Politicians have called for more transparency over how grants for cultural events are awarded and monitored, amid concerns over the financial management of the Battle of Flowers.
The Public Accounts Committee – which oversees how taxpayer money is spent – has stressed the need for a clearer policy on how grant applications are assessed, how funds are allocated, and how event finances are disclosed.
Committee chair Deputy Inna Gardiner said: “The PAC would like to emphasise the importance of supporting cultural and community events such as the Battle of Flowers.
“However, it would also like to see evidence of a clear government policy about how we support public and cultural events, including how applications are scored, how funds are allocated, and accounts of the entities organising these events.”
She added: “This situation [with the Battle of Flowers] also raises questions about the governance structures that are in place around the awarding and monitoring of grants to ensure they are being utilised for the purposes intended and full disclosure of the event’s accounts.”
It this week emerged that the annual Battle of Flowers event has been operating at a financial loss for years.
And exhibitors from last year’s parade have still not been paid despite the event receiving a £270,000 government grant in 2024 – nearly double the previous year’s funding of £150,000.
Deputy Gardiner also announced the PAC’s plans to launch a review by the end of February into the government’s relationships with Arm’s Length Bodies – organisations that carry out functions on behalf of the government – and how grants and subsidies are awarded.
She explained: “The PAC is intending to launch a review by the end of February which examines the government’s relationships with Arm’s Length Bodies as well as how it awards grants and subsidies, and we shall be looking further at these issues as part of that piece of work.
“In the meantime, I hope the Government will find the way forward with the Battle of Flowers organisers even if it will need to separate between previous accounts and the current year organisation.”
Earlier this week, Economic Development Minister Kirsten Morel, who oversees arts, heritage, and culture, said he “stands ready” to support the Battle of Flowers to “secure the long-term future” of the event.
He said: “The Battle holds significant cultural and community importance to Jersey and we will continue to assist efforts to secure its sustainable future.
“We’re awaiting a grant request for 2025 and stand ready to support this.”
When the grant was increased last year, Deputy Morel told Express that the funding was intended to help the event recover from the challenges of the pandemic and attract a new generation of islanders and visitors.
Asked about the funding disparity between Battle and the Jersey International Air Display, which received a £40,000 grant, Deputy Morel said the two were “not comparable events.”
He added: “One of the key differences between [Battle] and the air display in terms of government funding was that the Battle of Flowers Association came to us a long time ago, a year ago, with a business case [saying] if you can give us this much extra funding, we will do this, this and this to modernise etc.”
Express has repeatedly contacted Jersey Battle of Flowers Association chairman Russell Labey for comment but has not received a response.