Report of parish meeting now published

Two that prompted particular discussion at the earlier March meeting were donations made to the parish schools to help with buying books and whether the douzaine should use ratepayers' money to install solar panels at the douzaine room as part of a "green" initiative. 

The full minute can be found here and the issues were fully debated by the 60 electors and ratepayers who attended and decisions reached on these and other matters.

School books
Historically, all parishes have made a contribution to the island schools since the end of the Occupation and the Vale has given to the Vale Primary School, St Sampson's High School, Haute Capelles Primary School and La Mare de Carteret Primary School. 

After discussion, a majority favoured continuing making a donation to the primaries and Le Murier School only.

Solar panels
As part of keeping the condition of the douzaine rooms under review, the douzaine earlier considered whether there was a case for installing solar panels and an indicative price of around £60,000 was obtained. This and some of the arguments – covered in the official minutes – were considered but parishioners have asked the douzaine to return to this again in five years' time.

Meanwhile, quotes are to be obtained for installing better, energy-saving insulation in or on the property.

Cemetery bins
The decision by the Cemetery Committee to remove bins for a trial period was discussed and it was agreed that notices should be placed at the cemetery asking people to leave any green waste on the compost site but take home with them any actual rubbish, such as flower wrappings etc.

Parishioner meetings
With monthly deputies' meetings having been stopped as a result of island-wide voting, the douzaine was asked it it would consider holding them with douzeniers instead of deputies. Senior Constable Richard Leale said that will be discussed and could be tested for a trial period.

An update on this will be provided later.