Mayor Garry Webber's rearranged the committee structure of the Western Bay of Plenty District Council to better align it with his commitment to be open, transparent, responsive to the community and inclusive of the people's voice.

The new council will have a Community Committee, Long Term Plan and Annual Plan Committee, Operations/Monitoring Committee, Policy Committee and Rural Committee.

'I will certainly be continuing our council's legacy of working collaboratively with our partners on strategic sub-regional matters such as growth management, sub-regional relationships and our relationship with tangata whenua,” says Garry.

'We also have major decisions to make regarding infrastructural needs, community development plans and dealing with specific pressure points created by growth across the district.

'We have a lot of work to do – and I have confidence that with the experience of returning councillors and the fresh thinking of the newly-elected members we will be working really hard to meet the needs of our communities.''

The new committee structure provides a more approachable forum for community leaders and community groups to share their ideas and concerns, says Garry.

He wants people to see a tangible change in the way council operates. Garry says he'll be ensuring council delivers on his mandate to have a stronger rural focus, a closer ear on community concerns, a more inclusive leadership style and to work collaboratively in the best interests of the district.

Re-elected Katikati-Waihi Beach Ward councillor Mike Williams is deputy mayor. The depth of experience Mike has gained during three consecutive terms, his qualification as a commissioner and his knowledge across a range of the district's strategic issues make him the strongest contender, says Garry.

Mike has served on a diverse range of committees including Operations, Regulatory Hearings, Community as a chair, the Annual Plan and Long Tern Plan sub-committee, Finance and Risk, and Policy and Strategy.

He's a council member on the SmartGrowth Implementation Committee, the Joint Governance Committee of Tauranga City and Western Bay councils; Te Komiti Maori and has served on the community boards of Katikati and Waihi Beach.

The choice of chairs for the committees is based on each individual councillor's skillset they bring to council and their expertise in relation to their committee's role. Mike will be addressing specific issues on a ward-by-ward basis to reflect the diversity of the district, says Garry.

The full council structure will be brought to council's first meeting on November 10.

The committee structure includes:

Deputy Mayor Mike Williams

• Community Committee: chair Peter Mackay, deputy chair Margaret Murray-Benge.
• Long Term Plan & Annual Plan Committee: chair John Scrimgeour, deputy chair Peter Mackay.
• Operations/Monitoring Committee: chair Don Thwaites, deputy chair John Palmer.
• Policy Committee: chair Mike Williams, deputy chair David Marshall.
• Rural Committee: chair Kevin Marsh, deputy chair Mark Dean.

Appointees to community boards are:

• Waihi Beach Community Board: David Marshall and Mike Williams.
• Katikati Community Board: Peter Mackay and Mike Williams.
• Omokoroa Community Board: Margaret Murray-Benge and John Palmer.
• Te Puke Community Board: Grant Dally and John Scrimgeour.
• Maketu Community Board: Kevin Marsh and John Scrimgeour.