Defeated board believes amalgamation next

Matamata Community Board chairman Daryl Anderson believes the decision to phase out community boards at the next local body elections shows a lack of foresight and leadership by of the Matamata- Piako District Council.

Speaking to the Matamata Chronicle last week, Mr Anderson said he and his board members were extremely disappointed with the decision.

The Local Government Commission announced recently it was to support Matamata-Piako District Council’s decision to disestablish community boards in Matamata, Te Aroha and Morrinsville from after October’s local government elections.

In 2012 the council consulted with the community on whether community boards should stay.

After all 37 submissions were considered, the decision was made to disestablish community boards.

Following an appeal, the Local Government Commission held a hearing to make the decision.

‘‘ We found decision was Anderson said.

What this will mean is that Matamata residents will lose four more people focused solely on doing more things to benefit Matamata, he said.

Mr Anderson said he believed amalgamation was looming and the decision to phase out com- out before publicised,’’ the Mr munity boards reflected that.

Over the years, the Matamata Community Board had completed a lot of projects and had worked well with the council.

In the October local government elections, Matamata- Piako residents will only elect ward councillors (11 in total: Matamata 4, Morrinsville 4 and Te Aroha 3) and a mayor.