THE Constable of St Martin has said she will extend the parish green to include a wetland area and refurbish the rectory barn if she is re-elected.
Karen Shenton-Stone – who has been in the role since 2018 – yesterday announced she would be standing in the general election.
She said there were ‘a number of projects’ that she wished to see through and that if re-elected she hoped to extend the parish green to incorporate a wetland area ‘following the generous gifting of parish land by two parishioners’.
She added that £83,000 in funding secured through the Roy Overland Charitable Trust would be used to refurbish the rectory barn to create a heritage amenity space – with additional financing to be sourced through donations to negate the cost to parish ratepayers.
‘I am delighted to announce that I will be standing again for Constable of St Martin. I have been deeply privileged to enjoy four highly successful years in this role and I am extremely proud of what has been accomplished during this often challenging period. However, there remain a number of projects that I wish to see through to further enhance the lives of parishioners and Islanders,’ she said.
During her time in the role, Mrs Shenton-Stone has overseen the refurbishment of the parish depot and the extension of the village tea rooms, secured funding for the La Vielle Êcole community facility through the unanimous approval of the States Assembly and is a founding member of the parish’s Climate Liaison Group.
She successfully brought an amendment to last year’s Government Plan setting aside £200,000 for a taskforce and research into sexual and domestic violence in the Island and has helped further protections for the Ecréhous and the Minquiers, among other things.
‘I am independent and committed to working for and representing all parishioners and Islanders, and I believe that my work so far demonstrates how you can successfully serve both the parish and the Assembly as a Constable, provided you are willing to work the long hours required. If re-elected I will seek to continue delivering a fairer, safer, greener, more accountable, and more inclusive Island,’ she added.
