BBC Radio Jersey

A so-called conscience clause which will allow businesses to opt-out providing wedding services to same-sex couples, has been described as open discrimination in Jersey's States.

Members are debating law changes which include introducing same-sex and open air marriages.

A group has suggested businesses should be able to opt-out on religious grounds.

But Deputy Simon Bree said the clause undermines the island's anti-discrimination laws.

"That protected that group of people from discrimination, that's what it was intended to do.

"That's what it was intended to do. To recognise the failings, if you want, of human nature. And to protect a group of people against open and often very violent discrimination," he said.

Jersey Evening Post

Rouge Bouillon Primary School could be extended on to the site of the former States police headquarters, according to the infrastructure minister., external

Guernsey Press

Sure will switch some customers to a different tariff after it emerged in 2017 thousands were paying more than they needed to for their mobile phone contract., external

Guernsey Press

Guernsey Police's neighbourhood policing team will be visiting schools in an attempt to raise awareness and gather information on a spate of graffiti incidents., external

Twitter

Another tide warning has been issued for Guernsey's west coast.

At 19:30 a 32ft (9.7m) high tide combines with northwesterly winds up to force seven.

Guernsey Met Office is warning of waves breaking over sea walls and debris on coastal paths.

Freddie Miller
Broadcast Journalist BBC Radio Jersey

Several drinking water fountains could be installed in St Helier, if the parish constable gets his way.

Simon Crowcroft has given his support to an initiative to reduce the number of plastic bottles people buy.

At a parish assembly last night Mr Crowcroft discussed putting a fountain in Halkett Street, but added they could be set up across St Helier.

"Why not have one in the Royal Square, for example?

"These things should be possible through discussions with Jersey Water and also the States of Jersey," he said.

BBC Radio Jersey

An Ice Age site in Jersey is to get more protection as part of a major engineering project.

Image source, Matt Pope

The cave at La Cotte, which is at the edge of Ouaisne, has been described as one of the most important Ice Age sites in Europe.

States departments and the Société Jersiaise have come up with a plan to protect it against erosion by the sea and weather.

They will build a wall across the side which faces the sea, after recent storms caused damage to the islands coast.

The Société will lease the site to Jersey Heritage for ongoing maintenance.

Mike Wilkins
BBC Channel Islands News

A Guernsey funeral director is calling for greater financial support for families covering the cost of burying their loved ones.

Jai Vaudin, who has 30 years experience in the funeral business, says death grants should be increased to match the rising costs associated with being buried on the island.

Guernsey's Employment and Social Security Committee says it has no current plans to increase the mean-tested grant, which can be as much as £4,000.

BBC Radio Jersey

Jersey States is expected to decide later whether firms will be obliged to accept business from same-sex couples who are getting married.

It will be part of a debate on new marriage laws, which have already been delayed.

The so-called conscience or tolerance clause has been supported by some local church leaders, while a prominent campaigner within the Anglican Church has argued it favours discrimination.

You can follow the debate online.

John Fernandez
BBC Radio Guernsey

Guernsey's biggest public sector union Unite says the majority of its members have accepted a new pay offer for 2018.

It equates to a 2% pay rise for staff, equivalent to the inflation figures for September 2017, the union said.

Despite voting in favour of the deal some public sector workers told me it wasn't the best deal they could get, as their cost of living would increase in line with the latest higher inflation figure of 2.8%.

Mike Wilkins
BBC Channel Islands News

There are no plans to increase Guernsey's death grants, despite a funeral director saying local families can't afford the rising cost of burying their loved ones.

Guernsey's Employment and Social Security Committee says it has no current plans to increase the grant, and any rise would need to be funded by taxpayer contributions.

Guernsey funeral director Jai Vaudin has called for the means-tested death grant to increase as he sees some families having to fundraise to pay to bury their loved ones.

Up to £2,750 can be awarded but Mr Vaudin says it's not enough as the average cost of a funeral is around £4,000.

BBC Radio Guernsey

A new cancer research unit in Southampton has reached its fundraising target thanks to a number of donations from Bailiwick residents.

Image source, University of Southampton

They include an anonymous donation of £2m made by a Guernsey resident last year.

It is now hoped The University of Southampton's £25m cancer immunology research centre, external will be up-and-running next month.

Guernsey footballer Matt Le Tissier and former Bailiff Sir Geoffrey Rowland have publicly backed the fundraising efforts.

BBC Radio Jersey

Public sector workers in Jersey should consider the whole employment package available to them under States reforms, and not just their salaries, a politician has said.

Yesterday, unions threatened to strike because of the changes.

Chairman of the States Employment Board Andrew Green says the workforce modernisation programme, external aims to ensure equal pay and job opportunities.

Under it, the number of pay grades available to staff will decrease from 75 to just 10, but union leaders say the changes would leave most workers financially worse off.

"I would urge the members to look at the whole package, not many private sector [workers] have the good pension scheme that we have, albeit that it's a career average now, it's still a good scheme.

"You need to look at the whole of the terms and conditions, the package," he said.

Dan Downs
Weather Forecaster

A mostly dry day with some spells of sunshine around.

Just the odd isolated shower is possible, that could be heavy and perhaps with some hail.

It will be a windy day though, with temperatures reaching 8C (46F).

Naomi Dunning
BBC Radio Jersey, Reporter

A Jersey church leader claims he's delivered hundreds of submissions from islanders wanting politicians to approve a so-called conscience clause.

The Reverend Martyn Shea, who provoked controversy when he published a letter of support for the move, says he wants respect for people's religious convictions.

Revd Shea claims he received hundreds of letters from Christians of all denominations, unhappy that businesses could be prosecuted for refusing to serve same-sex couples who were getting married.

He has written to Jersey politicians asking them to support the so-called conscience or tolerance clause, which would allow companies to say no to people because of their faith.

The island's Anglican Dean has warned against the move, while a campaigner for LGBTQ rights within the Church of England has today said it would be equal to enshrining discrimination in law.

Rob Byrne
BBC News Online

A Guernsey politician says he's been left "angry" despite the release of a summary report which found "no evidence" of a conflict of interest while he served in a senior position.

In November, Deputy Peter Ferbrache resigned as economic development president after a probe into how £300,000 was paid to a law firm carrying his name, but he said he had not profited from the payments.

Guernsey's Internal Audit Unit yesterday found Deputy Ferbrache had not breached any code of conduct rules, external as a result of the payment to law firm Ferbrache and Farrell, where he is a consultant.

The politician said the delay in publishing the report summary was "completely unsatisfactory" and he would have liked it done by a body independent of the States, and published in full.

The States' said not publishing the audit in full adheres to the government's access to public information code, with its senior committee adding it was Deputy Ferbrache's decision to resign.

BBC Radio Guernsey

About half of operations cancelled last year by Guernsey's secondary healthcare provider was because of a lack of resources, according to its 2017 annual report.

The Medical Specialist Group , external(MSG) says out of 7,236 operations, 315 were cancelled.

Nearly a third were on the decision of the anaesthetist or surgeon, and nearly half were cancelled because of a lack of resources.

Waiting times continue to be an issue for the MSG, with delays reported in gastroenterology, gynaecology and chronic pain services.

In 2017 the MSG received 94 complaints compared to 81 the previous year, with the majority of these grievances surrounding clinical issues.

There's also been a slight dip in the number of patients being seen on time compared to 2016, with 5% of those surveyed saying their session was more than 20 minutes late.

BBC Radio Jersey

A leading gay evangelical member of the Church of England says a proposed amendment to Jersey's equal marriage legislation will amount to enshrining discrimination in law.

Image source, Thinkstock

Jayne Ozanne says she's saddened by the proposed clause which would allow businesses to refuse to serve same-sex couples who wish to marry on faith grounds.

Ms Ozanne who is a member of the General Synod fears if this is allowed other forms of discrimination could be put into law.

The States is expected to debate the clause later.

Rob England
BBC News Online

A pro-Europe think tank has suggested the UK and EU forge a Brexit deal similar to the agreement currently held between the EU and Crown Dependencies, external.

The Centre for European Reform calls this arrangement "the Jersey option", which would involve the UK staying in a "comprehensive customs union with the EU and the single market", but only for goods.

For this to work the think tank's Director John Springford and research fellow Sam Lowe suggest the UK would have to follow certain rules:

• EU customs union regulations
• The inclusion of value added tax
• EU laws around state aid, including a financial contribution to the development of Central and Eastern European countries
• EU industrial emissions standards
• EU employment rules, to avoid UK employers using cheaper labour whilst outside EU law
• A new law court to settle disputes between the EU and UK over goods

Members of the think tank also said this deal could help solve the Irish border issue, as goods transported over the border would already comply with EU standards, with no need for border checks.

Meanwhile the UK's service sector, like Jersey's finance industry, would be unaffected by the agreement.

Overall the centre says the model could "limit the damage" of Brexit, and prove "politically palatable" for the 27 countries remaining in the EU.

A spokesman for the UK Department for Exiting the European Union said: "We are leaving the single market and customs union and we are seeking a bespoke deal including an ambitious free trade agreement, rather than adopting any existing off-the-peg model."

Rob England
BBC News Online

A "special review" will be undertaken by Guernsey's government after the conclusion of an investigation into a £300,000 payment to a law firm performing work for a public official.

Law firm Ferbrache and Farrell was appointed by the Office of the Public Trustee, whose role is to preserve the interest of the beneficiaries of a trust.

Deputy Peter Ferbrache was President of the Economic Development Committee - who oversee the office - when the payment was made.

In November he stepped down as president of the committee after a potential "conflict of interest" was raised by other States members due to his role as a consultant at the firm that carries his name.

The States of Guernsey's Internal Audit Unit recommended the States reviews the law and governance of the Office of the Public Trustee.

Current committee president, Deputy Charles Parkinson, said this would be "good governance".