New legislation intended to modernise the island’s parish councils will be tabled at today’s sitting of the House of Assembly.

Ernest Peets, the Minister of Youth, Culture and Sport, said the Parish Councils Amendment Bill will allow the minister — instead of the Governor — to appoint council members.

“Parish councils serve our community well, and we have been working to review their governance arrangements,” Dr Peets said.

“This Bill will resolve some inconsistencies identified in the Parish Councils Act and enhance governance of the councils.”

In addition to transferring the responsibility for the appointment of the councils, the legislation would allow councils to operate with fewer than 12 members.

The Bill also empowers the minister to undertake a review of a parish council, either at the council’s request or by the minister’s own initiative.

A spokeswoman for the ministry said: “Such a review will provide for further consideration of a council’s governance structure, should any seek to become independent of the Government.

“Further, the Bill removes a legacy provision which can hold the Government liable for parish council expenses. This is a previously unused provision, and its removal does not affect council operations. Councils will continue to receive government funds per current practice.”

The Bill also allows for the administration of parish rest homes to be removed from the act in the future.

“This will not come into effect until all safety, operational, financial, and legal matters are considered in respect of a care home,” the spokeswoman added.

“Only the Warwick Parish Council operates a rest home — the Lorraine Care Home.”