Re: ‘Council with one vision and plan' (The Weekend Sun, May 23).

To say the reasons Tauranga and Western Bay of Plenty councils should amalgamate are overwhelming is a fool hardy comment to make. A super council does not guarantee debt-free, better communication and decision making. In fact you only have to look at parliament to know whoever is in charge still can not manage to tie their shoe laces; the bigger you are, more stuff ups and debt.

Tauranga got itself in this mess through bad management - so please keep it to yourselves, and learn from it. I'm not saying the Western Bay of Plenty District Council fares much better, as the same ridiculous system is in place there as well.

They meet once a year or so to teach each other how to collect more revenue so they can spend more. When the council want to increase your rates for say a stadium, when it's all paid for in the years to come do they give you a decrease?

Rates are listed as a levy - that's right a tax - yet you pay GST on your rates.
That's right, your taxed twice. And all this wants certain people to make a super council.

No way, make them smaller I say.

They should only be accountable for their immediate community and then you know the money collected stays with that community.

Perhaps that will teach each council the one thing the brain boxes cannot figure out - budgeting.

R Stewart, Te Puke.