Tauranga City Council's response to Jo's complaint (Sun 25/6) about rate increases merely mirrors their general attitude to ratepayers of Get S------. They feel they are free to do as they wish and ratepayers should not complain. Suggesting she go to WINZ or CAB for Budget advice (which they do not give in any case) is gross arrogance but is the general standard wherever you go in Council.
Civil servants were once noted for inefficiency and buck passing but they have long been overtaken by local government. It can be traced back to when Councils lost control over staffing which is now the preserve of the CEO with no accountability to ratepayers or Council. Steve Brown, Otumoetai.