CREATING a population policy and building homes for young Islanders were among the topics discussed at the Grouville hustings this week.
Residents filled the parish hall on Wednesday evening to hear the views of candidates Mark Labey and Sarah Howard, who have both put themselves forward for the role of Constable.
The proceedings were led by incumbent John Le Maistre, who confirmed last year that he would not be seeking re-election.
Mr Labey – a former postman who is also the father of actor Jonny Labey – started by saying how Grouville’s parishioners had ‘strengthened’ his resolve on many topics during the campaign trail.
‘Their most passionate and vehement replies have reinforced my opinion of the terrible wasting of taxpayers’ money that has occurred in recent years,’ he said.
‘The hospital project, which I remember being introduced at least 20 years ago, has been a fiasco for all of those two decades, but in the last four years has become nothing less than a betrayal of the trust that the electorate and the taxpayer has given the States.
‘Other issues surround the planning process. The States have to decide, preferably without the use of countless UK consultants, whether to prevent our green and beautiful parish and countryside from being overdeveloped,’ he added, noting that he would ‘resist’ any greenfield developments in Grouville.
‘Parishioners are also concerned about the housing situation. The property prices have soared in recent years beyond the reach of the next generation of Islanders.
‘Young people who have been educated here, gone away and studied and want to bring their knowledge and skills back to the Island, are unable to start out on their own,’ he said.
‘This generation are leaving, or choosing not to return. Rental prices are forcing many others away too and adding to the chronic shortage of staff in all sectors.’
Opinions on other subjects, which Mr Labey said had been ‘expressed most passionately’ by parishioners on their doorsteps, included the recent closure of multiple hotels and the need to introduce some form of population control.
‘In the parish itself, I would strive to set up a more joined-up green-lane system to enable walkers, cyclists and families to enjoy the countryside in relative safety. If we as a parish are to reinforce our rural status, this is one of the ways this can be achieved,’ he said.
‘During lockdowns this was emphasised by the amazing number of walkers out exercising in our lanes. I would also campaign for us to have more sports facilities and play areas for pre-school children which are sadly lacking in the east of the Island.
‘Parents have told me of the mileage they have to take to take their children to activities and play areas, which are mostly situated the other side of the Tunnel,’ he added.
He also said he would ensure the parish ‘set an example to all’ by becoming carbon-neutral ‘as quickly as is feasibly possible’.
Mr Labey, who was once dubbed ‘the singing postman’ due to his involvement with Island drama and performance groups, told those in the room that ‘teamwork is at the heart of parish life.’
He is also the honorary treasurer of the Battle of Flowers Festival and has looked after the Gorey Common on behalf of the Chef Tenants du Fief de la Reine de Grouville for a number of years.
‘I have the honour of being the driver of the wonderful Grouville Battle of Flowers float every year and this requires a safe and steady pair of hands – I am hoping that I can provide the same safe hands for the parish of Grouville over the next four years and some basic common sense in the States,’ he added.
Ms Howard, who has over 30 years’ experience as a chartered accountant, said: ‘Walking around the parish talking to you has been extremely beneficial and I will continue to do this until 22 June. If successful in my campaign, I will be visible and accessible as Constable.
‘My decision to stand in this election came from three years’ work in our Grouville community – invigorating historic, democratic processes through parish assemblies. With attendances of more than 200 parishioners, the most recent successful requête [a centuries-old device which enables parishioners to demand a parish assembly be held] contributed to amendments to the Bridging Island Plan. In particular, to preserving Grouville’s important wetlands. That requête impassioned me to stand, creating this contested election, allowing your voice to be heard within our parish community in our Island,’ she added.
Ms Howard was among those who pushed for implementation of a strategy for Grouville to support carbon neutrality.
‘I intend to be a Constable for the whole parish, listening to all voices. In the remainder of this speech I will reflect your collective voice through my campaign aims,’ she said.
‘I hear you do want to participate in specialised working groups and larger parish assembly discussions. You want to stop the exodus of younger people. I hear you want to keep Grouville rural – it’s what makes it special; that you want to preserve and protect the parish wetlands through innovative carbon-offset schemes.
‘But I also hear that, if possible, you want homes for our younger people to get onto the important housing ladder. With schemes like shared-equity ownership tried and tested in Trinity, we may be able to encourage our younger professional families back to the Island,’ she added.
She also mentioned the desire for a population policy that would not limit economic growth – and the development of skills within the Island to make Jersey ‘self-sufficient [and] led by Jersey people’.
‘You’re concerned about the looming food and cost-of-living crisis. We must protect and enhance our agricultural land and sea bed, support our successful and innovative farmers and fishermen [and] experiment with soil and sea-bed revitalisation.’
Ms Howard noted that rising government expenditure was a concern, in addition to road safety, cycle routes and parking in Gorey among other things.
‘Through learning and growing together we will progress through times of crisis,’ she said.
One parishioner asked where housing could be built in the parish to support young Islanders.
Ms Howard said that housing was ‘the biggest issue’ being spoken about and that it needed short-, medium- and long-term solutions.
‘It’s complex and it’s difficult. We have got vacant houses that need to be filled and we probably don’t know how many houses we need across the Island because we don’t have a population policy – we do have census results now though,’ she said.
‘In the short-term we need to be filling vacant properties and understanding why they are vacant, then we need to be looking at how many houses we really do need and what type,’ she added.
Mr Labey said: ‘I believe there are housing developments we could be doing; I still believe there are brownfield sites in the parish [that could be developed] – I’ve identified a few and been to see them. Some of them may not be applicable but there are rotting greenhouses out there that are full of brambles.’
He added: ‘I also believe the States have a massive portfolio of properties that they should be releasing for our next generations.’
Another Islander asked how each candidate would approach the creation of a population policy.
Mr Labey said: ‘The housing and rental prices are actually doing that job for us right now because so many people are leaving – two people were actually moving house when I turned up.’
He added that he liked the idea of a ‘population register’ that listed who was in the Island and why.
Ms Howard said: ‘As Constable it’s important to represent the voice of the community, so we need to hear what your views are on a population policy – all sides of it – and we will shape that together.’
She added: ‘From that, a population proposition can be shaped by the States Chamber representing your views.’
