Embassy Court is a privately-owned building. Brighton and Hove City Council is supporting the residents as far as it can through its private-sector housing team.

But, as this is not a council building, our powers and resources are limited.

Why does Voice Of The Argus (May 21) believe public money should be spent to prop up a private business?

The Brighton and Hove Regeneration Partnership has contributed #50,000 through the Single Regeneration Budget (SRB) to part-fund a feasibility study into the refurbishment of the building.

This included a detailed survey which showed the structure of the building is sound.

The responsibility for refurbishment lies with the freeholder. From the survey the freeholder, Bluestorm Ltd, is now clear about the nature and severity of the problems affecting the building and the cost of undertaking the necessary work.

The Partnership concluded it could not use SRB funds to provide a public subsidy to a private development. I understand Bluestorm is now in the process of putting together a plan for the refurbishment.

The building is of architectural merit and I believe it should be preserved. However, that is the responsibility of the freeholders, not the council.

-Ken Bodflsh, leader, Brighton and Hove City Council