The failure of Riverside Inverclyde to deliver successful regeneration as highlighted by Gerry Braiden is sadly not entirely surprising ("Jobs cost £320,000 each in bid to revive Inverclyde", The Herald, July 15).

But what may surprise many members of the public is the charitable status held by this organisation.

Riverside Inverclyde is one of an increasing number of arms-length external organisations (ALEOs) which enjoy and fully exploit the benefits of charitable status but remain under control of the local authority. These organisations represent a threat to the reputation of charities as stories like this and many others, such as the Glasgow East Regeneration Agency, reflect badly on genuine third sector organisations.

Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations does not consider ALEOs such as Riverside Inverclyde to be genuinely charitable in their aims as they do not hold the independence from Government that members of the public expect them to. Charities in Scotland have an excellent reputation with the public which is reinforced by a strong charity brand.

What is galling about this mess is that millions of pounds are wasted on this pseudo-charity when genuine charities such as Inverclyde Community Development Trust deliver the type of community-led regeneration now accepted as the key to success. Imagine what they could have achieved with the money squandered on the Riverside project.

Felix Spittal,

Policy Officer, Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations, Mansfield Traquair Centre, 15 Mansfield Place,

Edinburgh.