In the second part of our series in which we give States Members 200 words to reflect on their achievements over the past year, the Constables share their thoughts
Constable Chris Taylor (St John)
In the parish of St John, I hope I have continued the tradition of ‘having fun’ and enjoying parish life. We had a successful evening to celebrate the 70th Liberation anniversary, the parish hosted some of the Island Games and in August we had a Visite Royale.
In the States I am a member of the Corporate Services Scrutiny Panel, which is the busiest panel by some margin. We produced a response to the Medium Term Financial Plan, the States’ new pension scheme and the reshuffling of ministries by the Chief Minister. The panel has issued an interim report on the Jersey International Finance Centre. This has been a big eye-opener, showing how out of touch with reality the Council of Ministers can be.
I also serve on the Public Accounts Committee, which produced a report on public-sector reform which was most critical of the government. Finally, I sit on the Privileges and Procedures Committee, which oversees States procedures and discipline amongst States Members. It has been a privilege to serve as Constable and I would like to thank the honorary members of the parish, my secretary and staff, the Scrutiny officers and everyone who has helped me over the last year.
Constable Juliette Gallichan (St Mary)
I told my constituents that I would keep the pressure on the Transport Minister to deliver the promised road safety strategy – I did throw my hat in the ring to be Transport and Technical Services Assistant Minister but was not successful in that bid. I continue to pursue the matter through questions and other means.
I was elected chairman of the Planning Applications Committee and continue to work within the new procedures set down by the States Assembly to apply the principles of the Island Plan – there have been many challenges and difficult decisions in this first year.
Read about what the Constables have achieved here
I also serve on the States Employment Board, Access to Justice Review and Legislation Advisory Panel.
I have also had a full agenda of purely parish matters.
Constable Simon Crowcroft (St Helier)
At last, a Council of Ministers which has made St Helier one of its strategic priorities! Having tried for years to persuade the States to tackle St Helier’s unfair burdens I am pleased this Chief Minister has taken up the challenge: payment of rates on States properties in 2017 while the unfairness of St Helier ratepayers funding public amenities such as parks, gardens, toilets and litter bins – services which elsewhere in the Island are paid for out of taxation – will end.
The Future St Helier group (including TTS, Environment, Housing and ED ministers) is developing proposals to improve our capital: a safer, more pedestrian-friendly environment, better facilities for cyclists, increased parking for disabled drivers and shoppers, thriving retail and hospitality offerings, more trees, benches, water features; the new finance centre will also offer environmental benefits as well as funds to regenerate other parts of St Helier.
I remain concerned at the time it is taking to deliver simple, practical solutions to problems, such as the sea lettuce which has spoiled our main beach this summer, and want the Fort Regent project to happen. The new Hospital mustn’t decrease the relatively small amount of public amenity space available to parishioners, however.
Constable Len Norman (St Clement)
Both have been very busy, but the highlights at PPC have been persuading the States to introduce cameras into States sittings to enable people to view the States in action.
This will be in place the early part of next year. We will also be debating the appointment of a Commissioner for Standards (already agreed in principle) to monitor and deal with complaints against Members who might breach the code of conduct.
We are also making considerable, inclusive, progress on reform of the States and expect to be a position to debate the issue in the spring.
At the Comité des Connétables we have come under the Freedom of Information Law earlier than planned, thus proving our commitment to openness and transparency in the parishes. We have progressed the online delivery of parish services, most notably the online payment of rates.
We are consulting on littering and dog fouling. This started in October and continues until the end of December. The Honorary Police Medal for long and meritorious service was granted by Royal Warrant and was recently awarded to 61 officers.
Constable Philip Le Sueur (Trinity)
Where have the last 12 months gone? I retired on 31 October 2014 and was sworn in as Constable of Trinity on 3 November. Since then, as someone who has never previously been actively involved in politics, it has been a vertical learning curve.
Apart from the reading and preparation for meetings of the Assembly, attendance at briefings and the numerous meetings one gets invited to as a States Member, I have limited my States work to membership of the Planning Applications Committee. It is a role in which I thought I would be able to contribute most, having spent the last 46 years in the construction industry.
This year has seen the completion of the latest phase of parish-owned retirement homes. The addition of five new bungalows for over-55s occupation at Maison Gallichan, bringing the total number of retirement homes that we manage to 29.
The role of Constable in a small rural parish (albeit we are the third-largest geographically) is very much a hands-on operation. Some days if asked to write down what have you achieved today, it would be extremely difficult. Most of what I deal with on a daily basis may be considered small in the grand scheme of things. Often queries from parishioners and others and just trying to be as helpful as I can will take up most of my day.
Constable John Refault (St Peter)
I was pleased to be returned to the office of Constable of St Peter uncontested to enable me to continue in delivering improvements in the parish and also a return to Health and Social Services for a second term in that role.
The challenge of the new Hospital is foremost in our minds, along with business as usual in the General Hospital, which is where my responsibilities lie, along with the ongoing challenges of reducing costs and, for St Peter, the incorporation of the Ports of Jersey, where I have played a role on the programme oversight group.
My ongoing project in the parish is the delivery of first-time-buyer homes affordable in perpetuity is gaining strength, but still has some hurdles to overcome, such as law changes to enable joint ownership and other more easily remedied regulations.
On a personal level, the resignation of our well-loved parish rector impacted on the New Year but also brought me closer to the interregnum priest, Father Nick Freeland. Unfortunately for Fr Nick, he was not selected for the permanent post. However, we have recently welcomed Father Michael Phillips and his wife Rae to our newly refurbished rectory.
Earlier this year also saw the transfer of ownership of Rue Rose and Rue Carré to the Ports of Jersey to enable them to meet the Airport’s safety requirements and look forward to the cycle tracks that they have agreed to provide in exchange for the roads.
In closing, we are looking forward to our senior citizens’ Christmas lunch and a better New Year just over a handful of weeks away.
Constable Steve Pallett (St Brelade)
Taking into account the current financial pressures on central government, I am acutely aware of the need for St Brelade to make best use of rates received and minimise any future increase by continued prudent spending. We have had a steady parish rate in St Brelade for the past few years and I can assure parishioners I will seek to ensure value for money, even though there is an ever-increasing demand on parish services.
To become more efficient and provide better services the parish is keen to be part of the e-government initiative, which is currently moving towards the rates system being available online, which already offers payment online and will include shortly the ability to return the rates assessment online.
2015 has seen phase two of the traffic-calming scheme in Petite Route des Mielles and next year will see the whole scheme completed.We have already seen both the volume of cars and speed along both an important pedestrian route to nearby schools and a residential road decrease, making it safer for all. This road has in the past been a notorious ‘rat run’ for commuter traffic. I am working with the parish Roads Committee to implement what will be the first residential parking scheme in St Brelade within Les Quennevais Park. I am hopeful that if successful such schemes can be used elsewhere in the parish where parking is problematic.
Constable Michel Le Troquer (St Martin)
Although wanting to continue to play my part as an active Member of the States I made a conscious decision not to seek a second term on a Scrutiny Panel but to concentrate on the provision of affordable homes in St Martin, work associated with the return of the former St Martin’s School to the parochial authority to ensure occupancy of at least some of the complex within short order and finally to ensure the refurbishment of other existing parish-owned properties to avoid them falling into an even worse state of disrepair.
Nevertheless, I have continued to serve as one of the three States Member commissioners on the Jersey Overseas Aid Commission in a year that has seen increasing challenges placed on the commission, in particular for emergency grants to assist the hundreds of thousands of displaced persons in areas of conflict, the Vanuatu cyclone and Nepal earthquake.
I also serve on the States Employment Board at a time of many challenges faced by the board, including the 2015 public sector pay review, workforce modernisation and public sector reform, pension changes and the voluntary redundancy programme.
My frustration on all fronts, States and parish, remains the long delays in concluding projects.
Constable Sadie Le Sueur-Rennard (St Saviour)
The parish took over its 32 bungalows; all are occupied. We only had two people say no.
St Saviour was the first parish for the Visite Royale of the year. I had never been involved with one before. There was a lot of work but we did well. The staff at the parish hall were magnificent and credit must go to them.
As you know I sing Beautiful Jersey and this year was my last time to do it on 9 May – I have stepped aside at 70.
One of my Procureurs passed away in February; this was such a big shock. I ran short of honorary officers but worked hard and we seem to be doing OK now.
I cannot let this pass without saying the parish lost its wonderful past secretary, Mike Mallet. He was with us from January 1991 until December 2012.
He guided me through my first months of office and I could not have done without his guidance and support. A true gentleman and like most here I have missed him big time. Prior to joining St Saviour he was with Grouville for 14 years; he had so much knowledge other secretaries would call him for help.
As for the States, many thing came up that have disappointed me and although I voted with my heart and my head we lost them. Sometimes I feel common sense seems to have left us.
Constable Deidre Mezbourian (St Lawrence)
Business as usual in St Lawrence, also working with project board to finalise plans for the Moignard Liberation Garden in the historic village centre. This is the parish Liberation 70 project, due to be completed early next year.
As Assistant Minister for Home Affairs, working closely with the minister on day-to-day matters as well as with service heads to manage MTFP funding.
Constable Michael Paddock (St Ouen)
As States Member:
- Attending States Assembly and associated duties that go with that role.
- Member of EDD Scrutiny Panel. The work involved in this is well documented, but if more information is required, please contact Malcolm Orbell.
As parish Constable:
- Attending and being an active member of Le Comité des Connétables.
- Running the parish, including the parish workforce and sheltered homes, organising parish events to mark historic periods in our history (Liberation Day 70th anniversary, 450th anniversary of links with Sark), attending/listening to parishioners concerns and assisting them accordingly.
