THERE is little doubt that both the users and the citizens of Southampton will be outraged at even the suggestion that some of the Sports Centre will be sold for whatever purpose by the Charity appointed to manage it on behalf of the City Council.

In spite of all the economic changes that have swept through local government in recent years, perhaps the time has come for some of the original services should once again be managed by the duly elected council representatives.

Local people still look with affection on what is believed to be the Council services.

What we now see is conglomerates operating at every level, with Council powers reduced to the mere level of a debating society.

How proud Southampton was with its lovely buses with the Coat of Arms blazoned in the cream and maroon livery.

And who actually runs the Civic Centre? Is it Capita, Active Nation, O2 or whatever.

With some careful planning we now have the opportunity to transform the Sports Centre to include a new, and much needed, Ice Skating Rink with, perhaps, a Speedway Stadium in order to revive our enthusiasm for those two areas of our local life.

Now is the time for Sotonians to become politically aware and transform this great city.

Dr Richard Palmer Southampton.