Simon Crowcroft has put together a municipal reform steering group that plans to bring forward proposals to convert the parish’s Roads Committee into a full town council, which would include a greater number of elected officials.
It is hoped that the proposals will be approved at the parish and States assemblies this year, so that a reformed council can be elected in 2020.
Mr Crowcroft said that plans for a town council were originally approved in the States more than 100 years ago but had never been put into practice.
He added that support for the idea was now unanimous among St Helier’s Procureurs du Bien Public [financial and legal officials] and Roads Committee members, so the decision has been made to progress the project.
‘What we would like to have is the Roads Committee’s power extended and for more people to be elected,’ said Mr Crowcroft.
‘We already have legislation in place which allows us to have a larger Roads Committee than the other parishes. St Helier is probably too big for one Constable to deal with and it would be helpful to have more people taking on responsibilities.
‘We would like to have people championing certain areas. For example, we could have someone responsible for the environment and improving recycling in St Helier. I think that is very important.
‘With planning, the council could also take more responsibility in certain areas. We are already statutory consultees for planning, so I don’t see why we can’t have more power to make decisions.
‘With licensing, applicants have to apply to the parish and then go to the Royal Court. If the parish had responsibility for licensing, then it would cut a lot of red tape and save money.’
Mr Crowcroft added that the move would not result in a change to the existing parish rates system in St Helier or see it replaced with a council tax.
‘As far as I am concerned the ability of parish ratepayers to set rates is sacrosanct and that would not change,’ he said.
He explained that he believed the town council proposal already had a good deal of support from States Members.
‘I would want members of the Constable’s Committee to be involved, because the proposals would need to be approved by the States Assembly,’ he said.
‘The idea was part of the Reform Jersey manifesto. Sam Mézec tried to get it included in the previous Strategic Plan, but it was rejected, although I voted in favour of it.
‘I think that it would get the support of the St Helier Deputies. I would like to see something put forward for parishioners within the next few months because the next Roads Committee elections are in 2020 and we need to get on with this.’
