Eight months on from a damning report into its performance, Invercargill City Council wants the report writer to return to evaluate its progress. 

Richard Thompson's report, published in November last year, was a watershed moment for the council. 

After years of poor governance and infighting between the mayor, Sir Tim Shadbolt, successive deputies, other councillors and high-ranking council staff, the review was triggered by the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA). 

It did not make good reading for the council, particularly Sir Tim. 

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Thompson found he was "increasingly unable to deliver on the kind of leadership that might unite a struggling council, and his difficulty in discharging many of the normal duties of a mayor, is becoming increasingly obvious".

Since then, his relationship with councillors appears to have degenerated further. He's publicly fallen out with his deputy mayor Nobby Clark, while there have been other headlines about his competency and health.   

Beyond Sir Tim's relationships and leadership, there were many other failings identified and an action plan was created to address everything. 

That included a controversial 'media protocol' which many commentators saw as an attempt to muzzle councillors.

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Chief executive Clare Hadley said the action plan, which was approved six months ago, involves monitoring and measuring progress along the way.

"This is an important piece of work for our council as a whole," Hadley says.

"We have all put a lot of effort into improving our processes, systems and relationships over the last six months in order to better serve our community. 

"Seeking an external review of work to date will help us keep on track and deliver the outcomes Invercargill people need.

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"The intention is to have Richard Thomson, author of the original report, carry out the six-month review and gauge progress to date. 

"In particular we want feedback on how our Action Plan has been implemented, whether it covered the key issues raised in his original report, any comments on progress and suggestions for future improvements."

The details of the review will be considered and agreed by the full council on Wednesday. It is expected to be completed by the end of July, at at cost of $18,000. 

External Appointee and Project Governance Group Chair Jeff Grant said there had been a lot of work done over the past six months. 

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"We've put a lot of new processes and policies in place to support the organisation and I have seen marked improvements in the way meetings are run and decisions are made. 

"There has also been a focus on building relationships between elected members themselves and also with staff at various levels. 

"This work is ongoing, however, and we recognise it takes time to embed real change and make changes in behaviours. 

"The six-month point is timely to take stock of progress and seek an independent appraisal of what needs to happen next." 

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ICC, in a media release, lists the progress to date.

It includes the signing of a Council Charter; a 12-month programme of improvements to support the council committee structure including reporting templates, new agenda and minutes technology, and improved LGOIMA (official information) processes; new professional development for councillors including financial governance, LGOIMA roles and responsibilities, tikanga Māori, meeting support, Local Government Act requirements, asset management and infrastructure needs, and Te Reo Māori; and development of a Council Induction process.