St Helier ratepayers approve cost of living rise in Parish Rates for the coming year

At last night’s Parish Rates Assembly, attended by approximately 60 people, the Constable of St Helier presented St Helier’s Parish Accounts and Estimates for the coming year to ratepayers. The Annual Report and Accounts (available online at sthelier.je) were adopted by the Assembly, which went on to consider proposed expenditures and projects for the year ahead. This included a full programme of road improvements and two new playgrounds to be created in Parade Gardens at a cost of £750,000. On the Constable’s recommendation, the Assembly agreed to set up a Reserve Fund for the planned Neighbourhood Improvement Area Scheme and approved an initial £490,000 to be allocated to it. This is a little over half the amount required for the Parish’s first major improvement project. The Assembly also set a clear expectation that the Government should be required to honour previous promises to contribute to the costs of improving St Helier’s residential areas.

The new Rate of 1.32 pence per quarter was unanimously agreed, a rise of 5.6% from the previous year. Ratepayers were informed that this would mean an approximate increase of £5.80 per year for the occupier rates of a one-bedroom flat, and £22.37 per year for an owner/occupier of a three-bedroomed dwelling.

The Parish Assembly also elected an Accounts Committee, to meet quarterly to examine the financial affairs of the Parish during the coming year, and renewed Alex Picot as Parish auditor. The Constable thanked Stewart Mourant, MBE, who has retired from the Municipality after nearly 40 years of service, as well as the late Mr Don Perrier, who left a legacy for the benefit of the residents of the Parish’s Care Home, St Ewold’s.