I am grateful to Deryk Mead for his clear statement confirming the closure of the Palmeira Project.

This will, hopefully, end any misplaced hopes that the project might somehow continue. As his letter confirms, the decision to serve notice of closure was made by NCH and not Brighton and Hove Council.

I do welcome, however, NCH's agreement to my request that the period of notice be extended until the end of November.

That will enable the parents and the council to work together to plan the provision of the safe, quality service Mr Mead acknowledges they deserve. I reiterate the council's commitment to transfer all the resources currently spent at Palmeira to these new services and to appoint an independent advocate to oversee the process.

I also need to make the point that all invoices submitted by NCH to the council have been paid promptly and in full.

-Jean Spray, Executive councillor, Brighton and Hove Council