Jersey Youth Choir funding (FOI)

Request 

A new 'Jersey Youth Choir' has been established "in association with the Government of Jersey". It is spoken abroad that this means financial support from taxpayers for what clearly appears to be a private sector venture involving an organisation known as the 'Jersey Academy of Music'. 

A

Precisely how much taxpayers money is being provided for this venture, and over what period? 

B

By which ministerial decision was this approved and by virtue of which policy within Ministers' 'strategic priorities'. Please provide a copy of the decision or point to where it can be found. 

C

What analysis of choir provision in Jersey was undertaken to inform the decision to fund the venture; and what competitive process was undertaken to seek to ensure best value for money? 

D

Please provide a copy of the contract with the 'Jersey Academy of Music' pertaining to the 'Jersey Youth Choir' and explain with exactitude what conditions attach to the provision of financial support for it including outcome measurements, reporting requirements and requirements to ensure that the public at large has access to the venture including ease of access for young people to the rehearsal venue(s) absent motor transport. 

Response 

A

£5000, The autumn term of the 2022 academic year. 

B

This was a grant from Connect Me: Connecting our Communities Grant Scheme, a Government of Jersey initiative designed to address health and social issues arising from the pandemic through cultural and physical activities. The decision to approve the project was made by a Political Oversight Group in March 2022. There was not a Ministerial Decision. 

C

There was no formal analysis of choir provision. Decisions were taken to meet the needs of pupils in the education system and to raise the profile of vocal skills in schools. 

There is no need for a competitive process for a grant, this was inherent in the submission process and funding was not guaranteed. 

D

There is no formal contract or financial benefit to Jersey Academy of Music (JAM). 

JAM have agreed to provide their premises free of charge to host the choir, hence being associated with the choir. Should this not have been possible then the choir would have rehearsed in a school building. 

Performance indicators were included within the proposal regarding attendance, pupils' sense of belonging, and access to a range of musical genre and there is a requirement to report back to those giving the grant. 

External reporting to the wider public is not the responsibility of the grant recipient. This is the decision of those issuing the grant as part of the Connect Me Grant Scheme. 

This is a school choir for pupils in schools from age 10 to 18yrs. It is not a full community access venture. 

No transport support has been requested by parents as part of this venture to this point in time.