Using a sub-clause in the law, the government has granted Mr Parker ‘entitled’ residential status, which ordinary Islanders have to earn by living in Jersey for ten years.
When approached for comment on Mr Parker’s exceptional residential rights, States communications officials seemed unable to agree. Director of communications Stephen Hardwick, who was brought in by Mr Parker, said that no States employee had been granted entitled status within the past year.
However, a comment from a States spokesperson confirmed that Mr Parker, who earns around £250,000 a year, has been granted entitled status and that he intends to remain in Jersey for the long term.
‘Mr Parker has since made clear in interviews and statements that he is here for the long haul and is committed to delivering a modern, one-government public service for Jersey. The decision was made by an assistant minister, as an exception, following a request from the States Employment Board,’ she said.
The decision, which was described by a senior official as ‘previously unheard of’, contradicts established procedure for accommodating incoming public-sector employees who are regarded as essential to the Island’s services or economy.
Ordinarily, such employees, who might be senior civil servants as well as doctors, teachers and nurses, are given licensed (formally J-category) housing status. Being licensed enables immigrant employees to enjoy greater freedom to rent and buy property than those with ‘registered’ (unqualified) status. However, licensed rights last only for the period a person remains in the role for which the licensed status was granted. Licensed Islanders would, therefore, lose their enhanced housing rights if they lost or left their jobs.
In Mr Parker’s case, though, his entitled status would allow him to remain in the Island, with the power to buy and sell property, regardless of whether he continues in his current, or any, employment.
A report from October last year, signed by previous Assistant Chief Minister Paul Routier, stated that the decision was exceptional and cited Mr Parker’s quality as a candidate as the main justification.
‘This request was made on an exceptional basis, noting the quality of Mr Parker as a candidate and having particular regard to the consistency of his track record in delivering change within a number of substantial and relevant organisations.’
A caveat in the report stated that Mr Parker, who is currently 57 years old, would have to complete five years of ‘satisfactory performance’ in his role, which was defined in the same document as Mr Parker completing five years in the job ‘with no disciplinary proceedings in train’.
Sources who are familiar with the terms of Mr Parker’s employment have said that he made it a condition of his contract that he would be given entitled status. Having secured full residency rights without completing ten years in the Island, Mr Parker now has the option to retire here after just five years of work in the local economy.
In general terms, it is understood that there are significant tax advantages for Jersey resident retirees who are able to transfer their UK pensions to the Channel Islands.
People familiar with conversations in government at the time of the decision to grant Mr Parker entitled status have confirmed that support for it was not unanimous. At the time of going to press it had not been confirmed whether the current Chief Minister is aware of the deal.
