Letters to the editor: Residents face late rates penalty despite lockdown

The Rotorua Lakes Council building and Civic Centre in 2020. Photo / Andrew Warner

Rotorua Lakes Council is closed, as are many other offices. Our bank is closed, and we are unable to enter in order to make payments.

We are elderly, as are a great many others in the area. We do not trust or often use computers in order to pay our bills. We have no outstanding bills and always pay our debts on time.

The RLC accounts will show that in 10 years we have not been late with a single payment.
Rotorua Lakes Council, on enquiring, stated that unless our latest rates payment (more than $800) was made by August 31 we would be penalised.

In my view, this attitude is appalling and shows a complete lack of care and understanding.

Jim Adams
Rotorua

Review would build trust

Yet again a councillor's request for an independent review of Rotorua Lakes Council's governance has been denied (News, August 26).

I believe an independent review would either vindicate council or, alternatively, offer a route and guidance out of an increasingly bleak and unaffordable future for Rotorua.

It would be the first step towards rebuilding trust and confidence in the council and help it meet community expectations.

What is there to hide?

Paddi Hodgkiss
Rotorua

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