I was one of those who spoke against the proposals at the original Parish Rates Assembly, where the plans were first presented and approved. My objections to the plans are essentially the same as those of Save Jersey’s Heritage. I also attended the subsequent Ecclesiastical Assembly, which gave congregation approval to the proposals.
Interestingly, your article quotes Constable Diedre Mezbourian and the Rector as saying that they have the support of the congregation and parishioners to go ahead with the project.
The final paragraph then quotes Mrs Mezbourian as saying ‘… the project we have ended up with is what the congregation wants’. This second quote is subtly but significantly different to the first. It is certainly true that the proposals were approved at the Parish Assembly, by a vote of 35 to 8.
However, it is also true that in her welcoming comments to parishioners at the start of that Assembly, Mrs Mezbourian commented that she was pleased to see such an unusually large number of parishioners in attendance and that she assumed that most were there for just one agenda item, which proved to be the case.
My feeling, from both meetings is that an active majority of the congregation do appear to be supportive of the plans.
However, I genuinely doubt that many parishioners, who are now also committed to providing Rates funding of up to £80,000 for the project, actually support, or were even aware that the matter was to be considered at the Parish Assembly.
As is normal in Jersey Parish affairs, notification of meetings and agenda items are published in the Jersey Gazette, with paper notices placed in the little boxes attached to Parish Church walls.
Somehow, I doubt that all parishioners make a point of reading Gazette notices and many do not even know where their parish box is. It is therefore not really surprising that a relatively small number of people, who are prepared for the meeting, can vote through a proposition which may not have universal support.
I remain hopeful, however, that if enough parishioners care, anything can be changed.
