Douzenier or Constable
keeping your parish thriving and beautiful
What does the parish do?
The Parish
Each of the ten parishes in Guernsey is administered by two elected Constables. They are supported and monitored by an elected council of residents called the Douzaine.
Together the Constables and the Douzeniers aim to promote a thriving local community.
The Constables are responsible by law for the day-to-day administration of the parish, assisted by a small team of parish staff.
Douzeniers are representatives of the parishioners and are responsible for the vision and direction of the parish and the transparency of its affairs. In most parishes there are 12 Douzeniers, as the name “Douzaine” suggests. But the Vale has 16 and St Peter Port has 20.
Douzeniers and Constables are volunteers. The parish staff are employed by the Constables on behalf of the parish.
Parish responsibilities
The responsibilities of the parish are numerous. Here’s a selection:
- collecting the parish rates and ensures the funds are well spent
- promoting and enhancing the assets of the parish
- maintaining parish property
- giving feedback on local planning applications
- inspecting hedges, streams and dangerous roads and walls
- collecting household refuse
- issuing liquor and other licences to local businesses
- signposting parishioners to the right States committee
In addition, there are optional projects, such as
- producing a parish magazine
- taking part in Floral Guernsey
- campaigning for new services
Links to the States
Douzaines are the link between the parish and the States of Guernsey.
Historically, Constables and Douzeniers met with parish Deputies before States meetings to give feedback on the items in the latest Billet on behalf of parishioners. But these regular meetings have stopped now that general elections are island-wide, although parish officials still receive copies of Billet items.
Some parishes previously organised parish surgeries where members of the public could meet with their local Deputies. But now the focus is more on drop-in sessions where parishioners can raise issues with parish officials.
What do Douzeniers and Constables do?
Responsibilities
The main commitment for a Douzenier is the monthly meeting of the Douzaine – called by the Senior Constable – to discuss parish affairs. Several parishes publish summary minutes of these meetings. For example, Vale and St Peter Port.
Douzeniers also assist the Constables in caring for the parish. For example, Douzeniers check the hedges and streams in their canton (sub-division of the parish) in June and September.
Douzeniers may also be asked to focus on a particular aspect of the work of the Douzaine, or join a specific sub-committee. A sub-committee might produce the parish magazine or organise the parish’s contribution to Floral Guernsey.
The two Constables are the executive officers of the parish and have a more extensive and hands-on role, in conjunction with the parish staff. They are responsible for the collection of parish taxes and accounting for how those funds are spent. They make sure parish assets like the Douzaine Room and the parish cemeteries are well maintained. They are the point of contact for the States and for the media.
Constables are ‘summoned’ to the ancient Court of Chief Pleas once a year, attend an annual Chief Pleas dinner with the Bailiff and the Lieutenant-Governor and are invited to a Garden Party at Government House for the Queen’s Birthday.
Working in partnership
All of the island’s Constables have an informal meeting twice a year, to share experiences.
There is also a Douzaine Council that brings together Douzenier representatives from across the island.
Liaison between the States and the parish is via the Douzaine Liaison Council, chaired by Deputy Heidi Soulsby.
How do you get elected?
Vacancies
Each Douzenier is elected for four years. Terms are staggered so there will be at least three seats up for election each year (four in Vale and five in St Peter Port), plus opportunities to take the place of anyone who has stepped down before the end of their term. There are no restrictions on re-standing so seats may be vacant or you may be running against a current Douzenier who wants to stand again.
Constables are elected by law for a three year term but the convention in many parishes is to only serve for two of those years – one as Junior Constable and one as Senior Constable. Again, there are no restrictions on re-standing.
Contact your parish office to find out what elections are coming up.
Nominations
To stand for election as a Douzenier or Constable, you must be proposed by two people who live in the parish and are on the electoral roll. You don’t need to wait to be asked – if you want to stand, just find two people in the parish who would be happy to sign your nomination form. They don’t need to be VIPs. Ideally, one of your proposers will be willing to make a short speech at the next parish meeting explaining why you are a good candidate.
Nomination forms are available on some parish websites or in person from the parish office. Nominations open three to four weeks before the election and completed nomination forms must be received seven working days prior.
Elections
The main elections take place in November, although there may be additional elections at other times of year if someone steps down before the end of their term of office or a seat has not been filled at the main election.
Initially, nominations for the main election are considered at a parish meeting on the first Wednesday in November. At the beginning of the meeting the parishioners in attendance are given the opportunity to decide whether they will elect the Douzeniers and Constables themselves at the meeting or whether the election should be deferred for two weeks. Deferral gives time for a polling station(s) to be set up so that all of the people on the electoral roll in the parish to have the opportunity to take part. At least seven parishioners must raise their hands for the election to be deferred.
All stages of the election process are announced in the Gazette Officielle (published at the back of the Guernsey Press and online).
After election, Constables and Douzeniers are sworn in by the Royal Court.
Eligibility
To be eligible to be a Douzenier or Constable you must live in the parish, be on the electoral roll, be at least 18 years old and have lived in Guernsey for the previous two years (or for periods adding up to at least five years in total). You must not have had a prison sentence of more than six months in the previous five years. Jurats of the Royal Court are not eligible but Deputies are.
More detail
What skills do you need?
Douzenier
Douzeniers are meant to represent their community so they can come from all walks of life. The more diversity the better so that there are a variety of voices around the table, fully representing the parish.
The main skill you need is a passion for your parish and a willingness to roll up your sleeves and dedicate time and energy to listening to your parishioners and working to improve your local community.
Different members of the Douzaine bring different perspectives. You may be an accountant so focus on the numbers. You may be a parent so understand the issues for local schools and playgrounds. You may be a whizz with social media.
Constable
Constables also come from all walks of life but theirs is more of a management role and therefore experience of running a business, charity or other initiative will help.
What support or training is there?
Support and training
Parishes do not run any specific training for Douzeniers or Constables.
You learn on the job with the support of the Constables, the Dean, the parish clerk and other Douzeniers.
When taking on new activities, eg checking hedges and streams, you are likely to be twinned with a more experienced person.
What's the time commitment?
Time commitment
Douzaine meetings are held in the evenings, usually on a Monday, so it is possible to combine being a Douzenier with a full-time job or caring responsibilities. The meetings take place at the Douzaine Rooms and last about two hours.
Meetings of any sub-committees that you volunteer to join are held at a time that suits all the participants.
You may occasionally be asked to represent the Douzaine at a commemorative event or at the election of a Jurat.
Being a Constable is more time-consuming and a lot of the work happens during the day. Some Constables combine the role with a full-time job but ideally you would have more flexibility.
Different parishes and different Constables vary in their approach to the role. Some Constables take on a lot of personal responsibility, others delegate more to parish staff and the Douzeniers.
Do you get paid?
Remuneration
Being a Douzenier is a purely voluntary role to help your community.
Constables receive a nominal ‘honorarium’ payment which is set at a different amount in each parish. Ask your parish office for details.
Rewards and downsides
Rewards
You will be working in a team to support your local community, ensuring that your parish is well maintained and looking at its best.
You will really get to know your parish, discovering parts you didn’t know existed.
Downsides
Some Douzaines can be traditional and reluctant to embrace change.
The responsibilities of the Douzaine have been reducing over time, as services are centralised by the States of Guernsey. However, that also means there are opportunities to modernise and take a new approach to identifying and supporting the local community’s needs.
Where can I find out more?
Step-by-step guides
I’m thinking of standing in the parish elections
A Guide to the Annual Parish Election Process
Campaigning in a Parish Election
Infosheets
Parish election notices for November 2022
Leaflet: Support your local community – Be a Douzenier
Jo May’s experience of being a Castel Douzenier
Jo May’s experience of being a School Committee member
More information
Contact details and websites for each of the parishes.
List of Parochial Officials by parish, including when their terms expire.
Douzaine Liaison Group page, including the ‘Charter between the States of Guernsey and the Douzaines’.
Vale Parish’s ‘A Day in the Life of the Douzaine’.
Deputy Shane Langlois’ ‘Guernsey’s Douzaines in the 21st Century‘ – a brief history.
Questioning the accounts for the cemetery
Objecting to plans for new schools
Renting out parish land (article courtesy of Guernsey Press)
Planning for the future of the parish.
Corrections
Download info as PDF
What is Public Office?
Represent your community and make decisions on behalf of your island.
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