A motion for George Town Council to enter a memorandum of understanding with West Tamar to investigate a possible merge passed at last week’s council meeting.
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An amendment moved by councillor Peter Parkes to not enter into the MOU failed to gain support despite some heated debate.
West Tamar voted in favour of entering the MOU process with George Town at its council meeting last week.
Councillors who were for the motion, to not engage in the process, raised concerns about the potential for George Town to lose its identity if it were to merge with West Tamar.
In addition concerns were raised about the time frame and commitment of the study process. It’s believed a clause in the conditions of the study say a council must commit to the outcome of the study.
Cr Greg Dawson said he believed it was “putting the cart before the horse” and any resource sharing arrangements should be investigated before the council committed to a merger process.
However other councillors said they believed amalgamations were soon to be on the cards and it was important George Town was involved in the process as early as possible.
George Town mayor Bridget Archer said there was “plenty of discussion” about the topic at the George Town meeting on the motion.
She said it gave councillors the opportunity to raise any concerns they had with the potential of a merge.
”It certainly wasn’t straight forward or smooth sailing,” she said.
“It’s a bold step forward for both councils, to enter into this type of arrangement.”
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