Dear John ...

The Invercargill City Council is calling on Southland’s councils and members of parliament to unite and stand up for local democracy by opposing the Better Local Services Bill.

Under the bill, the Local Government Commission could force councils to amalgamate their services.

Invercargill Mayor Tim Shadbolt has written an open letter to Prime Minister John Key, saying his job is to protect the democratic interests of Invercargill.

Likewise, council chief executive Richard King said the government was forcing the Auckland model on the rest of the country.

King, in a statement, said the council was shocked to learn the bill gave wide power to the commission to impose major changes on local communities.

The council wishes to present Southlander’s views to the Select Committee that will be hearing submissions on the bill.