We all have our priorities and never is this better illustrated than in today's stories from the Oxford areas of Cutteslowe and Headington.

Cutteslowe needs £90,000 over the next three years to pay for part-time community workers. Ten years ago crime and vandalism plagued the estate. But tireless work on the part of the community association has reduced this to a minimum.

A five-year financial deal with the Lankelly Foundation runs out next year and so far Cutteslowe has been unable to find another to replace it. Charities and independent organisations have turned it down mainly because the city and county councils have refused to put their hands in their pockets to help.

Meanwhile just along the Northern bypass, business and community leaders in Headington are looking for a central arts centre or a meeting hall. They claim there is no focal point for the area which, in the words of one of its councillors, David Rundle, boasts a strong sense of community.

The loss of the supporters' club at the old Manor Ground removed one building but it was hardly a place of beauty, as Headington would seem to prefer. Bury Knowle House is more in keeping with its aspirations. But there are many pitfalls along that route.

Headington feels it could be justified in taking some of the cash from developers' deals, but we cannot see our councillors handing over any of these windfalls. It is safe to say this money has been earmarked for other projects.

On the face of it, immediate solutions at Cutteslowe and Headington appear unlikely. But if councils do find some extra cash and one must be given priority over the other, can we urge that Cutteslowe gets the nod? It would be a tragedy if it was to return to the bad old days. It seems a high price to pay for the lack of £30,000 a year.