FORT GREY

Guernsey

he Bailiwick of is a group over 62,000. The capital, St Peter Port, is residents have access to specialist services in of islands within the . unique with its cobbled streets and a mixture the UK when this is necessary. The Deanery TGuernsey is a beautiful, vibrant and of small boutiques and other main stream of Guernsey pays for health insurance cover safe place to live, a thriving and entirely shops and banks. In addition there are many for clergy and their resident dependents. modern community that maintains a healthy restaurants, bistros and cafes offering a wide Guernsey is not part of the UK’s National respect for its culture and traditional range of cuisine with many featuring fresh Health Service. values. Situated in the Bay of St Malo, local seafood. Some 18,500 people live in Guernsey is geographically close to France, St Peter Port. The educational provision, at primary and being only 27 miles from the Normandy Guernsey offers a completely different secondary level, is also of a high standard; coast, and 70 miles from mainland Britain. way of life. The island has stunning views young people from Guernsey are able to Guernsey’s loyalty, however, is to the from the cliff paths, beautiful walks, attend UK universities. As Guernsey students British Crown, although the island is a self- sandy beaches and cycle routes. Sport is are not eligible to apply for funding from the governing jurisdiction. an important part of life in Guernsey, as UK Student Loans Company, Guernsey’s Part of the Duchy of Normandy from before well as the arts. There is a vibrant voluntary Education Department supports students the Norman Conquest of England, the sector. The churches play an important choosing to study at university through a Channel Islands were retained by the Kings part in Guernsey’s life; attendance is still means-tested grant scheme. The amount of England when Normandy was lost in 1204. proportionately higher than in England. of funding received (towards the cost of Guernsey and Jersey have remained as two The economy was primarily based on tuition fees, living costs in the form of a separate crown dependencies, each with agriculture and tourism in the last century, their own laws and customs based originally maintenance grant and travel costs) but Guernsey is now a major international on Norman practice. Effectively independent, depends on a number of factors, including finance centre. yet coming under the protective wing of the an assessment of parental income. British Government, Guernsey is a part of the Communications between Guernsey and Channel Island clergy are paid an additional British Isles but not the . the UK are excellent – whether through sum to the diocesan stipend (currently a 22% The UK Government is responsible only for high speed internet or through air links to the Bailiwick’s international representation England. It is also possible to reach Guernsey uplift), to take account of the higher cost of and defence. by sea. The Deanery pays an annual grant living in the islands. towards the cost of off-island travel. The island is approximately 9 miles by 6 miles More information about living in Guernsey (just over 25 sq miles) with a population of On-island health care is very good, and can be found later in this document.

1 THE DEANERY OF GUERNSEY Since the time of Queen Elizabeth I, the deaneries of Guernsey and Jersey have been annexed to the Diocese of Winchester. Currently, under an agreement with the Archbishop of Canterbury, episcopal care is provided by the Right Reverend Trevor Willmott. The Archbishop of Canterbury has established a Commission to investigate the relationship of the Channel Islands to the wider Church of England; the Commission will, in due course, make recommendations to the Archbishop about our future episcopal oversight. Parish share is paid to Guernsey Deanery Board of Finance, with funds being sent via Canterbury Diocesan Board of Finance for the payment of clergy stipends and pension contributions. Guernsey representatives attend the Canterbury Diocesan Synod; the Diocese of Canterbury, in turn, supports the mission and ministry of the Church of England in Guernsey and Jersey through its advisers in safeguarding, mission and ministry. As Guernsey is not part of the UK, the Church of England’s Canons and Measures do not automatically apply here. There are, for example, no parochial church councils and incumbents hold their office under freehold (rather than Common Tenure). Guernsey’s Ecclesiastical Court (over which the Dean presides) issues faculties for work in church buildings and marriage licences. The rectors of the ten ancient parishes still have a significant role in Guernsey life. There are fourteen ecclesiastical parishes in Guernsey; these, along with the parishes in Alderney and Sark, comprise the Deanery of Guernsey. More information can be found at www.churchofengland.org.gg

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2 Living and working in Guernsey LIVING IN GUERNSEY POPULATION INCOME TAX The information in this appendix is believed MANAGEMENT LAWS The standard rate of Income Tax is 20 pence in the pound. There is no capital gains tax, to be correct at the time of writing (March Due to the size of the Island and the density capital transfer tax, estate duty, inheritance 2019). However, candidates are advised of the population, there are strict controls tax, purchase tax, turnover tax, value added to consult the States of Guernsey website on who may occupy dwellings in Guernsey. tax or wealth tax in Guernsey. (www.gov.gg) and make enquiries as There are two categories of dwellings: necessary. Having recently moved to ‘open market’ which are freely available for www.gov.gg/tax Guernsey, the Dean will be happy to answer occupation and ‘local market’ which may be any general questions from his experience. occupied only by persons with residential SOCIAL SECURITY qualifications or by licence holders. External transport All residents of Guernsey and Alderney Getting to Guernsey is relatively easy, whether The Deanery of Guernsey will ensure, as part are required to register with the Social of the appointment process, that a priest this be from the UK, international locations, Security Department. Contributions for appointed to a post in Guernsey (together or just between the Channel Islands. employed persons are collected through their with his or her spouse and any dependent employer’s payroll system (by the Church By air children accompanying them) will have the Commissioners for Anglican clergy). Benefits Guernsey has regular flights to a range appropriate permission to occupy the house paid include those related to sickness, old of UK destinations. Guernsey flights provided for them. age pension, healthcare, long term care, from London Gatwick take as little as 45 maternity, bereavement and unemployment. minutes, with those from regional airports RIGHT TO WORK LAW www.gov.gg/article/119722/Social-security- taking upwards of 30 minutes. Regular There is a ‘Right to Work’ law in Guernsey. contribution-rates-and-payments flights operate from major UK airports This means that if a person wants to take up all year round, as well as some additional employment or self-employment in Guernsey CUSTOMS AND EXCISE seasonal services further afield. or wishes to change jobs in Guernsey he or she must have a valid Right to Work www.gov.gg/article/119655/Imports-Exports- The following airlines provide regular document confirming that he or she is Immigration-and-Emigration flights from Guernsey to a number of lawfully housed. The Deanery of Guernsey destinations (which can be checked on will assist with the provision of this as part HEALTH their websites): of the appointment process. See General: The average life expectancy at www.gov.gg/article/120140/Getting-a-job birth is 80 years, slightly higher than that • Aurigny of the UK.

• Flybe PRICES The States of Guernsey spend more on health Prices of commodities are generally and social care than on any other area of • competitive to those in the United Kingdom, government, reflecting the high standard of but value added tax and other forms of these services within the Island and the value The website visitguernsey.com provides a sales taxes are not payable in Guernsey. placed on ensuring healthy living. useful route finder which gives details of However, the prices of certain commodities, the airlines and the locations they serve. The healthcare system in Guernsey is particularly food and fuel, may be higher than different to that of the National Health in the United Kingdom. By sea Service (NHS) in the UK. All primary care There are regular ferries to Portsmouth is provided on a private basis whilst some and Poole, as well as Jersey and France. secondary care and specialist services are Ferries to Guernsey from the UK take as free. Specialist (secondary care) services little as three hours. A traditional ferry are only accessed via a referral from a GP. operates in all weathers, and all-year- There is no reciprocal health agreement round, from Portsmouth. between Guernsey and the UK so it is advised that prospective residents consider taking There are also regular ferries from out health insurance (for clergy and their Guernsey to Sark and Herm. families, this is arranged and paid by the Deanery of Guernsey). Immigration and Nationality GP visits, A&E visits, ambulance use and There are no restrictions on British physiotherapy requested by the GP incur a Citizens, persons who otherwise have charge – but this charge is covered by the the right of abode in the United Kingdom health insurance scheme. and Islands under the provisions of the Immigration Act 1971 or nationals of Everyone who normally lives in Guernsey European Union or European Economic and is registered for the payment of Social Area member states taking up residence Security contributions is covered by the or conducting business in the Island ‘Specialist Health Insurance Scheme’ and (subject to the Population Management so may receive specialist care and treatment regulations). This advice may be revised free of charge. if and when the United Kingdom leaves The Medical Specialist Group consultants the European Union; see provide the emergency and elective www.gov.gg/article/170129/Brexit-planning. specialist medical services for the Bailiwick

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of Guernsey. These consultants provide • The Children’s Dental Service provides a CARS AND DRIVING the majority of medical services, including dedicated dental service for pre-school surgery, undertaken at the Island’s hospital. and school age children with particular IN GUERNSEY needs, and dental health screening of Registering a car: Any car brought into the Children’s health: There are a number of children aged 3 ½, 5 and 9, together with island, that has previously been registered services available to help if you want to raise a programme of oral health promotion. in another jurisdiction, must be re-registered a family in Guernsey: in Guernsey within 14 days of arrival.

• Health visiting is a universal EDUCATION Driving licence: New residents to the Island, who already have a driving licence issued service offered to all families with Guernsey offers an excellent education in another jurisdiction, will need to apply to pre-school children. system with free schooling for all students exchange their foreign licence for a Guernsey up to the age of 18. There are also three licence within one year of arriving. • School nurses work to improve the private colleges on the Island. health and wellbeing of children and www.gov.gg/article/120228/ young people. www.gov.gg/education Driving-and-vehicles

PHOTOGRAPHY ENGLAND Courtesy of Chris George Photography T: 07781 161910 ST PETER PORT

GUERNSEY English Channel CONTACT DETAILS Telephone: 01481 238568 FRANCE Mobile: 07781 166095 Email: [email protected] 4