Catherine Stewart Tauranga City Councillor

I see the latest amalgamation debate/dinner has been cancelled. If there is to be meaningful debates on this topic, then a panel of men and women speakers and a balance of ‘for' and ‘against' amalgamation speakers will provide a better starting point for discussions.

Public meetings where anyone can attend, without having to pay, and the opportunity to ask questions or state points of view is – in my opinion – a better way of getting the debate into the wider community.

Long Term Plan hearings

Elected members are listening to the submitters on the Long Term Plan this week.

Some topics to date have included the Tropical Plant House, a request for a slide on Mauao from a six-year-old and a submission emphasising the need to take into account the ageing population and their needs as council plans its community facilities.

Elected members will soon learn preliminary costs and options regarding the council building in Willow St. Whatever the options, they will have a large financial impact on our Long Term Plan.

Deliberations for the Long Term Plan take place during the first week of June.