Constables: No new taxes to fund States' rates

Wednesday 22 November 2017

Jersey's constables are finally coming around to the idea that the States should pay rates on their buildings - but only if islanders’ taxes won’t go up to foot the bill.

The issue has been on the agenda for some decades now, but has faced numerous push-backs even though a majority of States Members – 38 to two - voted last year in favour of the States paying rates on public buildings.

St Helier Constable Simon Crowcroft, who has spearheaded the initiative in recent years, has brought the issue to the table yet again for Budget 2018, arguing that it was finally time for the States “to end the centuries-old unfairness whereby Parish Rates are lost when buildings have a public use.”

Pictured: Buildings like States headquarters Cyril Le Marquand House would be subject to the rates, if agreed by States Members.

Despite effectively vetoing the idea earlier this year, the island’s remaining 11 constables have now come on board - but only if the funding used to plug the rates gap doesn’t come from taxpayers.

In a report added to their comments on the budget amendment, the Comité des Connétables wrote: “…it has always been of the view that Connétables should not take money from ratepayers to enable States Departments to pay their rates, but rather Departments should regard rates as a utility bill and seek savings, or raise funds, to meet its liabilities. The funding should therefore come from the contingency budget or from departmental underspends.”

They added: “Discussion on this subject has lasted for decades – it is time to give effect to the recommendations of previous Steering Groups and Working Parties, and for the States to pay rates, parish and Island-wide, on its property."

Lead photo credit: Comité des Connétables