BBC Radio Jersey

Introducing pre-sales agreements when islanders buy or sell houses could "hold up transactions", according to estate agents.

A panel of politicians is calling for the agreements as they feel, under the current system, it is too easy for house buyers or sellers to pull out of or try to change a deal at the last minute.

The Residential Property Transactions Review Panel have asked the chief minister, Senator Ian Gorst, to consider introducing the agreements, which would include financial penalties for people who change their mind.

Gill Hunt, a committee member of the Jersey estate agents' association, says pre-sales agreements could boost confidence, but may increase the time it takes for a transaction to clear.

In Jersey, according to Ms Hunt a property sale can be completed "between four and six weeks", which "keeps everyone focused". Whereas in the UK, the average house transaction can take up to 88 days.

Jersey and Guernsey's annual cricket match will be played over the T20 format for the first time this summer.

Live coverage of the States of Jersey meeting from BBC Radio Jersey.

BBC Radio Guernsey

Guernsey has an "opportunity" to improve the local shopping experience according to a new retail survey, external, which has been released by the Committee for Economic Development.

The survey, carried out by Island Global Research, gathered the views of 934 Guernsey residents on the retail experience offered both in shops and online.

Researchers found in the past 12 months 96% of respondents had shopped online. But of those 46% of respondents said they preferred to shop locally, compared to 25% who preferred to shop online and 29% who were indifferent.

The committee said it was using the findings to "inform its approach to the retail sector", including "unlocking the potential" of the St Peter Port waterfront.

Deputy Andrea Dudley-Owen, the committee's vice president, said the findings represented the "collective voice" of the Guernsey shopper.

Image source, States of Guernsey

BBC Weather

Mainly dry and bright through this morning, but with increasing amounts of cloud as the day progresses.

Still breezy, but feeling milder.

Maximum temperature: 4-7C (39-45F).

Jersey:

Guernsey:

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BBC Radio Jersey

The mother of a baby left at the Jersey General Hospital when it was less than 30 minutes old could be at risk of blood poisoning, health officials have warned.

The area where the mother gave birth may not have been sterile, leaving her at risk of the life-threatening condition sepsis, external.

Image source, States of Jersey Police

Police, children's services and a dedicated midwife are urging the mother to come forward to get checked over.

Susan Devlin, managing director of children's services, says the boy is doing well and she has made a direct appeal to the mum.

"We're worried about you, we're worried because giving birth can be exhausting and traumatic, even with the help of health staff.

"So I'd like to ask you, your friends, or your family, to make sure you're safe and well. Come and get checked over."

BBC Radio Jersey

Senator Sarah Ferguson has accepted a report that she breached the Code of Conduct for Elected Members.

The Commissioner for Standards found the complaint she had not declared her involvement with the Jersey Lifeboat Association before bringing two propositions before the Assembly was "justified" but "minor".

She has since issued an apology.

Privileges and Procedures Committee ruled no further action was needed, external.

Chris Rayner
BBC Radio Jersey Political Reporter

Part of a review into sports facilities in Jersey will decide whether the AquaSplash pool in St Helier will remain in public ownership.

The 20-year lease is due to expire in 2023 and currently the operator, Serco, receives more than £400,000 in subsidies from the government and the States of Jersey Development Company.

Constable Steve Pallett, from the Economic Development Department, said a decision on the public ownership of the facility would be made "fairly soon".

BBC Radio Guernsey

A football stadium built at Victoria Avenue would give the Guernsey Football Association (GFA) its first home in 125 years, officials say.

Plans for the £2m ground and 3G training facility have been put forward by the GFA and Guernsey Football Club (GFC).

The chairman of the seven-year-old club, Mark Le Tissier, said both organisations had been looking for their own space, and they "worked together" to put the plans in motion.

Image source, Guernsey Football Club/Guernsey Football Association

BBC Radio Guernsey

Future proofing football in Guernsey was one of the main drivers for a £2m stadium complex at Victoria Avenue, according to the island's football association.

If planning permission is approved the facility will be used for Guernsey FC's home games, Guernsey Football Association's representative matches, and will provide a 3G training facility for community use.

Construction could begin in 2019, officials say.

GFA Chairman Chris Schofield said the proposal "has to succeed", and the stadium could help the association generate revenue.

Image source, Guernsey Football Association/Guernsey Football Club

BBC Radio Jersey

There will be no change to the location of the Jersey International Air Display despite concerns about the safety of Elizabeth Castle.

Jersey Heritage commissioned a report that found there was a risk the castle could get hit during the annual display over St Aubin's Bay.

The Council of Ministers has decided the risks to the historic building are "minimal", and the minister responsible, Senator Lyndon Farnham, confirmed the air display will stay put.

Rob England
BBC News Online

A male pedestrian was involved in an "altercation" with a Land Rover on Tuesday, police said.

It happened between 10:15 and 10:45 on La Profonde Rue in Trinity.

Officers are appealing for witnesses.

Rob England
BBC News Online

Officials have urged the mother of a baby boy left at Jersey hospital yesterday morning to approach children’s services in order to "make the right decision" for the baby’s future.

At a press conference, Susan Devlin, managing director for the service, said: "You may have decided you can’t keep baby or won’t be allowed, we can talk to you about that."

She added it was important for the child to have information about his family, including medical history.

Ms Devlin was joined by Ch Insp Alison Fossey, and midwife Jan Auffret in voicing concerns over the safety of the mother.

Ms Auffret, who works in the hospital's maternity ward, said it was important for the mother to come forward to receive a medical check.

She said part of this was make sure she was not suffering from sepsis or an infection, and to receive aftercare.

Rob England
BBC News Online

The mother of a baby boy left at Jersey hospital yesterday morning is at risk of "suffering compilations" following the birth, police have said.

Ch Insp Alison Fossey said the mother of the child had not yet been identified, and there were concerns for her well being.

The little boy, she added, "continued to do well" and had been given a name.

Officers have opened a dedicated phone line for friends and family to call for advice for the mother from a midwife - 07797 710885.

Ch Insp Fossey said at least one other person would have witnessed the dropping off of the child, after CCTV footage showed two people approaching the hospital, and urged anyone with information about the mother to come forward.

BBC Radio Guernsey

The snowy and cold conditions in Guernsey led to delays in flights today, an Aurigny spokesman says.

"We have had to wait for snow and sleet to stop falling in Guernsey before we can effectively deice the aircraft," he said.

"We apologise for the disruption and inconvenience it has caused. The safety of our passengers is always our number one priority."

"We are hopeful that with a clearance in the weather, we can get operations up and running."

Some flights have been cancelled and knock-on delays are expected throughout the day, external.

BBC Radio Guernsey

Support is needed for businesses in Guernsey being evicted from Fontaine Vinery in June, according to a deputy.

The site of the vinery has been earmarked for social housing, and businesses are due to be moved by June.

Tenants have been offered the use of another site, Griffiths Yard, on a commercial basis as an alternative, with no States financial subsidy.

The States is now considering how much rent to charge the companies moving to the new site, and have agreed to increase it "incrementally" over three years.

Deputy Laurie Queripel called for caution on the charge, as there were no other appropriate sites on the island on which to base a starting rent; but conceded there would be an extra charge as the yard had "better facilities".

"There should be an increase, yes, but I don't think it should be a big increase, because we don't know what the commercial rate is for these kind of sites."

BBC Radio Jersey

Jersey Overseas Aid Commission (JOA) has begun a partnership with Comic Relief.

The partnership, called "Branching Out", will see £8m spent on projects in Rwanda, Sierra Leone and Zambia over the next four years, with half the money to come from the JOA.

A spokeswoman for the commission said the money would be used to help people in Africa on low incomes access bank accounts, insurance and savings - allowing them to plan better and deal with unexpected emergencies.

Since 1985 Comic Relief has raised more than £1bn to help poor and disadvantaged people in the UK and in some of the world's poorest communities.

The UK charity says the commission's financial expertise and experience of funding international development made them a "natural choice" for the partnership.