I find it hard to believe that Brighton and Hove City Council is giving £26,000 to this year's Pride festival (The Argus, April 20).

I work in the education side of the council and think the money would be better spent in this area.

I have nothing against Pride and gays are very nice people but let's face the facts: Education, homelessness and the elderly must be a priority when the city is giving away money.

Sussex has some very old schools which are in need of renovating, especially the one where I work.

It requires new windows, toilets and a new canteen.

How many times do I have to report that damp is affecting the walls in classrooms so badly that the paint is falling off? How many times do I have to report that another piece of window has come off in my hand?

How many times do I have to report that the putty holding in the windows is so rotten that there is a risk of the glass falling on to children?

By what right is Brighton and Hove City Council allowed to donate taxpayers' money to private organisations like Pride?

In its leaflet "council tax and performance summaries", the opening paragraph states "council tax is the tax you pay to help finance local services - like education, parks and household refuse collection".

Council tax should not be used to subsidise private organisations and their festivals and, in view of the appalling state of the city's finances and administration, I think it is disgraceful that this donation was even considered.

How many other private organisations are being subsidised by this profligate council?

-David Fincham, Hove