A recent report advised that the campaigners for a single council, covering the Western Bay of Plenty, want to bypass the Local Government Commission and introduce a merger of Tauranga and the WBOP District councils sooner rather than later.

Interestingly enough the campaigners for a merged council have apparently set out how the merger could happen, without the involvement of the LGC, but sadly have not informed the people who will be affected, the residents and ratepayers of both councils.
One wonders what the agenda is of some people. Surely it would be far better if they fully involved the residents and ratepayers? They can be informed as to what to expect should such a merger occur, rather than seemingly trying to force this through without any local input.

Be very afraid and fight to retain what we have rather than roll over and accept what a few self interested people seemingly want to force upon us.

Mike Baker, Bethlehem.