BBC Radio Jersey

A Jersey senator who prompted the States to ask retailers to stop applying 20% VAT to islanders has said he is "pleased" with the progress being made.

Customers in Jersey do not have to pay the tax, external, which goes straight to the UK Treasury, but some companies still apply it instead of the correct 5% GST, external. Currently islanders have to contact the retailer to get the tax removed.

In an update to the plans, which were passed in the 2018 budget, external, the States said it had contacted the UK Treasury, UK retailers and the British Retail Consortium.

However, the report also said there was a risk UK retailers would "simply ignore the concerns", remove the VAT but continue to charge the UK price or "cease selling goods to Jersey consumers".

Senator Philip Ozouf said changes would not be made overnight, but it was important to reduce the cost of living for islanders.

BBC Radio Guernsey

Toilets could be reinstalled in Guernsey's Market Square if new plans are approved.

The proposals, by Bailiwick Estates, include adding benches with charging points, an outdoor eating area and wi-fi.

If given the go-ahead, islanders could see the new facilities by the summer, organisers said.

Managing Director of Bailiwick Estates Sonia Taylor said more money needed to be invested in St Peter Port.

"I think the town has suffered from the movement of offices to out-of-town places. That has had a huge affect on how many people are on the high street and in the area over their lunch hours."

BBC Radio Jersey

Overseas companies shipping to Jersey should remove Value Added Tax, external (VAT) and add the correct local tax instead, the island's government has said.

The 20% charge is not applicable in Jersey but some retailers still apply it and ask their customers to contact them to have it removed.

After the States voted to try and change this in the 2018 budget, the Treasury Department and Jersey Post started contacting firms which regularly ship to the island, requesting they remove the tax and add a 5% Goods and Services Tax, external instead.

However a States report on its progress enforcing the decision said: "Jersey has no power to enforce UK VAT rules on UK businesses.

"Any changes that occur as a result of this work will be on a purely voluntary basis."

BBC Radio Guernsey

The island premiere of the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society took place at Beau Sejour last night.

The film - based on the bestselling novel by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows - premiered in London earlier this week.

The film sees Lily James (star of Darkest Hour, Baby Driver, Downtown Abbey, Cinderella) play writer Juliet Ashton, who meets a book club formed during the German occupation of the island during World War Two, and later decides to write a book about it.

Film director Mike Newall said it brought the occupation to a new audience.

"It's domestic," he said, "It's the women's stories, it's how you managed to live through five years of occupation with no sugar, no radio, no anything - and they got through.

"That, I think, is an absolutely undiscovered country, and it's a very good story to tell."

Commenting on the premiere, Guernsey's top politician, Gavin St Pier, said he was "proud" for the island to be at the heart of the film.

Del Crookes
BBC News Online

Four new sailings between Jersey and Guernsey have been announced for 2019 to help people get to inter-island sports fixtures.

Condor said the extra services had been launched after work by Jersey Sport and the Guernsey Sports Commission, in consultation with local clubs and associations.

Sailings on Sunday 10 March and Saturday 6 April have been scheduled to allow day-long activities in Jersey, while Sunday 24 March and Sunday 12 May have been selected for day trips to Guernsey.

Image source, Getty Images

Brent Pilnick
BBC Sport

Guernsey shooter Stefan Roberts is one shot off the qualifying places after the opening round of qualification for the men's double trap.

The Sark-based marksman is in 12th place after the first two round, with the top six going through.

He dropped just one shot in the opening round, but four misses in the second sees him on a score 45 out of 50.

Image source, Guernsey Commonwealth Games Association

Compatriot Darren Burtenshaw is three shots further back in 24th position.

The duo will shoot three rounds in the second half of qualifying at 00:30 on Saturday, with the final at 06:30.

BBC Weather

This morning is expected to be dry with cloud gradually clearing to leave sunny spells.

This afternoon should stay dry with sunny spells and light winds.

Maximum Temperature: 9 to 12C (48 to 54F).

Jersey:

Guernsey:

Brent Pilnick
BBC Sport

Jersey runner Elliott Dorey says he is unhappy with how he performed in the 1500m heats at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

The 23-year-old, who won an appeal to race at the Gold Coast in January, was last in his heat and second slowest overall in a time of 3:52.75.

Image source, PA

"I'm a bit disappointed with how I ran because I got pipped late," he told BBC Radio Jersey.

"I basically said 'put my faith in me and I'll do it on the day' and I haven't performed.

"Other people have been left at home who would probably have performed better, so I'm pretty disappointed in myself really."

Jersey's Elliott Dorey says he is unhappy with how he ran in the 1500m heats at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Del Crookes
BBC News Online

A house in St Helier has been damaged by a fire.

Two fire engines were called to the blaze, which started on the first floor of the property, just after 13:00.

Image source, Jersey Fire & Rescue

The family, their pet dog and a cat were all accounted for after the fire and a ventilation fan was used to clear the house of the remaining smoke.

An initial investigation highlighted a faulty rechargeable speaker as the most probable cause of the blaze.

Image source, Jersey Fire & Rescue

Crew Commander Andy Gallie said: "This incident has once again highlighted the importance of a working smoke alarm, as it was this which initially alerted the occupiers to a developing fire within the bedroom.

"Jersey Fire & Rescue would like to commend the actions of the household in closing the door to the fire room, which significantly reduced smoke damage to the rest of the property, prior to leaving the house and raising the alarm."

BBC Weather

Mainly dry this evening with clear spells.

It is then likely to turn rather cloudy through tonight with the chance of a few light showers.

Minimum Temperature: 7 to 10C (45 to 50F).

On Friday there will be spells of sunshine once again through the day, but also the risk of a few showers, which may be locally sharp.

Maximum Temperature: 9 to 12C (48 to 54F).

BBC Radio Jersey

The proposed seaplane service between Guernsey and Jersey will make St Helier harbour a "less safe place", says the chairman of the St Helier Boat Owners Association.

William Simpson says it will cause significant disruption with the planes having to negotiate lots of hazards in the harbour.

The Channel Island Air Regulators have given Clear Harbour Airways permission to operate, but further permissions are needed.

Ports of Jersey said the island's harbour master would only allow a service to operate on the condition that it is safe to do so and has commissioned an independent safety assessment - funded by the seaplane operator.

A spokesman for Clear Harbour Airways said there would be an increase in the Small Roads if the 10 times a day service went ahead, but this had been considered by the harbour authorities.

BBC Radio Guernsey

Police are investigating a burglary which took place in Les Camps, St Martin, on Monday, 2 April.

Officers say they are aware of reports there were suspicious people seen in the area in the early hours.

Anyone with information regarding the burglary or any suspicious activity is being asked to contact CID.

Police say they would like to remind people to remain vigilant and to lock all doors and windows, securing anything that may be in gardens or sheds.

BBC Radio Guernsey

Guernsey residents are being encouraged to make sure they are aware of the symptoms of Meningitis.

The Committee for Health and Social Care (HSC) issued advice following a number of reports on social media about the infection.

HSC's Lead Nurse for Infection and Prevention, Kay Bull, says islanders need to be "vigilant" and watch out for a few key symptoms such as:

• High temperature
• Headache
• Joint stiffness
• Neck stiffness
• Drowsiness
• Sensitive to light

Ms Bull says islanders should be aware of the symptoms and seek help if they experience them.

John Fernandez
BBC Radio Guernsey

Its hoped land reforms in Sark will unlock the economic capital of land that can be invested in the local economy.

Currently people in Sark who own land cannot borrow money against it.

But the Chairman of Sark's Finance Committee, Conseiller Sebastien Moerman, says liberalisation of land ownership will be "managed carefully".

Chief Pleas approved the measures at its Easter meeting yesterday.

Guernsey Press

Free-standing retail units offering local produce could be installed in the Market building following consultation with the Market Action Group, external.

BBC Radio Jersey

Traders say some businesses may think twice about investing in their stores because of Jersey's new retail tax.

Bigger stores will pay 20% retail tax after a move to reduce the rate to 10% failed in Jersey's States. Voting on the motion was tied at 24-24, meaning it was not carried through.

David Elliot, who chairs the Jersey Retail Association says the States could lose more money through a reduction in sales than they will gain from the new tax.

Previously the Treasury Minister, Senator Alan Maclean, disputed claims the cost would be passed on to shoppers, and said the island had a "competitive retail landscape."

More on this story:

• Jersey retailers to face 20% tax on profits
• Jersey retail tax 'extremely damaging'
• Chamber of commerce blasts new retail tax

Naomi Dunning
BBC Radio Jersey, Reporter

Plans to allow the States to force the sale of land , externaland make way for the new Les Quennevais School will be put before the new States Assembly in June.

The Education Department wants to build Les Quennevais School on fields in St Brelade, the development is due to cost £45m.

The department is now seeking permission to force the sale through if "a fair and proper price" is not agreed with landowners. The government is also offering to pay "reasonable legal expenses" towards the sale.

A spokesman said construction of a new school was needed to replace the existing school, which was "reaching the end of its useful life."

Previously a Jersey couple claimed they had been bullied by the States to sell their land to make way for a new school. The compulsory purchase order will be debated on 26 June.

Image source, States of Jersey

More on this story:

• Education offers to meet over compulsory purchase
• First lessons at new Les Quennevais School in 2020
• New Les Quennevais School building approved by planners

BBC Radio Guernsey

Carpetright's Guernsey and Jersey stores will remain open after the company announced it was closing 92 shops and cutting 300 jobs across the UK.

The closures are part of a restructuring plan following tough trading conditions.

The company, which has more than 400 UK shops, announced the move in response to a series of profit warnings. It said it would raise £60m through a placing of new shares, which would raise money to cut debt and pay for the restructuring plan.

The chain is planning a company voluntary arrangement, external (CVA) that will allow it to shut the worst-performing stores and ask for rent concessions on another 113 sites.

More on this story:

• Six reasons behind the High Street crisis
• High Street stores open at lowest rate in seven years