Pay continues for Manurewa board member while SFO assesses complaint

Auckland Council says Manurewa Local Board member Marshal Ahluwalia will continue to be paid while the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) assesses a complaint referred by the council.

Lou-Ann Ballantyne, Auckland Council's General Manager Governance and Engagement, said elected members remain entitled to remuneration while they hold office.

"While a member remains a member, they are entitled to be paid."

Ahluwalia has requested and received a leave of absence from the Manurewa Local Board.

Ballantyne said Ahluwalia continues to receive remuneration because he remains an elected member and continues carrying out some responsibilities.

"The member is maintaining a number of business-as-usual roles during his leave of absence and continues to receive remuneration," Ballantyne said.

She said elected members on leave commonly continue receiving remuneration, particularly where the leave is for a short period.

Under the Manurewa Local Board's standing orders, a member who is absent without leave from meetings can lose their seat.

"There is not a [time] limit, but if a member is absent without leave of the local board from four consecutive meetings other than extraordinary meetings, this will result in the loss of their seat,” Ballantyne said.

The Manurewa Local Board. Member Marshal Ahluwalia remains on leave from board duties. Photo/Auckland Council.

She said situations involving elected members are considered on their individual merits and that a balance must be maintained between transparency, privacy and natural justice.

A SFO spokesperson confirmed to Local Democracy Reporting that while it is evaluating a complaint received from Auckland Council regarding a local board member, it would not comment on whether a formal investigation has begun.

The SFO said every complaint it receives is evaluated to determine whether there are sufficient grounds to open either a Part 1 enquiry or a Part 2 criminal investigation under the SFO Act 1990.

The agency would not comment on the nature of the complaint or any possible next steps.

Heather Andrew, chair of the Manurewa Local Board, said the board was first informed of Ahluwalia's leave request on 12 May.

She said responsibilities previously assigned to Ahluwalia, including the Manukau Harbour Forum and the Wiri Business Improvement District, were being covered by other local board members.

Heather Andrew, chair of the Manurewa Local Board. Photo/Auckland Council.

"Member Ahluwalia remains an elected member representing his constituents and continues to perform this role, which includes actioning constituent enquiries and providing informal input into the work programme."

Andrew said the board remained focused on serving the community while the matter followed the appropriate process.

"While the matter is being looked into and follows the correct process, the board will continue to focus on our priorities which is to represent all our communities on a united front," she said.

"The community can be assured that we are focused on our responsibilities, and the matter is being managed."

Ahluwalia was approached for comment but did not respond before publication.

LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.