So, Tauranga Council with obscene haste almost before the inauguration ink was dry have rescinded their September 24, 2019, decision reneging on Council's 2006 and subsequent promises to transfer 11 Mission Street to The Elms Foundation and then unbelievably gifted it to Otamataha Trust, against all the weight of evidence, the concrete facts and public opinion.

Those people I have spoken to today are incensed about this decision and with some candidates' failure to fully disclose their race-based agendas during the elections.

The initial purchase price of $825,000 with interest and holding costs has currently ballooned out to about $1.5 million and councillors who voted for this aberration The Elms Foundation, who were complicit in the outcome and Otamataha Trust, can have a whip around to fund the $1.5 million public loss and repay it to the misled TCC Ratepayers.

Voting was seven for (Mayor Powell, Deputy Baldock, Clout, Morris, Abrie, Salisbury and Hughes) and three voting against (Robson, Hollis and Grainger) with Kiddie abstaining. The lack of transparency, honesty, accountability and proper consultation by Elected Members and Council staff as usual defies belief.

Henceforth no TCC ratepayer funding should be provided to The Elms.

S Paterson, Ohauiti.