Any move by EB4U to take over ownership and control of council housing in East Brighton must be resisted.

It would be wrong to split up the stock throughout the city with different landlords.

Such fragmentation weakens the whole sector.

This proposal does not come from the tenants' associations who have opposed any transfer.

It is true the Government is applying pressure and withholding money needed to improve houses to reach the Decent Home Standard for authorities where tenants have voted to stay with the council.

However, I believe other forms of investment in housing can be found. Large sums have come in from Right to Buy and these should have gone into local houses rather than into the Government's coffers.

Any stock transfer is privatisation under another name and removes housing from democratic control It is a dangerous step and once taken cannot be reversed.

Fortunately, tenants will decide by referendum the future of their homes.

I am confident they will say "Hands off council housing".

Councillor Francis Tonks

-Wykeham Terrace, Brighton