Summary

  • Controversial Jersey innovation fund suspended

  • Sark Vineyards has announced the closure of its business in Sark

  • Condor cancels ferries due to heavy wind

  • 'Nearly £7,000' spent kennelling Mr Bronx

  • Guernsey midwifery head issues statement to reassure pregnant women as tribunal continues

  • Missing man sparks overnight search

  • Updates on Thursday 12 January 2017

  1. Thanks for joining us at BBC Local Live for the Channel Islandspublished at 18:00 Greenwich Mean Time 12 January 2017

    That's all from BBC Local Live in the Channel Islands for today, we'll be back at 08:00 to bring you all the day's news, sport, travel and weather updates.

    Don't miss BBC Channel Islands News at 18:30 and the late bulletin at 22:30 tonight.

  2. LibertyBus launch 'accessibility card' in Jerseypublished at 17:56 Greenwich Mean Time 12 January 2017

    Ryan Morrison
    BBC News Online

    Jersey's only bus company, LibertyBus, has launched a new accessibility card that will allow passengers to "discreetly" show a driver if they have extra needs.

    Accessibility CardImage source, LibertyBus

    The company says the card comes with a selection of stickers that passengers can put on the front to quickly show the driver if they need extra time at a stop, help getting off the bus or to be told when to get off the bus.

    Nikki Withe, HR, Training & Community Transport Manager, said: "We’ve worked hard over the last six months with Jersey Mencap, JDP, EyeCan, Les Amis, Jersey Stroke Association and Highlands Life Skills students we have hopefully been able to make sure we’ve got our card right for the user."

  3. Nearly 1,300 looking for work in Decemberpublished at 17:49 Greenwich Mean Time 12 January 2017

    Ryan Morrison
    BBC News Online

    There were 1,280 people registered as looking for work in Jersey at the end of December 2016 - the lowest number in six years - new figures reveal.

    Actively Seeking WorkImage source, Jersey Stats Unit

    The Jersey Statistics Unit report also found there were 270 people registered unemployed for more than 12 months, which is up by 70 on the previous year.

    The Assistant Social Security Minister Deputy Graham Truscott said the improvement was down to the success of the Back to Work programme and support from local businesses.

  4. Deputy St Pier says 'we need to back education'published at 17:40 Greenwich Mean Time 12 January 2017

    Ryan Morrison
    BBC News Online

    Guernsey's most senior politician, Deputy Gavin St Pier, who backed a motion of no confidence in the education committee, says he's now asked the States to get behind the committee.

    Deputy Gavin St Pier
    Quote Message

    I sent a message to all states members last night to say we need to get behind the committee, we all have a job to do and we will get on and do that.

    Deputy Gavin St Pier

  5. Good governance 'not in place' for innovation fundpublished at 17:34 Greenwich Mean Time 12 January 2017

    Ryan Morrison
    BBC News Online

    Jersey's Comptroller and Auditor General, Karen McConnell, has released a "highly critical" report into the £5m Jersey Innovation Fund set up by the States of Jersey in 2014 to fund local companies.

    Karen McConnelImage source, Jersey Audit Office

    She said: "The Jersey Innovation Fund was a new scheme which required an entrepreneurial approach. Such an approach requires an excellent understanding of good governance consistently applied in practice. That has not been demonstrated.

    "In addition, when weaknesses in arrangements were identified prompt and effective action should have been taken to address those weakness. Again, that did not happen."

  6. Trees down on Guernsey roadspublished at 17:28 Greenwich Mean Time 12 January 2017

    BBC Travel

    • The junction of Ruette Rabey and Ville Amphrey is blocked by a tree
    • A tree has come down in Le Vauquiedor between the hospital entrance and the traffic lights at La Brigade. Motorists are requested to avoid the area
    • There's also tree down in St Saviour. It's blocking Rue De Quanteraine
  7. Delay over transfer of Alderney Ambulance Servicepublished at 17:24 Greenwich Mean Time 12 January 2017

    Ryan Morrison
    BBC News Online

    A decision on transferring the ownership of Alderney's Ambulance Service to the island's government was deferred at a States meeting last night.

    Under the plans, the service will transfer from current provider St John to the Alderney Foundation - which manages Alderney States assets.

    There were concerns from newly-elected politician Mike Dean over a lack of information about the deal. A decision is now expected to be made at the next States meeting.

    St John Ambulance
  8. Football: March date likely for Jersey FA's Uefa hearingpublished at 17:19 Greenwich Mean Time 12 January 2017

    Jersey Evening Post

    Jersey FA president Phil Austin believes a Uefa hearing with the Court of Arbitration for Sport will take place towards the end of March, external.

  9. Guernsey west coast road closedpublished at 17:16 Greenwich Mean Time 12 January 2017

    BBC Travel

    Police say the Perelle coast road has been closed to traffic, due to the current weather and tide conditions. Officers ask people to avoid the area.

  10. Health agrees to scrutiny recommendations for hospitalpublished at 17:10 Greenwich Mean Time 12 January 2017

    Ryan Morrison
    BBC News Online

    Jersey's health minister has accepted a series of recommendations from scrutiny on the future hospital project including appointing a qualified project director as soon as possible.

    Jersey Hospital

    Senator Andrew Green says scrutiny's report into the matter was fair, professional and comprehensive.

    Scrutiny also recommended an independent advisor be appointed to review work, and advise the project board of how it is progressing.

    Senator Green said scrutiny's input had a balanced view of the hospital debate, and he looked forward to working together with them as the project progresses.

  11. Sark wine still not releasedpublished at 17:05 Greenwich Mean Time 12 January 2017

    Ben Chapple
    BBC News Online

    With the news the vineyards in Sark are being closed it's fair to say producing wine in Sark has been controversial.

    The vineyards, set up in 2010, have been the subject of a protest, the target of vandals, led to a push for a land use policy and yet a single bottle of wine has yet to be released.

    Sark Vineyards say they have about 28,000 bottles in various stages of ageing.

    It says an early preview of the 2014 vintage is due to be presented to some international wine experts and buyers in late spring of this year and it expects it all to be pre-sold ahead of its release in December 2019.

  12. Farming 'could be harmed' by immigration planpublished at 16:59

    Ryan Morrison
    BBC News Online

    The president of the Jersey Farmers Union says struggling farming businesses will be hit by new measures to curb immigration to the island.

    Jersey Royals

    Ministers say Jersey's population needs to be controlled as it's grown well beyond predictions, with more than 1,500 new migrants in 2015 and a similar number expected in 2016 when figures are revealed.

    Companies with lots of non-local staff could have some of their licences taken away. Farmers Union president Peter Le Maistre says plans to target unprofitable businesses are worrying.

  13. Deputy Neil Inder's record on educationpublished at 16:51 Greenwich Mean Time 12 January 2017

    Chris Quevatre
    BBC News Online

    As you might imagine, after only a few months in office, Deputy Neil Inder doesn't have a very long voting record, but he's made his views on education particularly clear.

    Before his election to the States of Guernsey, he was vocal on social media in his support of a selective school system, and backed that up by voting against the decision to scrap the 11-plus in December.

    Guernsey Grammar School

    After that vote failed, he called the decision "the assassination of the Grammar School".

    Now that he's joined the Committee for Education, Sport and Culture, he'll join the other members in coming up with an all-ability, three-school system which is due to be debated in the summer.

  14. Six companies benefited from innovation fundpublished at 16:44 Greenwich Mean Time 12 January 2017

    Ryan Morrison
    BBC News Online

    Six companies have shared in the £2m worth of loans or grants as part of the Jersey Innovation Fund since it launched in 2014.

    A report by the comptroller and auditor general was heavily critical of the fund and the way it has been managed.

    We don't know how much was given to each company or whether any money has been paid back as this information is commercially sensitive, according to a Freedom of Information response.

    The Chief Minister, Senator Ian Gorst, said the fund had been suspended and no money was given out in 2016.

    • Stumpydog Innovations Ltd: Develop a playpen for babies
    • Total Billing Solutions Ltd: Develop a medical billing system for businesses operating within the health care sector in Jersey and the UK
    • Snap Ring Joint Limited: Commercialisation of a pipeline coupling for connecting and repairing pipelines, specifically in the oil and gas sector
    • Logfiller Ltd: Distribution of a computer software solution that measures the actual user experience and system use
    • Sideplay Entertainment Limited: Distribute Instant Win Games (IWG) content to online gaming operators and lottery organisations
    • Proviz Limited: Distribute high visibility sportswear and accessories into international markets  
  15. Savills buys Montagu Evans to establish local presencepublished at 16:40 Greenwich Mean Time 12 January 2017

    Guernsey Press

    One of the biggest names in the UK property scene has bought into Guernsey, external.  

  16. Wild bird feeding scheme 'a success'published at 16:37 Greenwich Mean Time 12 January 2017

    BBC Radio Jersey

    A group of researchers working with Jersey farmers say they've seen a massive increase in wild bird numbers in the island.

    Fields being monitored by the wildlife group Birds on the Edge have seen a five-fold increase in the last three years.

    Sorry, we're having trouble displaying this content.View original content on Facebook
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Facebook content may contain adverts.
  17. Warning over high tide and gale force windspublished at 16:31 Greenwich Mean Time 12 January 2017

    Ben Chapple
    BBC News Online

    Guernsey's emergency services are warning islanders the high tide at 18:30 will combine with forecast winds of force 8-10.

    They have advised motorists and pedestrians to not take any risks  and are advised to avoid the west coast if possible.

  18. Deputy Neil Inder fills empty seat on education committeepublished at 16:21 Greenwich Mean Time 12 January 2017

    Chris Quevatre
    BBC News Online

    Guernsey's newest politician Deputy Neil Inder has been elected unopposed as a member of the Committee for Education, Sport and Culture.

    He was nominated and seconded by the president and vice president of the committee.

    Neil Inder

    A spot on the committee opened up after Deputy Marc Leadbeater resigned his position ahead of a vote of no confidence.

    The vote failed yesterday by 22 votes to 13, meaning the other four members remain in their roles.

  19. Plans for a second Mr Bronx walkpublished at 16:09 Greenwich Mean Time 12 January 2017

    Ryan Morrison
    BBC News Online

    Mr Bronx was kennelled at the Jersey Animal Shelter for 10 months after customs suspected him of being a pitbull type, this is after he had already been with his family for some time.

    Mr BronxImage source, Jason Gomes

    His owner, Jason Gomes, says it is wonderful to have him back but they are having to work with him to make him a fully socialised dog again, including getting him used to walking on a lead and wearing his muzzle.

    During the 10 months there was a campaign supported by hundreds of islanders as well as celebrities like Anthony Head. Islanders also held a dog walk for Mr Bronx to raise awareness and show support.

    Mr Gomes said: "I'm hoping, later in the year when the weather is nice and he is more socialised, we can do another walk and people can meet him."

  20. Sharp rise in wild birds after vacant field schemepublished at 16:01 Greenwich Mean Time 12 January 2017

    Ryan Morrison
    BBC News Online

    The number of wild birds in Jersey being monitored by a group of researchers has increased by more than 500% in the last three years, the group confirmed.

    Bird

    The Birds on the Edge wildlife group plant vacant fields with crops to feed the birds during the winter.

    They also catch and monitor the birds in the fields, allowing the group to follow their progress.

    Cristina Sellares, a researcher, says numbers may have improved even further this winter.