A review of the parish system and its relationship with the government has backed the identity, uniqueness and importance of the island’s 12 parishes – but has also proposed reform, including calling for a fresh look of the Rates Law and making the Constable’s Committee a legal entity.
The ad hoc backbench Parishes and Government Review Panel published its findings after scrutinising how the parochial system is working in 2026.
Although putting its weight firmly behind the parishes – with their unique responsibilities, including refuse collection, gun licensing and running their own volunteer police forces – the panel also found that many of the laws, governance arrangements and administrative frameworks that underpin parish functions were outdated “and no longer align with modern expectations of transparency, accessibility, consistency and accountability”.
Panel chair Deputy Helen Miles said: “The parishes remain a central part of Island life, delivering many of the essential services that residents depend on. The evidence we received consistently highlighted the strength of community commitment, particularly the dedication of volunteers who underpin so many parish-based services. That contribution is widely valued.
“At the same time, it is clear that some parishes are encountering increasing difficulty in recruiting individuals into key voluntary roles. The Honorary Police was frequently cited as an example: a service that provides significant public benefit yet is experiencing sustained recruitment pressures.”
She added: “The intention of this review was not to propose centralisation of the parish system. Rather, it was to identify practical opportunities for modernisation, promote the sharing of effective practice across parishes, and consider where government support could help ensure that essential services and strategic responsibilities are delivered without placing disproportionate strain on parish staff and volunteers.
“We recognise that the report has been published at the close of the current political term, and that many of its recommendations cannot realistically be progressed before the election on Sunday 7 June.
“It is therefore our expectation that the incoming Assembly, Ministers and the Comité des Connétables will use the panel’s findings as a considered basis for reform, enabling the parish system to remain a strong and relevant pillar of Jersey’s democratic framework.”
More to follow this week…