Report calls for modernisation of parish system

A review of Jersey’s parish system has commended its deep-rooted traditions while finding that some elements are no longer fit for purpose and should be updated.

The Parishes and Government Review Panel concluded that although the island’s 12 parishes remain highly valued by residents, it is reasonable to expect their structures and operations to adapt to modern needs.

Deidre Mezbourian, Constable of St Lawrence, welcomed the findings, saying the proposed changes would help safeguard the parish system for the future.

Dating back to the 11th century, the parishes form the island’s primary tier of administration, overseeing services such as refuse collection, road maintenance and local community support.

Panel chair Helen Miles said the system should not be viewed as a relic, describing it as central to the island’s present-day life as well as its future. However, she stressed that respect for tradition should not prevent careful examination.

She noted that many of the legal and governance arrangements underpinning parish operations are historic and, in some instances, disjointed or outdated. Public expectations around openness, accessibility and accountability have changed, she added, and local institutions must keep pace.

The report also warned that some parishes face difficulties recruiting volunteers for the Honorary Police, a longstanding community-based force.

Among its recommendations are calls for greater consistency in shared services, improved transparency and public participation, clearer accountability in decision-making, and more structured communication between parish authorities and the central government.

Mezbourian, who has served as constable since 2005, said she supported the proposals, adding that while the parish model has served the island well for centuries, ongoing improvements are essential to ensure it continues to enhance community life for generations to come.