Opera House Investigation

UNDER STRICT EMBARGO UNTIL 0600 ON SATURDAY 8 SEPTEMBER 2007

OPERA HOUSE INVESTIGATION REPORT PUBLISHED BY THE COMPTROLLER & AUDITOR GENERAL

The Comptroller & Auditor General, Chris Swinson OBE, has published his Report, following an investigation into the corporate governance arrangements of the Jersey Opera House.

The review has taken place in the wake of the Opera House’s financial crisis in 2004, which led to appeals to the States for funding and resignations of the existing board of directors. Following significant staffing and management changes, Mr Swinson was invited by the new board of the Jersey Opera House Limited (JOHL) to undertake the investigation. The board wanted to demonstrate the robustness of its financial systems now in place, and enable a strategic review to be undertaken by the new Theatre Director, to further strengthen the overall governance arrangements at the Opera House.

The Report’s principal findings are that, whilst it is recognized that JOHL is a small organisation and so many of the financial functions are undertaken by a small Finance & Administration Office team (unlike larger companies where these functions are split), internal control arrangements are largely compliant, and there is a strong will to ensure good corporate governance practice within the organisation.

The Comptroller & Auditor General makes nine specific recommendations, including clarification of the location and nature of responsibility for the management of the Opera House and the assets within it, the implementation a code of conduct for board members and a review of staff handbook procedures.

ENDS

For further information, please contact: Mr Swinson’s office on T: 441015, or Rozena Newell on T: 629800/ 07797 733553

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