Wetlands pledge as St. Martin Constable seeks re-election

Tuesday 19 April 2022

The Constable of St. Martin has pledged to extend the Parish Green and incorporate a wetland area and continue to work towards a “fairer, safer, greener, more accountable, and more inclusive island” should she be re-elected.

Karen Shenton-Stone was first elected to the leading parish role in 2018, and shortly after secured funding for the La Vielle Êcole community facility through the unanimous approval of the States Assembly, with the facility now hosting Marks and Spencer, Mercury Distribution, St. Martin Pharmacy, St. Martin Surgery, and Jersey Village Vets as tenants.

Outside of parish life, she has served on numerous States Assembly Scrutiny Panels, including being Vice-Chair of the Public Accounts Committee, which examines the spending of taxpayers' money, and the Privileges and Procedures Committee, which is responsible for the running of the States Assembly, and the Executive Committee of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association.

During her four years as a States Member, she has placed particular focus on environmental and equality-related matters, having co-founded the Parishes Climate Liaison Group, sought greater protection for Les Ecréhous and Les Minquiers, and looked to introduce actions to limit the island's use of Palm Oil.

Constable Shenton-Stone, who also served on the Gender Pay Gap Review Panel, also successfully secured funding to create a task force for women's safety via a States Assembly proposition and has worked to enhance the island's democracy through greater transparency of political donations and electoral reform.

While she is yet to publish a manifesto, she says that, if re-elected, she hopes "to continue to enhance Parish life by extending the Parish Green to incorporate a wetland area following the generous gifting of Parish land by two parishioners".

Constable Shenton-Stone also pledges to "use a gift of £83,000 she has secured in funding to refurbish the Rectory Barn to create a heritage amenity space for parishioners and islanders". She says that work on this has already begun and that any further funding will be sought through donations to negate the cost to parish ratepayers.

Officially confirming her re-election bid today, she commented: "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."

The Constable added: "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 Connétable, 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."

The election is set to take place in June.