Jersey Opera House Limited: Annual Grant 2019

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A decision made on 25 March 2019:

Decision Reference:MD-E-2019-0010
Decision Summary Title:	Jersey Opera House Limited Annual Grant 2019		Date of Decision Summary:	4 February 2019
Decision Summary Author:	Strategic Policy Manager		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt?	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written		Person Giving Oral Report:	N/A
Written Report Title:	2019 Report – Grant Award to Jersey Opera House		Date of Written Report:	15 January 2019
Written Report Author:	Strategic Policy Manager		Written Report : Public or Exempt?	Public
Subject: Jersey Opera House Limited - 2019 Annual Grant.
Decision(s): The Minister approved an Annual Grant not exceeding £463,000 to fund the cost of delivering the objectives contained within Jersey Opera House Limited’s 2019 Business Plan.
Reason(s) for Decision: The Minister, having considered Jersey Opera House Limited’s past performance and business plan and noting that the services to be delivered under that business plan are in line with the States of Jersey’s strategic goals and objectives as well as its current cultural strategy, endorsed the business plan.
Resource Implications: The 2019 Annual Grant of up to £463,000 has been identified from within the Department’s 2019 budget. There are no further financial or manpower implications.
Action required: The Strategic Policy Manager is instructed to arrange for the 2019 Annual Grant schedules to be finalised and signed. Officers are further instructed to monitor delivery of the award and to take remedial action as appropriate through the course of the year.
Signature:		Position: Minister for EDTSC
Date Signed:		Date of Decision:

Jersey Opera House Limited: Annual Grant 2019

2019 Report - Grant Award to Jersey Opera House

Context

Jersey Opera House Limited (JOH) was established by the Jersey Arts Trust (JAT) to run the Opera House; JAT is the shareholder. However, since serious financial problems were experienced in 2005/2006, the JAT has effectively allowed JOH to function independently, endorsing the selection of board members by open public process.

In addition to JOH, there is also a charitable Trust which has been established to fund-raise for the Jersey Opera House.

The JOH receives a revenue grant from the States to contribute to the running costs of the Opera House as a theatre for the benefit of the local community and visitors. The funding supports the activities of the JOH and specifically allows it to:

Provide public access to the Jersey Opera House accordingly to the partnership schedule.
Provide a diverse programme of performances, balancing commercial opportunities with cultural content in the Main House and Studio space.
Offer opportunities to artists to exhibit their work in the café.

Promote the Opera House programme to visitors, in addition to residents.

Operate the Jersey Opera House as an historic building which is the focus of cultural activity and social exchange in St Helier.

Offer a programme of participative activities for young people.
Make facilities available for hire to community arts groups.
Maximise participation of volunteers.
Work with the other funded cultural organisation to maximise impact of the Opera House’s activities and States’ investment in culture.

The Department have now reviewed JOH’s performance for 2018 and 2019 business plan, as part of the Department’s compliance and governance framework. This includes ensuring alignment with the States of Jersey’s current cultural strategy and supports the States’ strategic goals and departmental objectives. The Department are satisfied with the information that has been provided and support the issuance of the grant.

The resource implication reflects the provision made within the current Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP).

Recommendation

The Minister is recommended to agree to JAC’s grant as follows:

£463,600 as the revenue grant paid over four quarterly payments.