CREDITORS left out of pocket after last year’s debt-ridden Battle of Flowers will be paid today with £120,000 of taxpayers’ money.
The Government has said that the money will be an advance of future grants, meaning that, in years to come, the parade will receive less public money than it otherwise would.
Exhibitors, security firms, the parish of St Helier, DJs, civil engineers and marquee companies are among organisations believed to have not been paid for services provided to the three-day event last August.
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 Battle property assets, but that was not viable. We were also 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 event so it is important that it has a future.
In April, the JEP 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.
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.”
Mr Maguire said that he expected all creditors to be paid by this afternoon.
One of those due payment today, Warren Plant of AP Plant Services, which supplied electricity to last year’s loss-making event, said he was relieved that he would be paid after a year of being owed £12,000.
“It is a relief to me and everyone else owed money,” he said. “I appreciate that there is a new team in place who weren’t responsible for last year but changing the name of a company is all well and good – it is still the Battle of Flowers at the end of the day. It’s outrageous that we’ve had to wait this long.”
Battle received a £270,000 grant from Government last year – nearly double the previous year’s funding of £150,000. This year, the scaled-back event has received a £220,000 grant but the Government specified that it cannot be used to pay off debts.
There had been fears that some suppliers would have been pulled out of supporting the new Battle if debts remained outstanding, and Mr Plant admitted he would not have got involved.
Speaking before news of the settlement, Mr Plant said: “Battle remains a great community event but because we’re a small community, including everyone who helps to make it happen, we can’t let last year happen again – financial viability should be part of the risk assessment.”
That view was shared by Steve Cartright, Chief Officer of the Bailiff’s Chamber, who administers the Bailiff’s Panel, which must approve all public events.
He said: “It is the hands of the States Assembly but perhaps it would make sense for the panel to have the powers to assess the financial position and governance behind an event.
“There is a risk with community-led events that quite a large one can be run by people who may have the enthusiasm but not the skills or experience to manage it properly.”
It is understood that the Government is looking at updating the current events’ law, which has to be approved every three years, to improve their regulation.
