The Minister for local Government and the Department of Internal Affairs are both now involved in the Invercargill City Council issues.

Following a public excluded meeting yesterday, the council released details around the decisions made, which included appointing an independent governance expert – Bruce Robertson.

Council determined to proactively address the issues by coming up with a plan as requested by the DIA, that will be considered at an extraordinary meeting tomorrow.

The draft plan for consideration will be put together by the chief executive and Council Leadership Group, with guidance from Mr Robertson.

It will then be considered (in public) at another extraordinary council meeting on September 3.

Last week the DIA sent a letter to the Mayor Tim Shadbolt and the council chief executive Clare Hadley, following recent internal conflict reported in the media.

“It is not apparent that there is any willingness to settle these conflicts.

“This does not give confidence that the council can resolve its differences and represent its community with a unified leadership,’’ the letter said.

The DIA has requested that council undertake an independent evaluation of the standard of the governance, and provide a plan on how it will restore trust and confidence.

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