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STATES OF JERSEY
PARISH ASSEMBLIES:
INFORMATION PACK
Lodged au Greffe on 14th April 2011 by Deputy M. Tadier of St. Brelade
STATES GREFFE
2011 Price code: A P.60
PROPOSITION
THE STATES are asked to decide whether they are of opinion
to request the Comité des Connétable s to investigate the possibility of –
- creating a booklet which would be available to all parishioners in each parish by 1st September 2011 setting out, amongst other things –
- how a parish assembly works;
- what constitutes a parish assembly;
- how parishioners can add matters to an agenda;
- what they have to do toin the event that they want to call a parish assembly;
- how and whether propositions without prior notice may be made during a parish assembly;
- how and whether amendments may be submitted to a proposition;
- who may vote at a parish assembly;
(viii) a list of parish officials and how they are appointed/elected;
(ix) any further information relating to the operation of parish assemblies and the appointment of parochial officials that the Comité deems relevant;
- publishing a standardized set of recommended procedures for use in all 12 parishes, setting out how a parish assembly should be conducted.
DEPUTY M. TADIER OF ST. BRELADE
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REPORT This proposition is seconded by the following –
Deputy of St. Mary
Deputy of Grouville
Deputy R.C. Duhamel of St. Saviour Deputy P.V.F. Le Claire of St. Helier .
The parish system is something that is central to Island life, and the concept of parish assemblies which residents can attend, have their say and vote, is one of the purer and most direct forms of democracy; however, the reality is very different from theory. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link and a very real problem for parish halls, in the modern age, is engaging with parishioners. Clearly, there are many reasons for this, and some parishes will be more affected than others, but one reason is to do with a lack of public knowledge of how the system works. Even those familiar with the workings of the States may not be familiar with the democratic workings of the parish.
Similarly, each parish will have their own way of running meetings and their various protocols. While it is absolutely right that each parish has its own character, it also seems quite desirable that there should be a level of uniformity between parishes to provide certainty for Islanders, who may move between parishes several times in the course of their lives.
I believe that such information would be of benefit to residents as well as enhancing the parish system and allowing greater and more effective engagement with parishioners and encouraging greater participation in parish affairs.
Financial and manpower implications
There are no financial or manpower implications for the States arising from this proposition.
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