Bailiff's Chambers spent an extra £66k on "ceremonial events"

Monday 25 March 2024

The Bailiff's Chambers racked up a bill of £66,000 in "unplanned costs" last year after spending more than intended on festivities to mark the King's Coronation and Liberation Day.

Treasury gave the extra cash to the department in a Ministerial Decision signed off on 16 February.

A report outlining the reason for awarding the extra money explained that the Bailiff's Chambers held a "series of ceremonial events in 2023, notably including festivities to celebrate the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III as well as other significant annual events such as Liberation Day".

Pictured: Coronation celebrations were held across the island in May last year. (Dave Ferguson)

"The importance and significance of the events held in 2023 meant that certain unplanned costs had to be incurred to maintain the dignity and ensure the success of these historic events," the report explained.

The King's Coronation and Liberation Day events fell on the same long weekend last year, giving islanders an opportunity to get their flags out twice over the course of four days.

The report added that it was anticipated that the Bailiff's Chambers might have been able to absorb the additional costs, but it had "been unable to do so and therefore additional funding is required".

In a statement, the Bailiff’s Chambers said it made sure that all significant events were accessible to islanders.

"As an example the annual celebration of Liberation Day is organised and delivered by the Bailiff’s Chambers which is a free event. Other significant national events are also organised and delivered by the Bailiff’s Chambers and we try to make all such events accessible for all islanders without personal cost.

"Where we know about events or the details of them sufficiently in advance, we will have been able to secure an allocated budget.

"The programme of events in question was drafted at relatively short notice in order to compliment the plans as they evolved in London. In particular, the spend for the Coronation weekend at £66,000 went towards funding a free public event that was held in Coronation Park, Millbrook. This included security, sanitation, infrastructure including a large public screen that enabled members of the public to come together and watch the historic moment of the Coronation of the King.

"It is clear that many islanders attended and did indeed value this event."

The full Ministerial Decision can be found HERE.