How many Parishes are there in Jersey

There are twelve parishes in Jersey varying in area and population but each having a similar parochial structure. Details of the parochial structure and services provided by your Parish may be found on this website.

The business of the Parish is conducted at a Parish Assembly at which electors and principals of the Parish are entitled to vote. All Parish Assemblies are advertised in the boîte grillée [a notice board adjacent to the Parish Church], the Jersey Gazette and details may be found on the Parish page within this website. The Connétable presides over the Parish Assembly.

An Ecclesiastical Assembly is held to consider matters relating to the Parish Church and will be presided over by the Rector. The Assembly will be advertised in the boîte grillée [a notice board adjacent to the Parish Church], the Jersey Gazette and details may be found on the Parish page within this website.

The Connétable or Rector will usually call a meeting of the Parish or Ecclesiastical Assembly respectively. The business of the Assembly will be stated in the convening notice and, except for matters of public safety, at least two days notice is given of all Assemblies. However, a Parish Assembly will be convened by the Connétable if requested to do so in writing by four or more principals of the Parish - the request must be dated and must state the subject for which the meeting is required.

Jersey Gazette

Notices of Parish meetings are published in the Jersey Gazette in the Jersey Evening Post. These notices can also be viewed on www.thisisjersey.com selecting Jersey Gazette.

Parish Municipality

Each of the twelve parishes in Jersey has the same municipal framework and officers. The heritage of Jersey is built on the parishes and the tradition of 'honorary' service to the community. It is important that this valuable tradition continues and the Connétable welcomes the opportunity to discuss with parishioners the various honorary positions available through which members of the parish may contribute to parish life. Officers take an oath of office before the Royal Court or the Ecclesiastical Court in the case of the Churchwardens and Almoners and the Rector is inducted to the Parish.

Connétable - the elected head of the Parish is the Connétable and, in addition to his/her municipal duties, the Connétable represents parishioners' views in the States [Jersey's government] where he/she has a seat together with the Senators and Deputies. A public election is held every three years and, with the exception of St Helier, the Connétable must live in the Parish. The Connétable of St Helier must either live in the Parish or be a ratepayer of St Helier. If the Connétable ceases to fulfil this qualification he must resign from office. The role of Connétable dates back to at least 1462.

Honorary Police - persons living in the Parish, or in the case of St Helier who are ratepayers of the Parish, may be elected as Centenier, Vingtenier or Constable's Officer for a period of 3 years. Further details are provided under 'Honorary Police'.

Procureur du Bien Public - there are two Procureurs for each Parish and they are elected for a three year term by the Parish Assembly. Their duty is to act as public trustees i.e. they maintain an oversight of Parish finances and represent the Parish along with the Connétable [and, when appropriate, with the Rector and Churchwardens] in respect of property transactions of the Parish.

Rector - the Rector is appointed by the Crown to the Parish Church and, in some Parishes, this includes responsibility for another Anglican Church within the Island.

Churchwarden [Surveillant] - two Churchwardens are elected each year by the Ecclesiastical Assembly.

Almoner - two Almoners are elected each year by the Ecclesiastical Assembly to assist the Churchwardens.

Roads Committee - the Connétable presides over the Roads Committee which also includes the Rector and three Principals of the Parish [five Principals for St Helier] elected for a term of three years by the Parish Assembly in accordance with the Loi (1914) sur la Voirie. The Roads Committee superintends the repair and maintenance of by-roads in the Parish.

Roads Inspectors - the Parish Assembly elects two Roads Inspectors for each Vingtaine [or Cueillette in St Ouen] for a three-year term of office in accordance with the Loi (1914) sur la Voirie. Roads Inspectors are responsible for the repair of by-roads of the Parish and have to ensure the instructions of the Roads Committee are carried out.

Rate Assessment Committee - consists of five members [between 7 and 12 members for St Helier] elected by the Parish Assembly for a three-year term to assess the rateable value of property in accordance with the Rates (Jersey) Law 2005.

Registrar - is elected by the Parish Assembly and is responsible for maintaining the registers of births, marriages and deaths in the Parish.

Each year a committee is elected at a Parish Assembly to consider the Connétable's accounts prior to their submission to the Parish Assembly. Parishes are also represented in the States Assembly by Deputies, elected either by the whole Parish or, in the case of St Helier, St Saviour and St Brelade by districts within the Parish. The 'Rectorate' comprises the Connétable and Procureurs, and the Rector and Churchwardens.

The Comité des Connétables comprises the twelve Parish Connétables who meet on a regular basis to discuss items of concern which affect all the Parishes. The Comité has an office at East Wing RJA&HS, Route de la Trinité, Trinity, JE1 1SB [telephone 767555; fax 767666] or the Secretary may be contacted by e-mail sr.degruchy@gov.je. The Comité is not a statutory Committee of the States Assembly but the Supervisory Committee, which also comprises the twelve Connétables, is a statutory committee under the Rate Law [for further details see 'Rates Information'].

Many services in Jersey are delivered by the Parish through the Parish Hall [or Town Hall in St Helier]. Details of refuse collections, Visite du Branchage, Welfare and many other services are available from your Parish Hall. You will need to apply to the Parish in which you currently reside for various licences such as a driving licence, dog licence, electoral registration and a firearm certificate. A business might need to contact the Parish in which it is located for a fireworks licence [for retail sale], liquor licence or a Sunday Trading permit and to nominate a 'mandataire' to represent it at Parish Assemblies [see Rates Information]. Hawkers' [non-resident traders] licences may be obtained from the Town Hall in St Helier.

All Parish Halls hold stocks of various application forms and you may find it more convenient to collect forms from your Parish Hall than from the relevant States department in St Helier. In addition, copies of some forms may be downloaded from this site. Parish Online Application Forms

There are many opportunities to become more actively involved within your Parish and, in so doing, to contribute to the life of your community and Island. The 'Parish municipality' lists various positions within the Parish required by law and the Connétable welcomes enquiries from those who wish to find out more about these honorary posts. Organisations connected with the Parish are also listed in 'Clubs and Associations' and contact details are given so that you may obtain further details of the organisation's work and activities.

I live in Jersey and want to know about activities in my Parish - where can I find details?

Clubs and Associations connected with a Parish are listed on this website and you will also find local news, details of forthcoming events and other information. General information on events in Jersey can be found on sites such as www.outinjersey.com

The following Parishes have twinned with communes or towns in Normandy, France and St Helier has also twinned with Bad Wurzach in

Germany

. Further details of activities may be found on the individual Parish sites.

          St Brelade - Granville
          St Clement - Cancale
          Grouville - Port-Bail
          St Helier - Avranches, France, Bad Wurzach, Germany and
                          Funchal, Portugal
          St John - Le Teilleul
          St Lawrence – Barneville-Carteret
          St Martin - Montmartin sur Mer
          St Mary - Longues sur Mer
          St Ouen - Coutances
          St Peter – St Hilaire du Harcouët
          St Saviour - Villedieu les Poeles
          Trinity – Agon Coutainville

In addition to the statutory committees, some Parishes may have other groups for specific projects. An example is the Floral Committees in St Helier and St Saviour which consist of volunteers from various sectors of the community who meet to discuss community projects of an environmental nature. The quality of life of residents and making the parishes a nicer place to live is very important to the Parishes and more volunteers are always welcome. The Parishes also welcome sponsorship, especially 'corporate sponsorship', towards the 'greening' of St Helier and St Saviour. For more information on how you or your business can be involved please contact the St Helier Floral Co-ordinator on tel: 811811 or St Saviour's Parish Hall on tel: 735864. These committees are actively involved in the annual

Britain

in Bloom competition and only with your support can we succeed.

Junior, infant and nursery schools under the administration of the Education Committee are located in each Parish. Children of secondary school age will attend a school based on the catchment area. There are also a number of private schools in Jersey. For details of the school age and entry requirements and of private schools please refer to the Education Committee website www.jeron.je or www.thisisjersey.com/education/

All owners and occupiers of property within the Parish are liable for Parish Rates. Full details may be found on the Rates Information page on this website.

Welfare - has been replaced by Income Support. Please refer to www.gov.je for details (select 'Social Benefits').

The Loi (1914) sur la Voirie imposes a duty on all occupiers of property to ensure that encroachments are removed from the public highway. A Visite du Branchage takes place in each Parish twice a year to check that occupiers of houses and land bordering on public roads have undertaken the 'branchage'. The first Visite is during the first fortnight of July and the second is during the first fortnight of September. Details of the dates for Visites are advertised on the Parish page on this website and also in the Jersey Gazette.

On the Visite du Branchage On the Visite du Branchage the Connétable, assisted by the members of the Roads Committee and the Centeniers, will visit the roads of his parish accompanied by the Vingteniers in their respective Vingtaines to ensure that the branchage has been completed. Occupiers of land may be fined up to £50 for each infraction unless -

If the branchage has not been completed the occupier will be required to undertake the work and, if it is not carried out, the Parish may arrange for the work to be done and charge the occupier the cost of that work. The Visite du Branchage applies to all public roads including main roads, by-roads and footpaths.

A Visite Royale occurs in a Parish once every six years. The Royal Court will visit the Parish to inspect the Parish and roads accounts and will judge on matters relating to public roads and footpaths brought to its attention by the parish. The Parishes to be visited in future years are -

2012 - St Helier and St Brelade	2015 - St Saviour and St John
2013 - St Clement and St Ouen	2016 - Grouville and St Peter
2014 - St Lawrence and St Martin	2017 - St Mary and Trinity

I hope to visit Jersey and want to know where I can stay and of activities available.

The Jersey Tourism website will give details of places to stay in Jersey and of various forthcoming events. You can also refer to pages on this website such as 'Forthcoming events' and 'local news'.

Jersey has many wonderful beaches that are there for the enjoyment of all. Please take care when using the beach and consider other users - please leave nothing but your footprint on the beaches!

Sand and stone may not be removed from the beach without permission of the Harbours and Airport Committee issued under the Sea Beaches (Removal of Sand and Stone) (Jersey) Law 1963.

Permission is required under the Policing of Beaches Regulations for certain activities/events held on the beach including -

In the first instance you should contact the Parish Hall or Tourism Department for advice.

Jersey has some of the largest range of tides in the world and details of current tide times may be found at www.jersey-harbours.com or www.thisisjersey.com/noticeboard (select Tide Table). Please take care on the beach and at sea - there are dangerous tidal flows on many parts of the coast.

The States, through the Public Services Committee, is responsible for main roads. The Parish is responsible for the upkeep of by-roads within the Parish. A by-road may only be shut to traffic with the permission of the Connétable. No structure may be placed on/over a road without the permission of the Connétable - this includes scaffolding, hoarding and banners hung over a road etc. and application for a permit should be made to the Connétable of the Parish. Some roads may be privately owned or administered by another authority such as the Housing Committee - for further information please check with your Parish Hall.

Within Jersey a number of lanes have been designated by Parishes as 'green lanes'. These are generally tree-lined lanes which are particularly attractive or of great character and antiquity. The aim is to maintain the quiet, unspoilt and natural character of the countryside for people to enjoy as a leisure amenity where walkers, cyclists and horse riders, not the car, have priority. The speed limit on these lanes is 15 miles an hour. Some 40 miles of roads have now been designated 'green lanes' and further information on walking/cycling routes may be found on www.jersey.com

Parking restrictions operate in most public parking areas. Please check the notices for current charges and time limits. Public car parks require the use of scratch cards or a parking disc to display time of arrival. In some areas these charges also apply to Sundays and Bank Holidays. Scratch cards may be purchased for a specific time 'unit'. A time 'unit' may vary from 20 minutes in the centre of St Helier to 2 hours at La Collette but is usually for one hour. Some car parks have a time limit of three hours but the time limit in other areas, such as roadside parking, varies from 20 minutes to six hours. Please check notices when you park. Scratch cards should have the day and date of your arrival displayed together with the time of your arrival. If you use more than one card e.g. to cover parking for 2 hours, both cards should display the same arrival time. A parking disc may be used as an alternative in some parking areas and this should be set to show your arrival time. If you do not have a parking disc, which is reusable, you should use the scratch cards. You can obtain the parking regulations from the Town Hall in St Helier, the Tourism Office and Public Services Department www.planning.gov.je

A list of the parking available in St Helier may be viewed here

Adobe Acrobat is needed to view the file.

If you fail to display a valid parking disc or scratch card when you park, or if you do not move your car when the parking period has expired, you may receive a parking fine. You should pay the fine immediately and full instructions are printed on the notice you receive. If you have a query or wish to dispute the fine please see further information under Honorary Police.

Parking badges for disabled drivers are available from the Town Hall - application forms may be obtained from and should be returned to the Town Hall, St Helier. The blue disabled badge permits you to park in any public car park and to park on specially designated 'disabled driver' parking areas in St Helier and elsewhere [please see notices at individual sites for length of time]. The blue badge is also recognised in other European countries.

Provisional and full driving licences are issued by the Parish in which you are ordinarily resident. If you change your name or address you must notify your Parish immediately.

Driving licence application forms are available from all Parish Halls and should be returned to the Parish Hall together with the relevant documents and fee [cheques made payable to the 'Parish of St.John'].

A driving licence is issued for particular categories of vehicle www.dvs.gov.je. (select driving tests).

The minimum age for a driving licence is 16 years for category P [moped] and 17 years for other categories. However, to apply for a category A licence [heavy motorcycle] you must have held a full licence for category A1 [light motorcycle] for at least 12 months. You must be 21 years of age to apply for category C licence [heavy goods vehicle] or for a Public Service Vehicle licence to drive a passenger vehicle. An application for a driving licence may only be made once you attain the appropriate age.

Provisional licence - is valid for six months and costs £15. One colour passport size photograph, matching the criteria outlined below, is required. The first application must be made in person at the Parish Hall. A second provisional licence MAY be granted PROVIDED the applicant can show s/he has attempted to take the appropriate driving test [theory or driving test] in that period. A provisional licence for a moped or light motorcycle licence [or a heavy motorcycle licence following a period of disqualification] will not be valid until you obtain a certificate to confirm that you have successfully completed Compulsory Basic Training [CBT] - for further details of CBT click here.

Driving licence - is valid for ten years and costs £40. One colour passport size photograph, matching the criteria outlined below, is required. You must enclose your last driving licence or your provisional licence and pass certificate.

Photographs - the criteria for photographs matches that used for passport applications.

A medical report may be required for certain applicants and must be submitted by -

Any driver making a first application for a category C or category D licence.

A person aged over 45 years on the date of application who is applying to renew a category C licence [large goods vehicle]; C+E [articulated vehicle] and/or D [large passenger carrying vehicle].

A person whose medical condition has worsened since their last driving licence was granted or who suffers from certain medical conditions [see application form].

Full valid driving licences [not provisional licences] from the following countries may be surrendered in exchange for a Jersey driving licence [details correct at March 2007 – please check with your Parish Hall if you have a query]. If you do not hold a licence from one of these countries you must sit the prescribed driving test [theory and practical].

Alderney, Austria, Barbados, Belgium, British Virgin Islands, Cyprus, Denmark, Falkland Islands, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland, Isle of Man, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Northern Territories of Australia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Quebec, Singapore, Switzerland, United Kingdom.

If you have lost your driving licence, or your licence has been stolen, destroyed or defaced, a duplicate licence may be issued but you will have to complete a declaration form and pay the full fee. The duplicate licence will be valid for the same period as that of the licence which it replaces.

The Dogs (Jersey) Law 1961 requires any person with a dog to obtain a licence each year for each dog they keep. A licence is not required for a dog under the age of six months or for a guide dog kept and used solely by a blind person or a deaf person. Applications for a dog licence may be downloaded from this website and should be forwarded to the Parish in which you reside by 31st January each year. Details of each dog for which a licence is required must be specified and the fee is £5.00 per dog. Late applications [received after 31st January] will incur a fee of £10.00 per dog. Dog owners are responsible for their dogs. In particular –

If you find a stray dog you should check for a collar to identify the owner’s name and address and then contact the owner to arrange for the dog to be collected. If you are unable to contact the owner you should contact the Duty Centenier of the Parish. If a dog has to be collected and/or housed whilst the owner is traced by the Honorary Police the owner is responsible for paying all costs incurred.

The Firearms (Jersey) Law 2000 requires all owners of firearms and ammunition to hold a valid firearm certificate. Owners of shotguns are also required to hold a firearms certificate. The only exemptions at present are air weapons designed for use under water and air weapons with a muzzle energy of less than one foot-pound. A firearms certificate is also required for ammunition for a firearm [this does not include cartridges containing five or more shot, none of which exceeds .23 of an inch in diameter, ammunition for an air weapon, and blank cartridges not exceeding one inch in diameter measured immediately in front of the rim or cannelure of the base of the cartridge - please ask for further details if you are unsure].

A firearm certificate is granted by the Connétable of the Parish in which you reside. Application forms for the grant or renewal of a firearm certificate, available from the Parish Hall, should be completed and returned to the Parish Hall together with three passport-size photographs of the applicant, the relevant fee and forms from two referees who know the applicant [these forms are also available from the Parish Halls]. Only certain persons may act as a referee - please refer to the forms for details. A firearm certificate is valid for five years and costs £35.00.

If you hold a valid firearm certificate and wish to vary the firearms or ammunition you are permitted to hold you must apply for a variation to your certificate - application forms are available from the Parish Hall and the charge for a variation [if the total number of firearms increases] is £15.00. There is no charge if you are reducing the number of firearms held.

The holder of a firearm certificate must comply with all conditions imposed including -

The Explosives (Jersey) Law 1970 regulates the importation, manufacture, storage, use, conveyance, sale, purchase, transfer, acquisition and possession of explosives. In relation to fireworks, no person shall sell fireworks by retail except in accordance with a licence granted to him by the Connétable of the Parish in which the place from which the fireworks are sold is situated.

Application forms are available from the Parish Hall or may be downloaded from this website and should be returned to the Parish Hall together with the fee of £15.00. The licence is valid for one year only expiring on 31st December and is subject to certain conditions [outlined on the application form and licence]. In particular the retail sale of fireworks is only permitted for a limited period (usually 8 days up to 5th November) and the sale of certain types of fireworks is prohibited.

The Parish of St Helier issues Hawkers' licences on behalf of the Finance and Economics Committee. A licence remains valid until 31st December and the fee is depends upon the class of hawker's or non-resident trader's licence. For further details about the class of licence, restrictions on goods sold and times of sale please contact the Town Hall, St Helier [telephone 811811].

Sunday trading permits [includes Good Friday, Liberation Day [9th May], and Christmas Day]

The Shops (Regulation of Opening and Deliveries) (Jersey) Law 2010 and the Shops (Regulation of Opening) (Jersey) Regulations 2011 controls the opening of shops on Sundays and this includes Good Friday, Liberation Day (9th May), Christmas Day and 26th December. A shop may not open for business on these days unless a permit has been granted. An application for a permit should be made to the Connétable of the Parish in which the business is situated together with the fee of £50.00. Application forms are available from the Parish Halls or may be downloaded and the permit expires on 31st December.
A general permit may be granted for a shop where the retail sales area does not exceed 700 square metres. A single permit to open on up to 5 specified days may be granted for a shop where the retail sales area exceeds 700 square metres. Full details of the scheme and the application forms are available under ‘Application Forms’.

Places of refreshment must be registered with the Tourism Committee in accordance with the Places of Refreshment (Jersey) Law 1967. Registered places of refreshment may not open for the serving of customers on a Sunday, Good Friday or Christmas Day unless the Connétable of the parish in which the premises are situated has granted a permit authorizing the proprietor to open the premises. Written application should be made to the Connétable of the parish and must be accompanied by the fee of £15.00.

Applications for the grant of a liquor licence are made to the Treasurer of the States and are then forwarded to the Parish as the Connétable must convene a Parish Assembly to enable parishioners to comment on the application. The comments made at the Parish Assembly are conveyed to the Licensing Assembly who will determine the application. Any parishioner who speaks at a Parish Assembly on a licence application may then address the Licensing Assembly on that application. A liquor licence is granted for one year and will expire on 24th December.

An application to renew a liquor licence for a further period of one year must be made to the Treasurer of the States between 5th October and 5th November inclusive. Applications to renew a liquor licence are not referred to a Parish Assembly.

Where a licensed manager is required for the premises, or there is to be a change of manager, the company concerned is advised to consult with their legal representative who will then inform the Connétable of the details so the relevant formalities may be completed.

Under the Highways (Jersey) Law 1956 a licence is required before any thing may be placed below, on or above any highway. This includes scaffolding, hoardings, etc and application should be made to the Connétable of the Parish in which the highway is situated. Completed applications forms should be submitted together with a detailed risk assessment and method statement and the fee of £25.00 at least 7 days prior to the date you wish to commence work.

A road may not be closed, or its use restricted, other than with the prior permission of the Connétable of the Parish. Applications should be submitted at least 7 days prior to the requested date of closure/restriction together with the appropriate fee. Road closures may not be permitted during the months of May to September inclusive due to seasonal restrictions.

Application for permission to use part of the highway as business premises e.g. for al fresco eating, must be made to the Connétable of the Parish. Permission may be granted for a specified area, as detailed on a plan of the area, to be used by customers subject to the approval also of the Planning and Environment Committee from whom the applicant should obtain permission. Conditions and a Code of Conduct will apply to all permits issued and failure to comply with the conditions and Code may result in the permit being withdrawn without notice. The conditions and Code may be viewed with the application form section on the Parish website.

Application forms that may be downloaded for completion and returned to the Parish Hall.

Change of address notification [driving licence]

Chose publique

Dog licence

Electoral registration

Hawkers licence

Rate forms including Review and Appeal applications

Places of refreshment permit

Retail sale of fireworks

Request for road closure/restriction

Scaffolding/hoarding permit

Sunday trading permit

Because of the format, the following cannot be included and should be collected from your Parish Hall