Parish Assembly (Jersey)

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A Parish Assembly in Jersey is the decision-making body of local government, comprising ratepayers (including mandataires) and electors of the parish.

The Parish Assembly:

• sets the annual domestic rate according to the budget proposed by the Connétable;
• elects members of the municipality, including the Roads Committee, Roads Inspectors, Vingteniers, Constable's Officers;
• recommends liquor licences to the licensing bench;
• adopts road names;
• authorises the Procureurs du Bien Public to enter into contracts in the name of the parish;
• may discuss other matters as proposed by the Connétable, or at the written request of a number of members of the Assembly

[edit] Municipal structure

Each parish is headed by a Constable (French: Connétable; Jèrriais: Connêtabl'ye) who is elected for a three year period by the residents of the Parish.

The Constable is assisted in all matters by a Parish Municipality which consists of two Procureurs du Bien Public. A Roads Committee of five elected principals is also available to offer advice on a range of issues; chiefly related to the roads. Centeniers are the highest ranking police officers in Jersey and are elected.

The Parish is further divided into Vingtaines (or in Saint Ouen cueillettes). Each vingtaine is represented by two Vingteniers, two Roads Inspectors and three Constable's Officers. All are elected and sworn officers of the Royal Court.

Supplementary bodies are also elected to serve specific needs; in the largest parish St Helier these include; the Accounts Committee, the Welfare Board, and the Youth Council.

Matters of import are brought before a gathering of the municipality and members of the public for consideration and vote.

In order to maintain the historic ties to the Church of England a Rectorate comprising the Connétable and Procureurs, and the Rector and Churchwardens. Overseas the operation of the largest church within the Parochial boundary.