DOING more with less has become a mantra for our times, and plans to sell public buildings show that Hammersmith and Fulham Council is taking that idea seriously.

There can be little doubt that some of the sites are underused.

But there are controversial items on the list - Palingswick House chief among them - and the authority runs the risk of doing more harm than good by rushing to rid itself of such historical properties.

Voluntary groups based there argue that there are marked benefits to having a community hub in the centre of Hammersmith within easy reach from all parts of the borough, which has a strong track record in the field of social welfare.

Similar concern will centre on the fate of Fulham Town Hall, although as a listed building it cannot be demolished.

Palingswick House enjoys no such protection.

More important than the buildings themselves are those who provide services from within them. Many groups will have funding dropped or significantly reduced.

Let us hope that, by putting these plans into action, the council truly achieves more for less, and does not simply end up with less of everything.