Stuart Bower may be out of touch with the facts when it comes to the future of Brighton and Hove's council housing stock (Letters, August 1).

What is proposed is not a "sell-off" or privatisation. I would not have voted for that. What is proposed is a transfer to a newly created, independent housing association run along mutual (co-operative) lines, with tenants making up the largest group on the board, and with their tenancy and rent levels protected.

The Community Gateway will ensure tenants participate in the decisions which affect them and their homes. It will continue to offer low-paid key workers decent, affordable accommodation.

I have respect for colleagues who argue that the "fourth option" of getting more taxpayers' money from the Government to fund improvements to homes is one which should be pursued.

However, I don't think it is realistic to expect the public purse to fund the billions of pounds of improvements needed just to bring every council home in the country up to the Decent Homes Standard.

Crucially, a new association will be able to do more, funding improvements not just to homes but to estate lighting, pathways, communal areas and facilities which on the estates such as Whitehawk, Manor Farm, Craven Vale and the Bristol Estate, which I represent, are much needed.

I am not willing to risk residents missing out on these improvements while we hold out for what is almost certainly an unattainable goal.

-Councillor Warren Morgan, Labour and Co-operative Councillor, East Brighton ward