Parish system needs 'modernisation', report

A review of Jersey's parish system has praised its traditions but concluded some parts are outdated and need to change.

The Parishes and Government Review Panel report said while the island's 12 parishes were "valued highly" by islanders, it was "reasonable" to expect the way they operate to evolve to meet the needs of those who use it.

The St Lawrence constable, Deidre Mezbourian, said she welcomed the report and said its recommendations would future-proof the parish system.

Parishes have existed in Jersey since the 11th Century and serve as the primary level of government, managing waste collection, roads and community services.

In the report, Deputy Helen Miles, chair of the panel, said the parishes "are not relics of the past", but instead stressed they were "highly relevant to the island's present and future".

"At the same time, the panel was clear that valuing tradition does not mean avoiding scrutiny," she said.

Miles continued: "Many of the structures, legislative frameworks and governance arrangements within which the parish system operates are historic and, in some cases, fragmented or outdated.

"Expectations around transparency, accessibility, accountability and consistency have evolved, and it is reasonable for islanders to expect public institutions – including parishes – to evolve with them."

The report also highlighted some parishes were struggling to recruit people to be a part of the voluntary Honorary Police.

It said there should be "improved consistency, sustainability and equity in areas of shared service delivery".

Other recommendations by the panel include improving transparency and participation, accountability for decision making, and establishing a "clearer and more structured" line of communication between parishes and the government.

Deidre Mezbourian, who has been the St Lawrence constable since 2005, said: "I don't have a problem with the recommendations.

"My view is that what we need to do is to continue enhancing Jersey's way of life through the parishes and keep it meaningful over the next few centuries.

"For centuries they've been led by the constables, so the system works, but there's always room for improvement."

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