Council