Parishes would finance road repairs under new proposals

A report, just published, recommends island ratepayers should cease paying for welfare and instead maintain roads and other services.

Wide-ranging recommendations have been made by the steering group set up to review the relationship between the parishes and the executive.

It suggests easing the welfare burden on urban parishes, in return for States services such as main roads, public toilets and lighting being covered by ratepayers.

Steering group chairman, Deputy David Crespel, said welfare costs were expected to increase in future and the States was better suited to absorb that increase than rate payers.

Additional money

"They have a very wide tax base to raise additional money to pay for this, which is much more fairly spread across all taxpayers rather than just - at the moment - the particular parishes.

"You have to appreciate that the real burden of the welfare falls on the main urban parishes, and that is grossly unfair."

The recommendations, which are now out for public consultation, also say - in addition to new arrangements for domestic rates - a flat rate of all island businesses should be set by the constables.

They also suggest the States pays rates on all its land and property, and the Comite des Constables should be set up as a legal body.