I have been resident in the area for two years and usually skim-read my copy of the Runner when it comes in. I find the articles on the area's history interesting, but find the NIMBY, conservative views on any sort of planning issue a tad annoying.

I also think that whilst I partially agree with the complaints about things like late night noise, we have to remember we live in the centre of the City and the NLCA should be more supportive of the local, largely independent businesses that are trying to keep their heads above water in such difficult economic times. Why not negotiate a resident's discount card to encourage us all to BE LOCAL, BUY LOCAL for instance?

I have attended one of the meetings, but didn't feel particularly welcome and found the group to be mainly elderly and not representative of the area's residents, many of whom are now students and younger tenants.

A discount card is a good idea, the cost and administration of it is another matter.

I was naturally very sorry to read of the problems the NLCA has been encountering. There probably is no perfect solution to this problem, and I am sure other associations are experiencing similar crises, for much the reasons given in your article - ie most communities consisting of greater mobility and separatist activities.

However, having lived in Tichborne Street during the 1960s (when most of what we now know as North Laine was awaiting demolition) and for the last twenty years in my house in Tidy Street, I am of course very much aware of the difference the NLCA has made to our part of Brighton. Further, having been Chair myself, I am acutely aware of the great efforts that have been made to achieve the immensely fundamental changes that have been made to North Laine through the greatly influential activities of the NLCA.

However, it does seem that the activities are not impacting sufficiently on a substantial sector of North Laine residents. Consequently it may be necessary to take a comprehensive view of the existing shape and form of the NLCA.

I have started this response by making sure that I have listed the assets and values of the NLCA, because of course eventually some hard and probably unpopular comments and decisions will have to be made (from many different perspectives), and at this stage personally I want to be careful to say that I do not wish to cause any offence.

But my perception of the NLCA is that, primarily, it is not a community association, it is a conservation pressure group. Of course over the years there have been countless different interest groups and celebratory occasions that have been organised through the NLCA. But the central character of the organisation is, as it was at its inception, an instrument for planning action within the North Laine.

When the NLCA began in the mid-1970s, there was a great deal to fight for and a huge amount of enthusiasm and individual activity was generated by the idea that residents could stop the proposal for wholesale demolition of the area and the introduction of a flyover motorway.

The 1970s was a great period of community action, when the idea of grassroots change was fresh and new and intoxicating. But in the decades that have passed since then, the idea of community and voluntary involvement has been severely challenged, mostly by the economic changes that have taken place, firstly encouraging a greater expectation of what we now describe as 'quality of life', but perhaps more significantly the enormous financial struggle needed to achieve and maintain this standard.

Consequently the notion of 'doing something for nothing' has been profoundly consigned to a position much below that of achieving our own economic stability. From the present situation it may not be possible or considered appropriate by the NLCA core group that the organisation could be opened out to become, perhaps, more of a community association and a little less of a conservation group. But this may be the only way forward for ultimate survival of the organisation in any form.

There simply are not enough people who are interested, or can even see the point of scrutinising planning applications. And despite the consistent excellence of the Runner over many years, there are many people locally who do not understand what the organisation is all about.

The downside to the NLCA is that, despite its many years in existence, it does not have its own community centre and it does not have a rolling programme of events.

Putting that aside, I feel there are probably elderly people or people in poor health who are discouraged at the idea of going out at night; and it it may be worth trying some daytime meetings, just introducing the Association to new people and perhaps listening to what they have to say in terms of new activities. A Friendship Group could be helpful, as could a Reminiscence Group.

Even if none of that happens, I would suggest, regarding the NLCA meetings as they currently exist, that they could present a more welcoming and empathetic aspect to new members. I can think of at least two previous members in my time who withdrew simply on the grounds of the ferocious attacks made on them when they made unpopular suggestions.

I would like to concur with the comments of Sarah Wright. I have lived in the North Laine since 1976 and my late partner Jack Tinker and I often would attend meetings. In later years the association has increasingly focussed on conservation and although I applaud its actions in monitoring planning applications it needs to have a much wider remit. I'm afraid it does have a NIMBY attitude. Just recently I met a 78 year old woman who had just moved into the area and went to a meeting. One of the items discussed was if the association should oppose affordable housing in the area as it caused house prices to be devalued. Unfortunately this woman lived in affordable housing and vowed never to return. I am currently involved with a number of other community associations in the centre of the city who have much wider interests and concerns. We have been involved in the proposed restoration and repairs to the Level with a possible Heritage Lottery Fund bid and the controversy surrounding the location of the skate park. I have been the only person from the North Laine to attend these meetings, yet the Level adjoins our Association's border. The Level is an iconic open space at the very heart of our city and communities are also proposing numerous acivities and events for around the year that will bring the area alive and serve a wider public. This is precisely the kind of thing that community associations should be involved in. I urge the Association to extend its current remit, otherwise it will simply fade away.

Adrian, thank you for your contribution to the debate within the NLCA about its future. The officers of the NLCA have taken on board all that has been said and have recently met and have agreed on a number of changes to the way meetings run. Planning issues will now take no more than about ten minutes (this has been the case for the last few meetings). There is now a tea break to allow for more contact between residents at meetings and there will be a greater focus on speakers that are of interest to residents. We have introduced Standing Orders to make clear what our values and goals are, and we now have an eco officer to bring our attention to relevant environmental issues.

To try to bring greater community cohesion, we are organising a summer fete for the whole area for early June. We hope this will bring people together and help to emphasise the special spirit that is so much part of the North Laine. However, the success of this venture will depend on whether we can persuade people to volunteer their services on the day.

Despite the view that the NLCA is preoccupied with planning, this year we have launched an excellent leaflet, "Discover North Laine on foot", which is highly regarded by visitors and residents alike. We continue to help residents when they need the support of the officers of the Association, as we are in fact doing now regarding the impact of squatters on the lives of local residents. We have represented a number of residents over the past year who have had the quality of their lives threatened by licensing applications.

On the social front we have our annual Christmas Party coming up at the Komedia (this is for all residents) and the NLCA has given support to the various street parties that have taken place over the last few years. We have a representative that attends the London Road Local Action Team, which discusses matters affecting the Level, and our planning officers attend most planning consultations.

However the number of residents who are active in the Association is small and they are volunteers. If someone has a particular interest that they feel the community needs to hear about, we would invite them to attend the NLCA meetings to let us know. We are all part of the community and we shouldn't necessarily always rely on the officers and coordinators.

I am sorry about the 78 year old lady who attended just the one meeting. We have never formally discussed the question of affordable housing and the NLCA certainly doesn't have a policy on the subject. I cannot recall such a topic ever being discussed, but if a resident made such a comment, then it was their own personal opinion - it certainly isn't NLCA policy.

Peter, this all sounds very exciting. The plans seem to be encouragingly inclusive and as a result I feel sure active interest will increase in the Association. The Kensington Place party was great fun this year and the proposed summer fete will certainly help to bring the whole community together. I most certainly will be at the Christmas event at the Komedia - I love a good party. See you next month!