Manawatū District Council

1. Receives the report titled “Local Government Reform – Head Start Pathway”.

2. Will not submit an outline proposal under the Government’s Head Start pathway for local government reform.

3. Confirms its opposition to compulsory local government amalgamation while continuing to engage constructively with the Government on alternative local government reform approaches.

4. Authorises the Mayor and Chief Executive to continue exploring and advocating for alternative local government reform models outside the Head Start pathway that seek to achieve the Government's objectives while retaining local representation, local decision-making and local accountability, including working collaboratively with other councils where appropriate.

5. Authorises the Mayor to communicate Council's position to the Minister of Local Government, Ministry for Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport, or any affected councils should the Manawatū District Council be identified as a proposed partner in any Head Start proposal or other local government reform proposal that has not been endorsed by the Council.

6. Authorises the Mayor to sign the tabled Draft Regional Memorandum of Understanding and tabled Draft Letter to the Minister of Local Government, subject to any minor amendments approved by the Chief Executive.

7. Authorises the Chief Executive to approve any minor amendments to the tabled Draft Regional Memorandum of Understanding and tabled Draft Letter to the Minister of Local Government before they are finalised.