As someone who has been a member of the Labour Party for more than 50 years, I was intrigued by Mr Grenville's assumption that I am 'New Labour'.

As I made clear to your reporter when she phoned me I did not set out to attack students in my comments. She actually contacted me to ask about the proposed student hostel in Llewellyn Road and the main thrust of my argument was about the relative merits of having a hostel as opposed to turning over ever more properties suitable for families to multi-occupied student houses.

As I understand it students at Warwick University are normally expected to spend one year living off-campus and as far as I can see a substantial number come to live in Leamington, especially in the Brunswick and Willes wards. This can work quite well if the number of student houses is in reasonable proportion to those for other Leamington residents.

I live in a road with a number of properties occupied by students and in general we have few problems. In a number of cases, however, the student houses outnumber those of other residents and many local people think that is excessive.

It would, however, be stretching the truth to suggest that students during their year off campus play a significant role in the local community. This is not unnatural since their focus is bound to remain with activities at the university.

Both your correspondents last week referred to the benefits to the local economy. I am not able to measure that except to say that the numbers of students using the shops in the streets where I live are not noticeably large. As far as the shops, bars clubs and other businesses go, I think this may indicate that Leamington is an attractive place to come for those living on campus. The spokesperson for the Student Union makes the point that Warwick University volunteers make a large contribution to different local projects. I acknowledge this warmly, but such activities do not depend on where the students are living.

Coun White suggests that our local students vote in our elections. In Brunswick ward we have always treated everyone on our register with the same attention. At election time we do know who votes here and I can assure him that the number includes very few students. There are several good reasons for this – for example in many cases last year's students are on this year's register and in many cases students are also registered at their home address and may well choose to vote there.
We did enjoy the time when three students stood in Brunswick for the Conservatives, but were a little puzzled as to what would have happened had they been elected and then moved out of the district three months later.

I have had a very good relationship with the university and the Student Union over many years and only a few weeks ago my wife and I were delighted to be present at the launch of the spectacular Warwick Students One World Week. I certainly would not wish that relationship to be damaged by any misunderstanding.

I hope it will be possible to take up Mike Pidgeon's invitation to visit them again. - Bill Evans (Leamington town councillor, Brunswick Ward), Claremont Road, Leamington.

Former students paying their way
I AM very concerned by the recent letters regarding the student population in south Leamington. Some residents are concerned about the changing face of the area, and an increasing number of buy-to-let 'student' properties does present challenges for the community, and for the local authority.

However, I think it is important to examine the issues and come up with solutions in an informed manner, and not one which seeks to stigmatise students. I came to south Leamington as a Warwick University student only seven years ago, got to know my neighbours and worked in the local pub to pay my tuition fees.

I now represent my adopted home as a district councillor. I also work for a friend and former Warwick student who decided to stay here and set up a small business. We are now established on the Sydenham industrial estate, providing a boost to the local economy, and several jobs for local people.

One of our employees, yet another Warwick student, spent her spare time volunteering at various community ventures in Old Town; another volunteers at local church activities.

None of us ever caused problems for our neighbours, and all of us have tried to contribute to the local economy and communities in which we have chosen to live. - Coun Mike Britland (Labour, Leamington Brunswick ward), Landor Road, Whitnash.