BBC Radio Jersey

The States of Jersey must take some share of the blame for the death of its former workers from asbestos related diseases, it's been claimed.

Deputy Geoff Southern, Assistant Social Security Minister, says the States should look into better support for those affected by asbestos.

He was commenting on an appeal to the States from Brian Coutanche, who worked in construction for the island's government, who was diagnosed with mesothelioma, and has been told he has weeks to live.

Mr Coutanche wants the States to put in place a compensation scheme for the families of those with mesothelioma - a cancer caused by exposure to asbestos - similar to those currently in place in the UK and France.

Deputy Southern says the States is at the beginning of a four year programme of reform and "we will have to see where it [mesothelioma] comes on the list of priorities".

Rob England
BBC News Online

Bus passengers in Jersey will have to pay more to travel if they want to pay by cash.

From Sunday, Liberty Bus will charge 10% more for cash bought tickets, as the island's only bus company allows people to use contactless card and phone payments.

For an adult, the cash fare for a single will be £2.20 and with fares set at £1.10 for a child, but the contactless fare will remain at £2 and £1 respectively.

Supporters of the former prime minister say some of the allegations are a "near impossibility".

Jersey Evening Post

A French TV crew was recently in Jersey to report on the island's strong historical, cultural and economic links with France, external.

Rob England
BBC News Online

A plaque has been put up in Tunnell Street in St Helier, in memory of a toddler who died after being hit by a van two years ago this week.

Three-year-old Clinton Pringle, who was on holiday in Jersey from Scotland, died from his injuries days after the accident near the Millennium Park, St Helier, in June 2016.

Driver Rebekah Le Gal later received an eight month suspended sentence after admitting causing death by careless driving.

She was cleared of the more serious charge of causing death by dangerous driving.

More on this story:

• Clinton Pringle death: 'My son didn't know where to run'

Chris Quevatre
BBC News Online

The Committee for Economic Development have had their future plans approved by the States of Guernsey.

The economic development strategy, external was voted through by a big margin, although one of the amendments crept through by a single vote.

Deputy Jennifer Merritt's amendment - which means the committee will have to prioritise its aims and put a time line on them - went through by 18 votes to 17.

You can listen to live commentary of the States on BBC Radio Guernsey.

BBC Radio Guernsey

Plans to extend Guernsey's runway, external have been put forward by a politician in order to allow larger planes to land.

Deputy Jan Kuttelwascher wants to add 351ft (107m) to increase the current available runway length from 4799ft (1463m) to 5150ft (1570m) for take off and landing.

He says the current runway does not allow planes such as an Airbus A319, which is used by airlines British Airways and EasyJet who fly to Jersey, to land.

Mr Kuttelwascher says the increased length would also mean airlines could reduce "payload penalties" for flights to destinations such as Barcelona.

He says it would also allow some planes that currently use the runway to fly further distances with more passengers.

Rob England
BBC News Online

It was a busy day for RNLI crews in Jersey, who were called out four times on Wednesday.

Just after 14:00 the all-weather lifeboat helped escort a boat back to the harbour that had taken on water near Noirmont.

Later on at about 18:00 the St Helier inshore lifeboat crew was called to help four paddle boarders in St Aubin’s bay who were thought to have been blown offshore by strong winds.

But as the crew launched the coastguard called them to help two groups of swimmers at Elizabeth Castle and near Elizabeth Marina who were caught in challenging conditions. One of the groups was later brought on board and returned to shore, the other was contacted but did not need any assistance.

Crews then made their way to the paddleboarders, who had already made their way to the shore.

Johanna Carr
BBC News Online

Supporters of Sir Edward Heath have said there is no evidence the former UK prime minister was in Guernsey at the time of an alleged sexual assault on a 15-year-old boy.

The allegation - one of seven that Wiltshire Police decided would have led to the late Conservative politician being interviewed under caution - is said to have taken place in 1967 on the island while Sir Edward was leader of the opposition.

In a briefing document handed to peers ahead of a House of Lords debate on Thursday, supporters of Sir Edward and members of the Sir Edward Heath Charitable Foundation say they have looked at his diaries for the year - and at Guernsey newspaper archives - and found no evidence he was there.

The document says: "We cannot identify a period in a crowded and fully documented diary when a visit to Guernsey might have been fitted in."

Guernsey Press

St Stephen's and St John’s churches have been added to the protected building register, leaving St Mary’s as the only Anglican church without that status, external.

Jersey Evening Post

A Jersey scientist is endeavouring to take part in a different outdoor activity every day in July to try to inspire Islanders to reconnect with the great outdoors, external.

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BBC Radio Jersey

The parish of St Helier could step in to save a care home in Jersey with an uncertain future after the religious group which runs it made the decision to leave the island.

The Little Sisters of the Poor say they cannot find enough nuns to run the Jeanne Jugan Residence, on St John's Road, and the current sisters are becoming too old to perform their duties.

The Catholic Dean of Jersey says another group linked to the Catholic Church is hoping to take over the care home, and is currently in discussions as to its future.

But Constable Simon Crowcroft says he is keeping an eye on developments, and would not want to see the home disappear.

Image source, Google

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Stephanie Gabbatt
BBC Radio Guernsey

Visit Guernsey has been given £215,000 to capitalise on the UK and US digital release of the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society film.

The money's been invested by the Committee for Economic Development and the Policy & Resources Committee.

The States has invested over £500,000 capitalising on the film.

After exploiting the theatrical release of the film, Visit Guernsey wants to work with Studio Canal on the DVD and Blu-Ray release this summer in the UK and US.

It'll also appear on Netflix in the USA.

Deputy Dawn Tindall said the film has already generated international awareness for Guernsey, increasing visitor numbers in April and May.

She said the additional funds awarded by the Policy and Resources Committee will now allow Visit Guernsey to go on air with TV and digital advertising, using the message "visit the island that inspired the film".

BBC Weather

Early cloud will break to leave another dry and sunny day with lots of sunshine.

It will be a warm, albeit fairly breezy day with moderate to fresh north-easterly winds.

Maximum temperature: 21 to 24C (70 to 75F).

Jersey:

Guernsey:

The Times

Sir Edward Heath does not appear to have been on Guernsey at the time of an alleged assault on a 15-year-old boy that was included in Wiltshire Police’s abuse inquiry report, according to a new evidence dossier, external.

Hayden Atkins
Reporter, BBC Radio Guernsey

Guernsey's strategy for Economic Development is yet to be voted through the States.

It promises to deliver growth and productivity over the coming 12 years, but after a mixed day of praise and criticism on Wednesday, a vote is yet to take place.

One thing that was agreed on was an amendment by Deputy Jennifer Merrett which will ensure that the Committee for Economic Development prioritises its aims and puts a time frame on them.

What else happened on Wednesday?

In a contested election with Jeremy Smithies, Deputy Peter Ferbrache won a second round of voting to become the president of the States Trading Supervisory Board.

And the President of the Committee for Health and Social Care assured islanders who've had scans or orthopedic operations postponed, that those waiting lists are being tackled by the appointment of locums and new staff.

The States return at 09:30 for another day of debate - which will end on a policy to address deputies perceived conflicts of interest.

BBC Weather

After a warm and sunny evening it will stay dry through tonight with clear skies.

It is also expected to continue to be fairly breezy through the night, with a lot of sunshine again tomorrow.

Euan Mahy
BBC Radio Guernsey

The administration involved in enacting wills in Guernsey will be transferred to the Royal Court by January 2019, the island's senior politician has said.

The Ecclesiastic Court currently takes a 0.35% cut, which it says pays for the service, with any additional cash paid into Guernsey's Deanery Fund - which contributes towards charitable projects in the island.

Deputy Gavin St Pier said Guernsey is one of only a few places in the world where probate is granted by an ecclesiastical court.

He said the system itself works well, but having it administered by the church is no longer "desirable".

Recently an islander said she did not want money from her mother's estate to go to the church, and would rather it went to the States.

Deputy St Pier said the transfer of the powers "in no way" reflected on the way the church had been running the service.