Independent views By Brendan Horan

The new broom sweeps clean, but let us not sweep away prior promises. This is a gentle reminder to our new Tauranga City Council that commitments have been made.

I'm referring specifically to Mount Maunganui residents in Commons Ave, Matai St and Grace Ave, who are terrified their homes will again be flooded with raw sewage during heavy rains.

Tauranga City councillor Steve Morris reports there is no money in the bank and that they cannot find the funds rated by the previous council to rectify the problem. Councillor Morris is aware there is a plan in place and rates increased by two per cent last year to manage this and complete essential work. This is not a tough decision councillors; it is a promise for you to keep.

It is normal practise for local government and central government representatives to work together for the benefit of their communities of interest. Most politicians in Wellington report to have regular meetings and conversations with their local body representatives. I proposed to the last council that we seek to manage central and local representative's meeting times, but the opportunity was never adopted. I extended the same offer to this new council in the expectation we will meet and work together on issues significant to our community.

Equally, I invite all of the new councillors to my offices at the Mount – and I'd welcome them, like I do everyone, who cares about their community to meet with me and discuss how I can help make our wonderful city a safe and beautiful place for our children, our family and our communities.