A PARISH Constable has defended a 9% rates hikes after what one parishioner described as a “hostile” meeting that saw a “great deal of unhappiness on both sides”.
Grouville held its Rates Assembly meeting this week – with proposals for a 13% increase.
Following a vote, a 9% rise in rates was ultimately agreed.
Constable Mark Labey said: “I appreciate that the proposed increase in the parish rate may come as a shock to some individuals and I do not take the decision to increase it lightly.
“It is important, however, to put the increase in context. Between 2010 and 2014, there was no increase in the rate at all. Since then, increases have generally been kept relatively small. While I have continued to do everything I can to keep the rate as low as possible, the reality is that the Parish now needs to address the gap that has built up over time.
“There are significant demands on the parish, including essential road repairs and larger projects that have been deferred for some time. At the same time, the parish faces inflationary pressures beyond what households experience due to higher increases in material and operational costs.”
Rates changes are based on the March RPI, which was 2.7% this year. St Helier, St Martin and St Ouen opted to raise rates by less than that to ease cost-of-living pressures.
Parishioners had expressed concern about the rise online, with one commenter calling it “crazy”, while another said it was “not economical or affordable” for most households.
Peter Hargreaves, a Grouville parishioner who attended the meeting, said the atmosphere was “hostile”. He added that the decision was “very, very divisive. There was a great deal of unhappiness on both sides.”
Mr Labey wrote in the message that he hoped “by taking these difficult steps now, we can avoid leaving a similar situation for whoever takes on the role of Constable in the future.”
