Summary

  • Updates from Monday 11 June until Friday 15 June 2018

Live Reporting

  1. Open skies 'not the right approach'

    Chris Quevatre
    BBC News Online

    Plans for an open skies approach on some of Guernsey's air links must have been "changed at the last minute", according to the chairman of Aurigny.

    Andrew Haining said the States-owned airline had been led to believe that a "slightly different variation" of the policy was going to be published.

    On Monday it was announced the States would be asked to maintain the Guernsey to Gatwick and Guernsey to Alderney routes as lifeline services, while opening up all other routes to competition.

    "It would have been great if we'd had more advanced notice of what they were thinking about."

    "The open skies approach - which has received all the headlines - is not the right approach."

    Andrew Haining

    The reason we exist in the manner with which we do is because open skies could not deliver to the island what it wanted. What we're perfectly prepared to do - and will obviously want to do - with economic development, is look at how we can take in and incorporate some of what they're talking about, whilst at the same time ensuring that we don't undermine the basis of which Aurigny can continue to provide the regular, cost-effective service to Gatwick that it currently does."

    Andrew Haining

  2. Housing: Stop this dithering

    Guernsey Press

    Decisions need to be made swiftly on a new housing strategy, industry figures have said, as they bemoaned its lack of progress.

  3. States member backs cannabis decriminalisation

    Chris Quevatre
    BBC News Online

    Decriminalising cannabis possession and use would help keep "innocent people" from getting a criminal record, according to an Alderney States member.

    The island's politicians will later be asked their views on the production, consumption, licensing and criminalisation of cannabis.

    Steve Roberts said it's not fair that someone who may smoke a small amount of cannabis with their friends can end up with a criminal record.

    He added that people needed to understand the difference between decriminalisation and legalisation before they join the debate.

    Cannabis plantGetty Images

  4. Honorary police system 'needs to be reviewed'

    BBC Radio Jersey

    The honorary police system in Jersey needs to be reviewed so that it can continue to offer a good service, according to a Jersey advocate.

    Honorary police are volunteers, required in every parish, who hold similar powers to regular officers.

    Advocate Philip Sinel said the problems some parishes have in recruiting officers and the lack of respect they sometimes face means the system no longer works the way it should.

    But he said it's important to keep the voluntary nature of the honorary police, because they take on a lot of important work which saves the island money - for example by holding parish hall inquiries for minor offences.

  5. Guernsey volunteers evidence to tax avoidance inquiry

    BBC Radio Guernsey

    Evidence submitted by the States of Guernsey to a UK inquiry on tax avoidance has been published.

    Policy and Resources, the island's most senior committee, said it wanted to contribute so the UK government understood how Guernsey is contributing to global efforts of combating tax evasion and avoidance.

    The committee wasn't requested to give evidence but decided to submit written evidence.

    The documents published include evidence Guernsey is a "well-regulated, transparent financial centre", with an "effective register of beneficial ownership of companies".

  6. New director general for children's department

    Chris Quevatre
    BBC News Online

    A former head teacher has been appointed as the interim director general for Jersey's new Department for Children, Young People, Education and Skills.

    Mark Rogers joins the States this week after spending 16 years as a teacher and head teacher, before working in children's services and local government.

    Part of his job will involve speeding up the completion of the recommendations of the Independent Jersey Care Inquiry.

    The inquiry looked at the abuse suffered in Jersey care homes over decades.

    Mark RogersStates of Jersey

    I have spent the vast majority of my working life serving the educational and welfare needs of children, and I have first-hand experience of the problems and pressures that affect childcare, both as a public employee and as a local authority senior leader. I’m excited to be joining Jersey at this critical time, when I can use my experience to press forward with the reforms that are needed to children’s services and with the education and skills agenda, to help children and young people to fulfil their potential.

    Mark Rogers, Interim Director General, Department for Children, Young People, Education and Skills

  7. Frankenstamps to commemorate 200th anniversary

    Chris Quevatre
    BBC News Online

    Jersey Post is issuing a new set of stamps with a particularly intriguing theme.

    The stamps will commemorate the 200th anniversary of Mary Shelley publishing her book Frankenstein.

    FrankensteinJersey Post

    It's like looking in the mirror when I first get up in the morning.

    Rachel MacKenzie, from Jersey Post, said: "Frankenstein is such a hugely influential novel that to this day, it is still studied in schools and universities all over the world.

    "Our aim was to stay as true to the book as possible, depicting the creature as Shelley describes him, being eight foot tall with yellow eyes as well as yellow skin tightly covering his muscles and arteries and with lustrous, flowing black hair, black lips and prominent white teeth."

    StampsJersey Post

    The stamps will be available from Monday.

  8. Upgrading airline fleet ‘could cut fog delays’

    Guernsey Press

    Fog delays could be halved if Aurigny were to invest in new aircraft, the airline has said.

  9. Jersey shops opt to go plastic-free

    Jersey Evening Post

    Two Jersey businesses have joined a growing movement across the world by committing to become the first plastic-free shops in the Island.

  10. Aurigny chairman: 'From me directly, I apologise'

    Chris Quevatre
    BBC News Online

    Aurigny has started to look at changing its re-booking system, according to its chairman, after a woman missed her grandmother's funeral yesterday due to a first-come first-serve policy.

    After an hour-long delay, Fae Clerey, her husband and newborn baby were told they would no longer be able to fly to Guernsey due to a lighting problem at the island's airport.

    The airline then operated a first-come first-serve system to re-book cancelled passengers on flights the next morning, a process which Mrs Clerey said can leave the most vulnerable people at the back of the queue.

    Aurigny

    Aurigny chairman Andrew Haining said the States-owned airline is already looking at ways to amend the re-booking system, which generally takes place when passengers have already boarded an aircraft which is then cancelled.

    Mrs Clerey said there were several disabled or injured passengers which didn't make it to the ticket desk in time to get a ticket for the following morning - while she was late to the ticket desk because she was travelling with her newborn baby for the first time.

    Mr Haining said disability and accessibility issues are "absolutely fundamental" to Aurigny, and personally apologised for the situation that occurred on Monday night.

    From me directly, I apologise. We do have circumstances which are beyond our control. That was not our fault in terms of that particular situation, and I'm afraid that when a situation like that occurs, systems to support it aren't necessarily in the right place at the right time. Unashamedly we would like to do better, and we will look at the issue that is highlighted here. We will look at the process for giving precedence to people in those circumstances.

    Andrew Haining, Aurigny chairman

  11. Nazi symbols are removed

    Chris Quevatre
    BBC News Online

    A member of the Channel Islands Occupation Society has removed the Nazi symbols that were spray painted on to German bunkers at Noirmont.

    Jersey police are appealing for information after a memorial to Russian slave workers who suffered during German occupation was vandalised with 68 swastikas.

    Nazi symbolsShane Boschat

    States of Jersey Police said they believe it happened between 18:00 on 8 June and 08:00 on 10 June.

    Tony Pike, who's been a member of the society since the 70s, said it took him four hours to scrub the graffiti off.

    He said he wanted to remove them urgently because they were so offensive.

  12. Aurigny report: Costs in numbers

    Chris Quevatre
    BBC News Online

    Aurigny's annual report and financial accounts are released today.

    Here's a breakdown of the costs of running an airline in the Channel Islands:

    • Fuel - £4.2m
    • Aircraft maintenance - £7.3m
    • Landing fees, aerodrome charges and navigation - £15.9m
    • Flight crew salaries and expenses - £6.7m
    • Station and ground expenses - £3.4m
    • Ticketing, sales and promotions - £1.6m
    • Aircraft insurance - £0.3m
    • Aircraft leases - £1.6m

    Aurigny

  13. States of Jersey being sued for £238m

    Chris Quevatre
    BBC News Online

    Two young people suing Jersey's government for £238m claim more should have been done to protect them from abuse.

    The two victims have been referred to at Jersey Magistrate's Court as Plaintiff 2 and Plaintiff 3.

    They're represented by Advocate David Benest, who referred to a doctor's statement describing them as "the most damaged children that she knew of in Jersey".

    Child abuseGetty Images

    Giving the background to the claim, Advocate Benest said the young people should have been removed from their surroundings and adopted.

    He said the result of them not being removed was that they were subjected to sexual and physical abuse, and physical and emotional neglect.

    Plaintiff 2 is claiming £121m from the States of Jersey, while Plaintiff 3 is claiming £117m.

  14. Aurigny report: 'Significant savings' forecast

    Chris Quevatre
    BBC News Online

    Guernsey's States-owned airline is anticipating "significant savings over the next 10 years from the investment in new aircraft".

    Aurigny has published its 2017 Accounts and Annual Report, and said it was a year in which the airline made important progress in several key areas of the business - despite losing £5.2m.

    Aurigny

    The cost of weather-related disruption was high in 2017, with more than 60 days of disruption in the year, including knock-on effects.

    The airline said new enhanced vision technology that is becoming available could make a significant difference and they're in discussions with aircraft manufacturers.

    Aurigny made losses of £5.2m for 2017, less than previously forecast in the middle of the year.

  15. All-weather lifeboat for Jersey arrives in island

    BBC Spotlight

    The Jersey Lifeboat Association's first all-weather boat has arrived in the island.

    lifeboat

    The new service was set up after a dispute with the RNLI and the former St Helier crew. The RNLI Lifeboat Station has since reopened with a new crew.

    lifeboat

    The chairman of the new Jersey lifeboat service says it's "still important to have a local independent resource".

    quote box

  16. Guernsey weather: Sunny periods, risk of mist

    Chris Quevatre
    BBC News Online

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  17. Jersey weather: Sunny periods, cloudy spells

    Chris Quevatre
    BBC News Online

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  18. Alderney debates decriminalising cannabis

    BBC Radio Guernsey

    Members of the States of Alderney will later be asked their views on the production, consumption, licensing and criminalisation of cannabis.

    Cannabis

    As global opinions towards cannabis change, commercial opportunities are opening up, for cultivating and processing the drug for medicinal purposes - and Alderney maybe able to benefit, officials claim.

    That's why the States of Alderney has been asked to debate the current legal status of cannabis in the Bailiwick.

    THC-free cannabis - that's the drug without the psychoactive element - is legally used for medicinal purposes in 29 of the 50 US States, in Canada, the Czech Republic and Israel.

    But the Policy and Finance Committee also wants members to discuss decriminalising possession and revising penalties for dealing the drug recreationally.

    It says many people believe it's not an effective way to prevent addiction, and drug addiction should be treated as a health issue. The debate will take place this evening, but no vote is expected.

  19. CI weather: Clear spells ahead with Wednesday looking dry

    BBC Weather

    Tonight looks set to remain dry across the islands with clear spells and variable amounts of cloud. Winds will be mostly light.

    Minimum temperature: 13C (55F).

    Wednesday is expected to remain dry with some sunshine, as well as a few areas of cloud. The sunshine is likely to become hazy late in the day.

    Maximum temperature: 17C (62F).

    Jersey:

    weather temperatures

    Guernsey:

    weather temperatures

  20. Woman who misses funeral critical of airline

    Chris Quevatre
    BBC News Online

    A woman who missed her grandmother's funeral after a flight from London to Guernsey was cancelled has criticised the way Aurigny re-books its flights.

    After an hour-long delay, Fae Clerey was sitting on the aircraft with her husband and newborn baby last night when the passengers were told they would no longer be able to fly to Guernsey due to a lighting problem at the island's airport.

    The States-owned airline then operated a first-come first-serve system to re-book cancelled passengers on flights the next morning, a process which Mrs Clerey said can leave the most vulnerable people at the back of the queue.

    Aurigny aircraft

    "The people who needed special assistance were left completely by themselves - they were left to the last minute.

    "There was a woman in a wheelchair, there was also a man with a broken leg and another woman with an injured ankle."

    "All of those people clearly couldn't get to the ticket desk fast enough, which meant that - because we were last in line - the options for flights were minimal."

    Having never flown with a baby before, Mrs Clerey said it took her and her husband a while to disembark and make their way to the desk inside the Gatwick terminal.

    "When we eventually did get to the front of the counter we said to them, 'We've got a funeral to get to, we've got a small baby, we can't just wait in Gatwick Airport, we haven't got any supplies for him', and they just said, 'It's first-come, first-serve."

    An Aurigny spokesman apologised for the "unplanned and unexpected" disruption.

    As an airline, we will always try our best to get passengers where they need to be and regularly review how we handle disruption and look at how improvements can be made. We are happy to look into this further and would once again like to apologise for the disruption.”

    Aurigny