I am concerned that in quoting me, your article (November 30) on Blackbird Leys left out what I said about all the things which are getting better on the estate.

I pointed to our excellent and caring primary schools and the Oxford Academy.

Everyone agrees that stopping the circle of deprivation starts with education, and we are committed to doing just that.

The Wate Report spoke to very few people and most were in one defined area.

By contrast, the Blackbird Leys Neighbourhood Action Group will speak to 900 people on Blackbird Leys in the next few weeks, asking what their concerns are.

The follow up from this sort of consultation is plain to see: crime is down and the 48 drug raids show the commitment of our local police to hearing what people say.

There are so many local groups and church groups on our estate operating from the Clock House, the Blackbird Leys Leisure Centre and the Community Centre.

In addition there is huge voluntary input into youth football and other sport, and the work of after school groups. In these respects we are blessed.

There is more to do; there always is. But it is wrong to give such prominence to one negative report when there is so much happening which is positive.

We have an estate wide regeneration effort coming up and it’s important that there is wide involvement of local residents, who are better placed than partial outside “expert” studies to decide what Blackbird Leys and Greater Leys need for the future.

Val Smith, Oxford city councillor Blackbird Leys, County Councillor Leys and Lye, Flaxfield Road, Blackbird Leys, Oxford