Your news about the sale of council buildings needs clarifying. Brighton and Hove City Council cannot legally - nor does it wish to - use the money from the sale of buildings to plug a hole in its spending budget.

Only the money the council saves from no longer using the Royal York Building - heat, light, maintenance and security - will help the council trim its spending budget.

The proceeds of a sale of Royal York Building would be used to ensure the council made better use of existing offices.

The remainder would be used to repay long-term debt. It is good asset management practice for the council to undertake a review of its office accommodation to ensure it is making the best use of its buildings.

It is also financially sensible to release expensively leased property and to sell off surplus property that we own if it is no longer appropriate for office accommodation.

-Jackie Lythell, deputy leader, Brighton and Hove City Council