I do not know Roger Marlowe (Letters, September 10) or his extraordinarily named Brighton and Hove Food and Drink Lovers Festival but it is obvious why he writes the way he does.

David Panter is the council's chief executive, not the City's ambassador.

We have a mayor so the CEO's job is not to be involved in working lunches and dinners throughout the week. It is to control the administration and working of this City, which he patently is not doing.

The restaurants and hotels of Brighton and Hove do not need his help to boost their business. It is there for all to see.

I can assure Mr Marlowe that Mr Panter is getting more than enough of all that is going.

Brighton and Hove does not need selling. What is needed is Mr Panter's control and efficiency over the administration of the City, to equate with the enormous increase in council tax which has already taken place, plus the 18 per cent promised next year.

We all hope he will succeed in the task for which he is being so adequately remunerated.

-David Fincham, Hove