Josephine Baker
BBC Radio Jersey, Reporter

Dr Richard Downes will join the team which allows cremations to go ahead, external in Jersey.

In 2011 the law was changed to allow a group of "medical referees" to decide whether a body can be cremated instead of the Medical Officer of Heath, which officials at the time said created "delays".

It is the final check to ensure there is no reason why a body may not be disposed of by cremation, after which time no post-mortem examination of the remains would be possible, according to the States.

A spokesman said the process is an "important safeguard" to make sure doctors can make further inquiries if necessary - for example if there was any doubt as to the cause of death, or any suspicious circumstances.

The report says an extra doctor is needed to strengthen the existing team.

BBC Radio Jersey

The body which regulates lawyers in Jersey has urged States members to reject an amendment to the draft Sexual Offences Law, external, to be debated this week.

The Law Society of Jersey is against the proposal for a defendant accused of rape to only be tried by Jurats - legal experts of the court.

At the moment a defendant charged with rape can choose to be tried by the public in a trial, or Jurats.

Jersey Action Against Rape say prosecutors face difficulties securing convictions under the current system, with four convictions emerging from 13 rape trials and one attempted rape trial. The charity says Jurats have the legal expertise to understand complex evidence.

Politicians on a scrutiny panel recommended the changes after a review of the draft law, external.

But the law society says the right to be tried by one's peers is a "fundamental principle" of the criminal justice system.

The States are due to debate the law on Tuesday.

Chris Rayner
BBC Radio Jersey Political Reporter

Politicians in Jersey will begin work on what is thought to be one of the longest agendas for many years this afternoon.

Members in the States Assembly are planning to carry on debating late into the evening most of this week, despite pleas to keep speeches short and to delay some items.

It is not often the States runs into the week of Easter, but it is a possibility if members do not manage to finish everything on the agenda by this Friday.

A few of the most important issue being debated:

• Criminal Procedure Law: A new criminal justice law for the island that will replace the existing law which is written in French
• Machinery of Government Law: It will allow for changes to the island’s civil service, changes to ministerial offices and the creation of a new legal entity for the government
• Sexual Offences Law: Major reform of Jersey’s sexual offences law has been proposed including changes to consent
• Disability Discrimination Law: The final major part of Jersey’s discrimination law which will offer greater protection
• Committee of inquiry into RNLI and Jersey government: Proposal to set up an independent committee of inquiry into the circumstances leading to the formation of the Jersey Lifeboat Association and investigate the actions taken by the RNLI

The build up of laws and propositions from private members comes just before the States will effectively dissolve before the May election. The States has been warned by the Bailiff not to rush laws through.

The first sitting will begin at 14:45.

BBC Weather Watchers

BBC Weather Watchers in Jersey have been out in force this morning to catch the snow.

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Bringing you the news, sport, travel and weather for the Channel Islands for Monday 19 to Friday 23 March

Rob England
BBC News Online

Police and health officials have been visiting expectant mothers in Jersey in their efforts to trace the mother of a baby boy left at Jersey hospital yesterday.

Officers said the baby was no more than 30 minutes old when it was left and still had the umbilical cord attached.

Acting Ch Insp Mark Coxshall urged the mother to contact a midwife on a dedicated phone line, to ensure she received medical care.

CCTV footage , externalshows what is believed to be two women walking through the Parade Gardens from the Rouge Bouillon direction at about 05:40 on Sunday.

The woman carrying the baby is seen entering the emergency department alone before leaving shortly afterwards without the baby.

The baby is described as "fit and well".

More on this story:

• Direct line to midwife set up for mother of abandoned baby
• Midwife's appeal to mother after baby left at hospital

Gareth Owen
BBC Radio Guernsey

Guernsey FC (GFC) could be playing at a purpose built stadium at Victoria Avenue, St Sampson in time for the 2021 Island Games, officials have said.

Image source, Guernsey Football Club/Guernsey Football Association

The Guernsey Football Association (GFA) in partnership with the club unveiled plans for a new stadium after submitting a planning applications to the States.

They say the facility would be used for GFC's home games and GFA representative matches, and would also provide a training facility for community use.

A spokesman for the partnership said the English Football Association had part funded the project in the form of grants, and if a planning application was successful building work could begin during 2019.

GFC chairman Mark Le Tissier said the club required its own home "to be sustainable in the long term" and to generate enough funds to participate in national competitions.

BBC Radio Jersey

"Too much uncertainty" in the system and laws on buying property in Jersey has prompted politicians to call for a review.

Image source, Getty Images

The Residential Property Transactions Review Panel says there is currently nothing to stop a buyer or seller pulling out of or renegotiating a deal "at the last minute," causing "unsatisfactory and avoidable" problems.

This is "unlike many other jurisdictions", according to the panel.

In its latest report, the panel recommends the chief minister looks at the possibility of pre-sale agreements, including a financial penalty for buyers or sellers who fail to comply with its terms.

Deputy David Johnson, who chairs the panel, said present laws were "established in the 19th Century" and there was a clear need for a "comprehensive review".

Jersey Evening Post

An overhaul of the way the civil service is run, changes to criminal procedures and improvements to maternity provisions are among the propositions due to be debated in a States sitting that could run for the whole of this week, external.

Guernsey Press

A Guernsey Railway Company bus from the 1940s could be back on the roads soon after being renovated in the country where it was built, external.

Rob England
BBC News Online

A direct phone line has been set up for the mother of a baby boy left at Jersey General Hospital yesterday morning with the umbilical cord still attached, according to the States.

The Managing Director of Children's services, Susan Devlin has urged the mother of the child to use it to contact a midwife.

Ms Devlin said the boy's mother "showed she cares about her baby's safety and welfare when she brought him to the general hospital where she knew he would receive good care".

The number is 07797 710885.

Staff at the hospital and police continue to be concerned for the mother's safety.

At a press conference over the weekend Supt James Wileman said she must have been "very desperate" to have left her child, and asked her to get in touch.

Image source, States of Jersey Police

CCTV footage , externalshows what is believed to be two women walking through the Parade Gardens from the Rouge Bouillon direction.

The woman carrying the baby is seen entering the emergency department alone before leaving shortly afterwards without the baby.

BBC Radio Guernsey

The name of Guernsey's most recently formed political group will be revealed next week.

Its founders, deputies Carl Meerveld, Peter Ferbrache and Joe Mooney will formally name the political association and branding, whilst launching a fundraising initiative.

Deputy Ferbrache says it will also form community volunteers into working groups so they can begin "building momentum".

The meeting is taking place in the Harry Bound room at Les Cotils next Thursday.

BBC Weather

Cold and windy with a mixture of sleet and snow today.

A lot of cloud this afternoon with the chance of rain and sleet pushing back in from the south east. Rather cold and breezy too.

Maximum Temperature: 0-3C (32-37F)

Jersey:

Guernsey:

BBC Radio Guernsey

Guernsey's new population laws are "peculiar" according to a Portuguese migrant working in the hospitality industry.

Joao Domingues says he may leave the island as the new laws will mean he cannot live in his own flat, and must share a house.

Mr Domingues currently has a three-year licence under the old laws, but he claims if he changes job, or gets promoted, he will have to apply for a new licence.

Paul Kilminster, from Guernsey's population management office, says they are unable to comment on individual cases, but would encourage anyone with concerns to contact them.

Guernsey’s Population Management Law, external came into force on 3 April 2017.

More on this story:

• Committee proposes 'immediate' changes to population law

Rob England
BBC News Online

All States schools and the College of Further Education are open as normal, a spokesman has said.

The States issued the advice ahead of predicted outbreaks of snow across the Channel Islands this morning.

Rob England
BBC News Online

It has started to snow in St Helier, although conditions are meant to improve later.

Rob England
BBC News Online

Staff at Jersey General Hospital have joined police in appealing for the mother of a baby boy left at the hospital on Sunday morning to come forward.

The baby still had the umbilical cord attached but was medically assessed and described as "fit and well".

Jan, a midwife at the hospital said staff were "really concerned" about the child's mother, and would like to "physically check over" her.

CCTV footage , externalshows what is believed to be two women walking through the Parade Gardens from the Rouge Bouillon direction.

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