Auckland Council is set to reinstate funding to the Avondale Business Association (ABA) following the satisfactory conclusion of a review into the association’s financial controls.
Whau Local Board approved the step at its business meeting last night, with funding to be reinstated from December 2019, along with the funds that were withheld from April this year to investigate several serious concerns with the association.
The concerns related to 2017/18 financial statements and audit, financial governance, membership issues and register and operational management. Following several meetings with representatives and members of the ABA, concerned members of the community and a formal mediation meeting, a plan was developed to address the concerns raised.
New committee
A new committee and chair were voted in during the ABA 2019 annual general meeting in accordance with the council’s Business Improvement District policy, bringing a mix of new and returning committee members.
Auckland Council will continue monitoring the ABA executive committee progress through to the 2020 annual general meeting and a follow-up review of the financial controls in six months’ time.
Draw a line
Whau Local Board Chair, Kay Thomas, says the board is pleased to have been able to draw a line under the issues of the past and move forward with a clean slate.
“We are all very pleased to see the actions undertaken by the ABA in order to address the concerns that the council had.
“This has been an ongoing and high-profile issue for the area. In bringing the matter to a close we look forward to a strong, representative ABA that provides great value to its members and helps to advance the cause of Avondale.
“We are keen to work closely with the ABA going forward in order to meet those aims.”
