Rob England
BBC News Online

Deputy Rod Bryans says he is "happy" to return to his role as Education Minister after being found not to have breached the code of conduct for elected members.

An investigation was launched following a formal complaint by health minister, Senator Andrew Green, earlier this year - prompting him to step aside.

He was replaced by housing minister Deputy Anne Pryke during the investigation.

The complaint alleged improper behaviour towards female members of staff.

Paul Kernaghan, States of Jersey's commissioner for standards, concluded Deputy Bryans had not breached the code of conduct for States members, but said he was "satisfied" Senator Green was "duty bound" to put the complaint forward.

"It is vital to public confidence that elected Members are held to account and operate to the highest professional standards," he added.

BBC Radio Jersey

There should be "more flexibility" in what islanders in Jersey are able to do to their listed buildings without planning permission, a minister has said.

The Environment Minister, Deputy Steve Luce, said a 2016 consultation found people wanted to be able to install "less contentious" items such as play equipment, sheds, gates and fences, decking, satellite dishes and solar panels, without having to go to the States.

Mr Luce says he is working on a set of proposals which will "strike a balance" between regulation and freedom to make changes.

The proposals mainly relate to works in people's homes.

Of the applications made in 2016 affecting listed buildings, 84% were approved; 9% were refused; and 7% were withdrawn.

A French billionaire steps in to rescue the house where Les Miserables was written.

Rob England
BBC News Online

A Jersey politician has been cleared over allegations he breached the code of conduct for elected members.

Deputy Rod Bryans stepped aside as education minister in February whilst the investigation took place.

The complaint was lodged by Senator Andrew Green after an anonymous letter alleged improper behaviour with women.

Mr Bryans has been invited by Jersey's chief minister to resume his role.

Rob England
BBC News Online

A fisherman who rescued two people from a burning boat has been praised by Jersey's harbour master.

The small vessel caught fire just outside St Helier harbour yesterday afternoon.

RNLI and fire service crews witnessed several small explosions on the vessel as flares and gas cylinders were set off by the flames.

Jersey's harbour master, Bill Sadler, expressed his gratitude to the fisherman who rescued the vessel's crew, who were uninjured.

He said the States of Jersey's tug - the Duke of Normandy - which is equipped with water pumps, was requested, but was not required as the situation was dealt with by fire crews quickly.

The fire service is investigating the cause of the blaze.

Image source, RNLI

Rob England
BBC News Online

The "local impact" of the UK's new soft drinks sugar tax will be monitored by the States of Guernsey, politicians have said.

Image source, Getty Images

Soft drinks with a high sugar content are subject to the new tax in the UK from today, and companies can face extra charges of up to 24p a litre.

The law was introduced to prompt drinks firms to reduce sugar content in their products, and campaigners say it has already proved a success.

The levy is being applied to manufacturers - whether they pass it on to consumers or not is up to them.

A States spokesman said: "The impact sugary drinks have on the health of populations has been recognised through Guernsey and Alderney's Healthy Weight Strategy."

"The Committee for Health & Social Care has investigated whether Guernsey should introduce a similar sugar tax, however it has decided against pursuing such a move at this stage given the introduction of the UK levy," the spokesman added.

Twitter

BBC Radio Guernsey

A rare species of ant is in danger of being "smothered" by an invasive plant species in Guernsey, conservationists say.

The Guernsey Conservation Volunteers is helping to preserve the black backed wood ant, Formica pratensis, in the island, which no longer exists in the UK.

Angela Salmon, from the volunteers, says their habitat is being "smothered" by Hottentot Fig in the Tielle area on the South coast.

Ms Salmon says if it is allowed to spread it is "probable" the rare ants' hives will be lost.

Image source, Guernsey Biological Records Centre

Formica pratensis facts:

• The species is extinct in the United Kingdom but can be found along Guernsey's south cliffs, between Pleinmont and Icart
• It's under threat in Guernsey – there are only approximately 60 nests, according to Guernsey's Biological Records Centre
• They are under threat from disturbance, invasive species and encroachment of scrub
• Each ant can grow up to 9.5mm in length

BBC Radio Guernsey

Deputy John Gollop has joined a political group in Guernsey.

Deputy Gollop is currently the president of the Development and Planning Authority, as well as a member of the Committee for Employment and Social Security and the island's Transport Licensing Authority.

He is the second deputy this week to join the association.

More on this story:

• Deputy Paint joins Islanders Association
• Islanders Association defends funding request

• Political groups: 'No need for funding watchdog'
• Guernsey 'political association': What are its aims?
• Is party politics 'inevitable' in Guernsey?

BBC Radio Jersey

An environmental group in Jersey has welcomed the decision to reject plans for 65 new homes for first time buyers on green zone land.

States-owned housing company Andium applied to build the homes in fields opposite the George de Carteret pub in St Peter's Village.

Jersey's Planning Minister, Deputy Steve Luce, refused the application, saying planners should avoid building on green fields.

Nigel Jones, who chairs the group Jersey in Transition said the fields could have been lost "for generations."

The group has released a "manifesto" ahead of the general election on 16 May, calling for candidates to tackle what it claims to be "environmental issues" in Jersey, including poor soil and water quality.

However, Mr Jones stressed the group was not a political party.

Jersey Evening Post

Only four companies have so far signed up to be living wage employers in Jersey since the benchmark rate of pay was introduced in the island two years ago, it has emerged, external.

Brent Pilnick
BBC Sport

Jersey Reds make just two changes to their side for Sunday's trip to Yorkshire Carnegie in the Championship.

Props Roy Godfrey and Lee-Roy Atalifo come into the side after last week's British and Irish Cup quarter-final win over Doncaster Knights.

Image source, Jacqueline Ranieri

Jersey boss Harvey Biljon says he will give his squad the chance to stake their claim for a place in the semi-final with Leinster later this month: "The players want to perform, there's no doubt about that and if you talk to anyone in the group they want to go out there and continue to maintain the momentum," he told BBC Radio Jersey.

"For us as a management team, and it's discussed with the players, we've looked at it differently over the next two weeks. We want to give all the players the best opportunity to be as game ready, as game sharp as possible."

Jersey: Van Breda (co-capt); Pincus, Ma'afu, Best, Worrall; Cope, Hardy; Godfrey (co-capt), Selway, Atalifo, Sexton, Bartle, Argyle, Joyce, Rogerson

Replacements: Saunders, Clarey, Armstrong, Kolo'ofa'i, Upfield, Dudley, Eastwell

Jersey Evening Post

A former Royal Navy training school in St Martin could be converted into two cottages, if planning permission is granted to develop the Grade 4 listed buildings, external.

Guernsey Press

Coastal erosion between Fort Doyle and Fort Le Marchant in the Vale should be a higher priority for Environment & Infrastructure, the Vale Commons Council has said, external.

Guernsey's Lucy Beere says the Commonwealth Games was a step too far after winning the World Cup in March.

Naomi Dunning
BBC Radio Jersey, Reporter

A 37-year-old Polish man has appeared in Jersey Magistrate's Court charged with grave and criminal assault following a jet ski crash in St Brelade's Bay last year.

The incident happened on 9 July 2017.

Michal Bartlomiej Dorynek, from St Helier, was also charged with using a dangerous, unsafe ship, using a ship recklessly and in a manner that was dangerous and failing to report what had happened to the harbour master.

The case was adjourned and he will next appear at Jersey’s Magistrates Court on April 20th.

Rob England
BBC News Online

Following a turbulent year the RNLI's chief executive says the charity has an "unconditional commitment" to Jersey.

The former RNLI's St Helier crew were "stood down" and the station closed for a period in November.

Paul Boissier, the RNLI’s chief executive said the charity's "continued efforts to rebuild the RNLI's service from St Helier" was evidence it hoped to maintain "an excellent lifesaving service".

States members recently voted not to launch a public enquiry into a breakdown in the relationship between the charity and the former crew.

More on this story:

• 'No point' having two lifeboats in St Helier
• 'Conflict' claims over RNLI report 'serious' - deputy
• Deputy slams calls for public inquiry into RNLI row

Brent Pilnick
BBC Sport

Jersey's Bonita Shurmur has qualified for the final of the women's all-around gymnastics at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

The 18-year-old was 20th in qualifying with a score of 44.150.

Image source, Morag Obarska

She is the first Jersey female gymnast ever to make the all-around women's final.

She will compete alongside fellow islander Daniel Lee on Saturday after he made the men's all around final on Thursday.

Rob England
BBC News Online

Roadworks will close a road in St Peter Port this weekend, according to the States.

Resurfacing works are taking place on The Grange and the road will be closed to traffic between the Doyle Road traffic lights and the Upland Road traffic lights from 07:00 on Saturday morning, until 07:00 on Monday.

A spokesman said traffic heading up The Grange would be diverted along Upland Road, Arsenal Road and Doyle Road, with traffic heading into St Peter Port diverted via Brock Road and Candie Road.

Drivers are advised to use alternative routes into St Peter Port, and allow extra time for their journeys.

Rob England
BBC News Online

A French billionaire has donated €3m (£2.6m) to support the restoration of Victor Hugo's House in Guernsey.

It was given by Francois Pinault, founder of Kering, a luxury and sporting goods company, whose net worth is measured by Bloomberg, external at about $27.8bn.

Image source, Visit Guernsey

The donation to the City of Paris - who own Hauteville House in St Peter Port - will support its restoration, which includes work on the conservatory, the roof, the lookout, repairs to the external south elevation and the terrace.

Hugo, a French author and poet spent 15 years in exile in Guernsey after a coup d'etat by Napoleon III in France. During his time at Hauteville House he wrote Les Miserables and Toilers of the Sea.