The Western Bay of Plenty District Council has voted not to submit its own Head Start proposal under the Government’s Simplifying Local Government reform programme, opting instead to participate through the Government-led Back Stop process. In a significant development, Tauranga City Council has voted to continue with a proposal for a new council covering both Tauranga City and the Western Bay, combining territorial and regional council responsibilities into a single local authority. That proposal forms part of a coordinated Bay of Plenty response involving councils from across the region, although Western Bay will not be submitting its own Head Start proposal. Despite stepping back from leading the process, Western Bay could still be affected if the Government decides to progress proposals submitted by neighbouring councils. #Tags:#RadioWaatea #WaateaNews #WesternBayOfPlenty #TaurangaCityCouncil #LocalGovernment #CouncilReform #BayOfPlenty #JamesDenyer #SimplifyingLocalGovernment #LocalDemocracy #RegionalGovernance #Community #Aotearoa #NZPolitics #LocalNews #GovernmentReform #PublicConsultation #Councils #WesternBay #Tauranga