Ex-Senator narrowly lands field swap

Friday 26 April 2019

The former Treasury Minister has secured a field swap deal with St. Lawrence to improve the peace and privacy of his home - by just two votes.

Ex-Senator Alan Maclean successfully won over the busy Parish Hall last night following a close-run vote on the much-debated deal.

The deal proposed swapping Mr Maclean’s six vergée field elsewhere in the Parish with a four vergée one directly next to his house – owned by St. Lawrence. 

The exchange has been the subject of much debate amongst parishioners and delay, as the matter was adjourned back in September subject to an Independent Review of the land paid for by the ex-States Member.

Now, the St. Lawrence Parish Assembly has voted for the exchange 47 votes to 45 at a busy meeting last night. 

Pictured: The land swap was given the go ahead by a close-run vote at the Parish Hall last night (Twitter/Jasen Cronin).

Mr Maclean has always maintained that his interest in the neighbouring field is purely to improve the peace and privacy of his rural home.

The former Minister previously told Express that the neighbouring field “would add further protection for the future as we love the quiet rural situation and want to ensure it is never compromised with any building or unpleasant activities anywhere near us.”

Despite his assurances, many parishioners were sceptical about Mr Maclean’s intentions, with one resident asking at a previous Assembly whether the field will be protected by an agreement ensuring that the land isn’t developed either by the former politician or a future owner of the site.

Pictured: The vote took place at St. Lawrence's Parish Hall (Google Maps).

There was also talk about the land swap vote on social media, with Deputy of St. Lawrence Kirsten Morel seeing the turnout as a positive sign for Parish politics.

In a tweet, Deputy Morel wrote: “It’s a full house! It’s great to see so many people becoming involved in Parish life.”

Another parishioner, however, was more cynical about the matter, tweeting that Parish officials should have declared “their intention to vote” prior to the meeting commencing.

Final result 47 - 45! That's in favour of the land swap. Some really good contributions from parishioners, I hope we can continue to keep people interested in Parish politics.

— Kirsten Morel (@KirstenJersey) April 25, 2019

The tweet read: “47 in favour and 45 against.  Point of Order was made by the floor if the Procurers who are also the Tellers, and Ex-Officio should have voted without declaring their intention to vote before the assembly started?! The Vicar, & Procurers had official function and shouldn’t vote!” 

Express has contacted Mr Maclean for comment and is awaiting a response.