I had to laugh when I read that the Lanes Business Network is bemoaning the fact Brighton and Hove City Council isn't giving it any "focus or direction" over the issue of Christmas lights (The Argus, August 23).

I am no apologist for the council but I would have thought it was the job of the network to provide the direction and I reckon the council's offer of £24,000 was a reasonably good focus to start with.

The Lanes Business Network is probably like a lot of organisations in this city - just a fancy name which doesn't actually do anything. I find it extraordinary that people who make business decisions every day are so clueless when it comes to such a simple exercise.

Surely if they want Christmas lights, all they have to do is put their hands in their pockets and raise £24,000 and then they have £48,000 to spend with the council's donation.

Then they can talk to companies which put up Christmas lights and get the job done. Why do they need the council to hold their hand?

-Michael Masterson, Brighton