The sum of £120,000 for the King Alfred centre for the next year pending its refurbishment or replacement does not seem excessive considering the amount of money that has been saved in the "non-maintenance" of the buildings during the past 15 years, first by Hove Council and then by Brighton and Hove Council.

It is a drop in the ocean compared with the profits now being raked in by the new Hove parking scheme.

During its period of supreme neglect, Brighton has obtained the new Prince Regent swimming pool complex, a replacement for the old baths.

The Dome and Corn Exchange have been refurbished at a colossal cost and a new library is planned.

Hove has had nothing in the way of new amenities or replacement of existing ones.

Thus to begrudge this amount on a so-called gamble is disgraceful. It is essential to keep all existing facilities going.

Even the £16 million needed for the King Alfred centre's regeneration does not seem excessive and will certainly seem like peanuts in the years to come.

The problem stems from bad management by councils and they should be honour-bound to ensure a good scheme that is for the benefit of all residents and cater for their needs.

-Mrs E Young, Ladies Mile Road, Patcham