He says there is a danger that the planned Conseil des Connétables will become an unaccountable ‘government’ in its own right – fears similar to those expressed by Sir Philip Bailhache in a letter to the president of Policy and Resources last week.’I think the Bailiff was not only entitled to make his point but that he was 100 per cent correct,’ said the Deputy.He said that concerns over the accountability of the Constables and their power to set Islandwide rates were raised by him and others at the St John consultation meeting hosted by the steering group which has put forward the proposals.’I hope that the group took on board our fears then and are taking on board what the Bailiff has said now, rather than just reacting angrily and claiming Sir Philip was too late to intervene.’Deputy Rondel is urging the steering group, which is chaired by Deputy David Crespel, to radically rethink their recommendations to include scrutiny of the Constables and to ensure that power still rests with parish assemblies to set the rates in their own parish.’As far as I’m concerned these proposals need an awful lot of extra work and unless there is proper scrutiny they’ll become the Island’s 14th government, after the parishes and the States.
There will be no accountability whatsoever,’ he said.The steering group is due to report to Policy and Resources next month with its final report.
Meanwhile the latest edition of the Jersey Law Review also includes criticism of the proposals.Written by lawyers, and with Sir Philip as editor, the review makes many of the same points about power being taken from the parishes and the Conseil des Connétables being unaccountable.’This democratic deficit needs careful consideration,’ it concludes.Sir Philip’s letter to Senator Walker is published in full in the letters section of this website.
