Whakatane District Council will retain its current ward arrangements and number of elected members for the next two elections.

The existing arrangements for the Rangitaiki, Taneatua and Murupara Community Boards will also continue, but council has decided to proceed with the amalgamation of the current Whakatane and Ohope Beach Community Boards.

Photo: File.

At yesterday's extraordinary council meeting, 36 submissions on the review were heard – 28 of which opposed the proposed amalgamation of the community boards, while seven supported the proposal or were neutral.

After considering the various submission points, the majority of councillors felt the concerns raised by submitters had not been substantiated.

Councillors also noted there had been repeated problems in gaining sufficient nominations for Community Board positions generally, and a combined Whakatane-Ohope board would reduce the likelihood of by-elections being required to fill the six available positions.

The Representation Review outcomes can be appealed by any submitter, and the appeal period opens on October 9, before closing on November 10.

Any appeals received will be referred to the Electoral Commission, which will make a final determination on the district's electoral arrangements in early 2016.