Summary

  • Baby death: Three midwives before tribunal

  • Man arrested in connection with Temple Stores armed robbery

  • Jersey firms could have fewer licences for newcomers

  • Further delays to extending Jersey's FOI law

  • Guernsey is 'losing tech talent to the UK'

  • Jersey Airport records highest passenger numbers in 16 years

  • Dogs should be banned from Guernsey beaches, says birdwatcher

  • Updates on Tuesday 10 January 2017

Live Reporting

  1. Jersey Airport records highest passenger numbers in 16 years

    Ryan Morrison
    BBC News Online

    Jersey Airport has recorded its highest passenger numbers for 16 years, according to Ports of Jersey.

    In 2016, just under 1.6m passengers travelled through the island's only airport, the last time it was higher was in 2000 when 1.635m flew through the island.

    Lyndon Farnham

    These figures are extremely encouraging and a sign that work over recent years to expand routes and choice is paying off. I am confident that this upward trend will continue in 2017 and beyond.

    Senator Lyndon Farnham, Economic Development Minister

  2. Birdwatcher wants beach ban for dogs

    Ryan Morrison
    BBC News Online

    A Guernsey birdwatcher has urged the States to introduce legislation to ban dogs from four beaches between autumn and spring each year.

    Rod Ferbrache says the wildlife needs protecting. 

    Bird sign

    There is no legislation to protect the wildlife on the beaches and that is the problem. Until it is legislated, people will choose to disregard it.

    Rod Ferbrache, Birdwatcher

  3. Guernsey is 'losing tech talent to the UK'

    Ryan Morrison
    BBC News Online

    The Managing Director of one of the largest technology companies in Guernsey claims the Bailiwick is losing talent to the UK, due to a lack of grant funding for local startups. 

    Cables

    Marc Laine from the C5 Alliance Group says entrepreneurs can access such funding elsewhere. He's wondering whether States funding will ever come forward. 

    In a statement Guernsey's senior States Committee, Policy & Resources says: "We are continuing to explore possible options for an Innovation Fund with a number of interested parties."

  4. Government owned companies 'still not covered' by FOI

    Ryan Morrison
    BBC News Online

    Government owned companies covering postal services, phone lines, building development and more are still not covered by the Freedom of Information (FOI) law despite a vote in 2014 to include them.

    Jersey Electricity

    Deputy Carolyn Labey brought a successful proposition before the FOI law came in to extend the legislation but despite the FOI law launching in January 2015 those companies are still not covered.

    This has been put down to it being such a complicated issue including concerns over regulation and commercial impact. It would cover companies like Jersey Electricity and JT.

  5. Foster carers needed

    Jersey Evening Post

    Fostering and Adoption Jersey is looking to recruit ten more carers.  

  6. Dry December sees reservoir levels fall

    Chris Quevatre
    BBC News Online

    Guernsey's water reserves have taken a hit after an "exceptionally dry" December.

    Guernsey Water's latest supply report shows a decrease in stored water, which were at 79% of capacity at the end of 2016.

    Guernsey reservoir

    Th utility says it's not overly concerned at the moment, but is reminding islanders to use water wisely and to report any water leaks or signs of pollution in streams, which are a valuable source of water.

    Normally December is the first winter month when we would expect to see a significant amount of rainfall to recharge our reservoirs, but this did not happen in 2016. Although total water resource levels are still reasonably healthy the reduction last month is particularly uncommon and something we have not experienced in the last decade, which tells us just how dry December was.”

    Stephen Langlois, General Manager, Guernsey Water

  7. Three months of diversions as Trinity main road resurfaced

    Ryan Morrison
    BBC News Online

    The main road in Trinity will be closed for the next three months for resurfacing work. 

    Trinity resurfacing

    Constable of Trinity, John Gallichan says the road has needed resurfacing for sometime as it is in a bad state.  

    He said: "We will all be driving four-by-four vehicles if this hadn't happened. It was long overdue."

  8. Waste disposal charge ‘will improve our recycling rate’

    Jersey Evening Post

    Jersey will fall further behind other jurisdictions in its recycling rate unless charges are introduced for waste disposal, the Infrastructure Minister says.  

  9. Dogs should be banned from Guernsey beaches - birdwatcher

    BBC Radio Guernsey

    A local birdwatcher is renewing calls to ban dogs on four of the island's beaches from autumn to spring each year. 

    Beach

    Rod Ferbrache says he frequently sees dogwalkers ignoring the voluntary dog ban at the Richmond end of Vazon, which was introduced by the States to protect wading birds. 

    He says only a compulsory ban - which he wants introduced on the southern end of Vazon Bay, L'Eree, and the northern end of Cobo, will properly protect the bird population.

  10. Latest headlines for the Channel Islands

    Ryan Morrison
    BBC News Online

    Jersey

    • Jersey companies will be able to hire fewer new arrivals to the island under new plans from ministers
    • Jersey's chief of police has hinted that there could be fewer police officers as technology in the force advances

    Guernsey

    • A former Guernsey politician and managing director of a local technology firm is disappointed more financial help isn't being made available for start-up companies
    • There are renewed calls for compulsory working permits to regulate tradesmen from off-island in Guernsey
    • A local birdwatcher is renewing calls to ban dogs on four of the island's beaches from autumn to spring each year

  11. Further delays to extending FOI law

    Ryan Morrison
    BBC News Online

    There has been a further delay to plans to bring Jersey government owned companies under the Freedom of Information (FOI) law, an FOI request has found. 

    Government companies

    Politicians voted to extend the law in November 2014 after a proposition by Deputy Carolyn Labey. 

    A spokesman said the delay was down to concerns over commercial and regulatory issues on companies, but that a review was under way and more information would be published later this year. 

    The change would apply to companies that provide the island's electricity, phones and postal services as well as ports and a number of large developments.

  12. Latest weather in the Channel Islands

    BBC Weather

    After a fairly bright start to the day, cloud will increase through the morning with outbreaks of rain pushing in from the west during the afternoon. Maximum temperature: 10C (50F).

    Jersey

    Jersey weather

    Guernsey

    Guernsey weather

  13. Cold snap to begin on Thursday

    Jersey Evening Post

    Jersey is to be hit by the first cold snap of the winter – with snow showers possible by the end of the week.  

  14. Companies could have fewer licences for newcomers

    Mike Weir
    BBC Radio Jersey

    Jersey companies will be able to hire fewer new arrivals to the island under new plans from ministers. It's designed to cut population growth, but business leaders say some industries could suffer. 

    King Street

    Jersey's population grew by 1,700 in 2015. For some, that's too many. This plan aims to reduce the number of new arrivals companies can have on the books. 

    Once they've been here for five years, the States will cut the companies quota, rather than allowing them to hire more new arrivals, which is what often happens now. 

    The Chamber of Commerce says there is no doubt the policy will cause problems, especially in tourism and catering. A previous population target of 325 a year fell by the wayside. Ministers haven't yet said what their new target is. 

  15. BBC Local Live in the Channel Islands

    Ryan Morrison
    BBC News Online

    Good morning and welcome to Local Live on Tuesday. 

    We will be bringing you all the latest news, sport, travel and weather for Guernsey and Jersey until 18:00 this evening. 

    Don't forget, you can get in touch too - just send us an email.