NEW BEDFORD (WBSM) — New Bedford City Council President Ryan Pereira has released the 2026 committee assignments, most of which have been reduced in size as part of Pereira’s plan for greater efficiency and effectiveness. However, those committees that perform the core functions of the City Council – Finance, Ordinance, City Property, Appointments and Briefings, and Public Safety – will remain committees of the whole. Council President Pereira has also created a new committee, and opted to rename another to better reflect the work it does in 2026. Why Pereira Reduced Committee SizesIn his first weekly appearance as Council President on WBSM on January 12, Pereira explained why he was seeking to shrink some committees to just five members. “Smaller committees provide a better forum for certain discussions and certain votes.”One New Committee, One Newly-Renamed Committee for 2026Pereira has also created a new committee, Special Permits and Licensing.