An independent audit into the National Dance Foundation found that money spent on salaries was not over the top.

Earlier in the year a row erupted when five prominent members of the dance community resigned from the NDF Board amid concerns over financial and budgetary practices.

Among those who resigned were Louise Jackson, Barbara Frith and Conchita Ming — founders of the NDFs predecessor, the National Dance Theatre. The group disagreed with staff salaries totalling $190,000 for the three administrators and argued that more money should be given to the children.

But yesterday NDF Chairman, Don Kramer, revealed that an independent audit found that the positions were necessary and the salaries fair.

He added that while the Board has always considered the current staff and salary levels were necessary and appropriate to support the long-term development of the organisation they decided to ask the Human Resources Advisory Division of PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC) to conduct an independent audit for the Foundation

"We also asked PWC to recommend salary ranges for staff positions that are consistent with employment packages in the nonprofit sector," he said.

"A thorough examination of the Foundation's mission and business plan was conducted by PWC. As a result, the need for three full-time staff members to implement our business plan was validated."

Mr. Kramer added that the Centre of Philanthropy was researching compensation and benefits packages at charities across the Island at the same time PWC was looking at the NDF's finances. The findings of this research showed that the salaries and benefits NDF previously paid to staff was consistent with what employees received at other nonprofit organisations, he said.

"The Board of the National Dance Foundation supports the view held by The Centre on Philanthropy that if positions in the Third Sector require professional expertise, equitable salaries and benefits should be paid in order to attract and retain that expertise."

Mr. Kramer thanked Alistair McNeish of PWC and his staff for donating their services to the charity and added that the Board would be advertising the three positions, executive director, development officer and programme coordinator, in the coming weeks.

The NDF is a charity that aims to promote excellence in dance and partners with the American Ballet Theatre to hold intensive summer programmes and master classes throughout the year.

Mr. Kramer added that the controversy did not take away from the good work NDF have done: ""Perhaps our most worthy achievement has been to bring students and teachers from across the Island together and, regardless of race, gender or financial status, offer them training opportunities of a world-class standard, right here at home."