It has emerged that the Government is bailing out the Battle of Flowers by even more than the £121,000 it is giving the organising association to clear debts incurred because of last year’s financially disastrous parade.
In total, £211,000 of taypayers’ money will be used to pay creditors – including exhibitors, security firms, the Parish of St Helier, DJs, civil engineers, marque companies – who were left out of pocket last August.
In a formal letter instructing the transfer of funds, Chief Minister Lyndon Farnham and Economic Development Minister Kirsten Morel said they were making a payment of £121,000 to Battle from a fund which can be used at the discretion of the island’s top politician.
However, the two ministers have also agreed not to recoup an additional £90,000 top-up grant made last year to Battle, which was conditional on the parade’s organisers hitting key targets on governance and sustainability.
These were deemed not to be met – however, the ministers have decided not to ask for the money back, so that debts can be cleared.
It is unfortunate that, despite the efforts of the new organisers and the grant funding already provided by the Department for the Economy, the success of the event should be imperilled due to ongoing challenges in resolving the 2024 overspend
Chief minister lyndon farnham and economic development minister kirsten morel
Although taypayers will bail out Battle, the money will be taken off future grants funding the parade. It is, therefore, seen as an advance rather than a simple hand-out.
In total, last year’s Government grant was £270,000 – nearly double the £150,000 awarded in 2023.
It is understood that this weekend’s scaled-back town parade could have been under threat if the debts had not been settled, with creditors reluctant to offer their services until they were paid.
In a letter instructing Economy Department Chief Officer Richard Corrigan to make the payment, Deputies Farnham and Morel wrote: “Having carefully considered the matter, we have decided to authorise a transfer of up to £121,000 to the Battle of Flowers Events Limited.
“This funding is to be transferred from the Chief Minister’s Pilot Fund. In addition, the Department for the Economy’s £90,000 top-up grant provided in 2024 is not to be recouped in order that priority can be given to the other creditors, including the Parish of St Helier, who require payment in order to support the delivery of the 2025 event and enable Battle to continue long into the future.”
They continued: “We would ask that any future grants to any organiser of the Battle of Flowers event are made with this funding in mind, accounted for accordingly and deducted from future grants to the event.
“We would like to thank officials for their work towards finding a solution that will enable the 2025 event to proceed in its revised format. This has helped the new organisers to put together a fresh programme in a very short space of time.
“It is unfortunate that, despite the efforts of the new organisers and the grant funding already provided by the Department for the Economy, the success of the event should be imperilled due to ongoing challenges in resolving the 2024 overspend.
“Having therefore considered the balance of risks and the great benefit that Battle brings to our community and visitor economy, it is our judgement that a grant to the Battle of Flowers Events Limited to contribute towards the settling of its outstanding debt is necessary in order to enable a Battle of Flowers Parade in 2025 and beyond.”
Commenting on today’s bail out, Economic Development Minister Kirsten Morel said: “We spent time looking at the different ways to settle the Battle of Flowers Association’s debt, including the disposal of property assets, but that was not viable. We also were aware that members of the previous Association board had used their own money to pay creditors.
“We want Battle to go ahead this year and future years so the Chief Minister, myself and other ministers have decided to provide the Battle of Flowers Association with an advance of future grants in order for the Association to pay off its debts. This is in the region of £120,000 and will be funded by the Chief Minister’s Department.”
He continued: “The Battle of Flowers got itself into this difficult situation but it is part of island history and remains a cherished community events so it is important that it has a future.
“It is clear that organisations like the Battle of Flowers Association are provided with the right training and support, and their directors are fully aware of their responsibilities. We will work with the Battle of Flowers Association and other grant-funded organisations to help them access this.”
In April, it was reported that the Battle of Flowers spent at least £745,000 on the 2024 parade, including nearly £54,000 on security, £50,000 on marketing and £35,000 on international musical acts, including £30,000 on Eurovision runner-up Sam Ryder.
The traditional parade along Victoria Avenue was cancelled in March due to “insurmountable” financial challenges.
However, the board behind that parade, which was led by former Deputy Russell Labey, is no longer in place, with that board blaming soaring costs imposed by Condor Ferries, last-minute staging changes, and the number of security personnel required for the event’s financial struggles.
This year’s town parade – which takes place this weekend – is led by a new group operating under a different company structure to last year.
Martyn Maguire, who is the new Chairman of the Battle of Flowers and a director of Jersey Battle of Flowers (Parades) Ltd said: “We now have a payment plan in place to pay all creditors, and we are relieved that they will be paid.
“It was important to get this resolved as it was a millstone around our necks. It means that this weekend’s parade can go ahead with these past problems behind us.
“It is certainly a weight off our shoulders.”