THE proposed reduction in opening hours at leisure facilities throughout the city amounts to another cut in services, at a time when the council should be encouraging exercise and providing warm buildings for use by residents (The Argus, September 29).

These reductions in opening hours, which affect council-funded facilities at leisure centres in central Brighton, Hove, Kemp Town, Moulsecoomb, Portslade, Withdean and Whitehawk, reduce the choice available to local people.

Rising energy costs are an issue but our leisure centres and libraries plus other community buildings need protecting from cuts because they are important community resources.

Some of those proposed cuts to opening hours severely affect weekend provision.

Small/medium sized businesses and council facilities need to be protected from the big increases in energy costs - it is wrong that this Tory government have failed to provide a proper "cap" on energy prices for both domestic and business customers.

And what of that expensive structure that eats up council funds and energy called the i360? This owes the council £10.89 million cumulatively already.

The council should do its best to work with Freedom Leisure to use the schemes that are available (however limited they are) to help with rising energy costs and try to avoid cuts to the opening hours of community leisure facilities.

Rob Heale

Chatham Place

Brighton