Sadly, Britain can boast only a handful of sportsmen and women who are true international champions, best in the world at their discipline.

We are really rather good at being second best or even worse, and then bleating on about the joys and the importance of simply taking part rather than winning. It is the attitude of second-raters.

But one particular sportsman who has chosen to live with us here in Brighton set out to be the very best, to beat the whole world.

He achieved it, not just once but over and over and over again. And of course I write of the gloriously inspired ice-skater Robin Cousins, world freeskating champion in 1978, 79 and 80, Olympic gold medallist in 1980, world record for the highest Axel jump and back flip in 1983 - and so much more.

While Robin may have given up competitive skating, he now, among other things, produces ice shows and has his heart set on opening an Olympic sized ice stadium here in the city.

He has a £30 million scheme for a combined rink and entertainment centre at Black Rock. Ominously, the site, like the rotting West Pier, has been derelict since the mid 1970s.

Even more ominously, in spite of the fact that people in Brighton have cried out for a new ice stadium ever since the old SS Brighton closed in the 60's, our heroic leaders on Brighton and Hove Council have displayed an overwhelming disinterest, a stifling ennui at the mere suggestion of such a project.

Even worse, they have thrown open the site to every Tom, Dick and Harry wanting to make a bid for it.

Several have, but outrageously, the council is flaunting its usual arrogance and refusing to tell us who they are or what they are proposing.

Apparently there may be an exhibition of the various schemes around Christmas time. It is simply not good enough.

Black Rock is council land - our land - and we are entitled to know what is going on.

We know about Robin Cousins' scheme because he has come forward and talked about it with huge enthusiasm.

Who are the others, why are they being so secretive and why are our elected representatives playing along with their mysterious games?

It is simply bolstering the council's well-earned reputation for being among the slowest in England for dealing with planning applications.

I am well aware the city's chief executive David Panter is diplomatic enough to say he is the servant of the councillors and is there to implement their policies.

The reality is he is a toughie, quite capable of getting them together and banging heads. So start banging, David.

Robin Cousins' presence in the city, his energy and his brilliant concept represent a golden opportunity. It is time for the council to do what it was elected to office to do.

Represent us effectively and grasp the opportunity. We have already waited far too long.