Bringing you the news, sport, travel and weather for the Channel Islands

Rob Byrne
BBC News Online

A reduction in the number of public sector workers in Jersey will contribute to saving £30m next year, the island's chief minister has announced.

Senator John Le Fondré told members of Jersey's Chamber of Commerce, external he was "taking action" after Monday's draft budget forecast a deficit of up to £40m by 2020-23.

He said some of those savings would be achieved through "a permanent reduction in the size of the States’ workforce".

"I should point out that the States is currently carrying around 600 vacancies, and has a staff turnover rate of 12%, so responsible headcount management is a realistic and pragmatic approach," he said.

The rest of the savings would come through modernising the States, he added.

On Tuesday, Guernsey's government announced plans to cut at least 200 civil service jobs by the end of 2020.

BBC Radio Jersey

Only people in Jersey on income support, Pension Plus or those who get means-tested living costs as part of the long-term care scheme will be eligible for Sir David Kirch's Christmas voucher scheme this year, it has been confirmed.

The wealthy Jerseyman has previously offered money to all islanders over the age of 70, but he said in August that he was changing the eligibility criteria, lowering the age limit to 65 and increasing the gift from £100 to £120, in an effort to distribute the money where it was most needed.

The vouchers will be sent out in the last week of November, and valid until the end of January 2019.

Ben Chapple
BBC News Online

The damaged section of cable that led to a Guernsey-wide power cut on 1 October has been found on land at Greve de Lecq in Jersey, external.

Sally-Ann David, chief operating officer at Guernsey Electricity, said the firm was working with the cable manufacturer and specialist repair teams to arrange a repair "as quickly as possible".

Image source, Guernsey Electricity

She said: "Since Greve de Lecq is of special ecological interest, Guernsey Electricity has secured permission from the Jersey Department of Environment to dig in the area.

"In the meantime, electricity supplies continue to be met by on-island generation."

Chris Quevatre
BBC News Online

While the polls close at 20:00, the ballot boxes won't actually be opened until 09:30 on Thursday morning.

This is what follows:

• Reconciliation of votes: The ballots for each polling station will be counted and reconciled against the voter registration books; at this stage blank and spoilt ballot papers will also be identified
• First round: Counting of first preference votes; the first preference votes for each option will be counted by district
• Second round: If no option has secured a majority of the votes in this round, the option with the lowest number of votes will be eliminated - any second preference votes on the eliminated ballot papers will be assigned to the relevant options
• Third round: If no option has secured a majority of the votes in this round, the option with the lowest number of votes will be eliminated - any second or, where relevant, third preference votes on the eliminated ballot papers will be assigned to the relevant options
• Fourth round: If no option has secured a majority of the votes in this round, the option with the lowest number of votes will be eliminated - any second or, where relevant, third or fourth preference votes on the eliminated ballot papers will be assigned to the relevant options

The island of Jersey has completed the rollout of full-fibre internet to 40,000 homes.

BBC Radio Guernsey

Civil servants are "shocked" and "surprised" at an announcement that 200 jobs could be cut in Guernsey's public sector, a union says.

The States has announced plans to cut at least 200 civil service jobs by the end of 2020 - about one-in-eight posts in a "targeted removal" which could save more than £10m a year.

Chief executive Paul Whitfield had said teachers, nurses, law enforcement officers and social workers would not be affected.

Stephen Langford, from the Prospect union said, that while he was aware change was on the horizon, he was also surprised by the scale of the reform.

He said it was unclear at this stage where the redundancies would be sought...

Edward Rowe
BBC Radio Guernsey

There's not much we can actually report on the Guernsey referendum, as the polls are open and you're all still voting.

It means that we all start having very weird conversations in the office, such as whether this structure in St Peter's is more of a hut or a hall.

If you go to vote at St Peter's Douzaine, you will be redirected to this building down the road

The debate then ensued because of two signs at the polling station; one calling it a hut, one calling it a hall.

I can't wait for the polls to close.

Chris Quevatre
BBC News Online

Well, a few less now.

Voting is under way in Guernsey's referendum to decide how deputies will be elected to the States from 2020.

The electoral roll closed last week at 31,685.

The result will be binding if there's a turnout of 40%, giving the 12,746 figure which will make the public's choice final.

If fewer votes are cast, the States of Guernsey will decide the fate of Guernsey's electoral system.

Polling stations across the island will stay open till 20:00.

BBC Radio Jersey

Jersey is sending £350,000 to help people in Indonesia after an earthquake and tsunami devastated the island of Sulawesi.

The Overseas Aid Commission is sharing the money between three charities.

The British Red Cross will use the money for search and rescue, Care International will use it to build emergency shelters and provide water and Unicef will use the funds to help children.

The 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck on 28 September, bringing down buildings and, in some areas, turning the ground to liquid in a process called "liquefaction" and moving entire neighbourhoods.

This was followed by a tsunami.

The disaster has left thousands dead or injured.

Image source, Reuters

Bringing you the news, sport, travel and weather for the Channel Islands

Chris Quevatre
BBC News Online

A lot of people are going to be late for work.

There are temporary traffic lights on St George's Esplanade, and the traffic is pretty bad in both directions, and has been stretching past our offices at Bulwer Avenue at times.

Homes and businesses in the area lost power earlier due to a cable fault, which is why Guernsey Electricity decided to start work immediately, despite the inevitable traffic build-up.

Guernsey Electricity and the contractors are working "as quickly as possible" to complete repairs.

Chris Quevatre
BBC News Online

"B.10.01."

Not the most exotic name in the world, but it is the name of the most expensive home in the UK, which - as reported in the Guardian earlier, external - was bought for £160m by two Guernsey holding companies this summer.

The two-storey penthouse apartment at One Hyde Park, external comes with "two wine cellars and two balconies overlooking the park".

Because Guernsey's register of beneficial ownership is not publicly accessible, it's not possible to identify who has bought the record-breaking property.

Image source, Google

In the interests of narrowing the field, I can confirm that it wasn't me who bought it - I need at least three balconies...

Edward Rowe
BBC Radio Guernsey

There's a bit of a buzz in the air around Guernsey.

The island's first referendum is under way, and the polling stations have opened to the public.

These volunteers are all smiles in St Martin's...

And here's the Senior Constable for St Sampson's, Deputy Paul Le Pelley, raising the parish flag outside the douzaine room.

An act of parish patriotism.

Chris Quevatre
BBC News Online

Here's a list of where you can vote in the referendum.

You must vote in the electoral district in which you are registered.

St Peter Port South: The Constables' Office, Lefebvre Street and St Stephen's Community Centre, St. Stephen's Lane

St Peter Port North: Beau Sejour and the Performing Arts Centre

St Sampson's: St Sampson's Douzaine and Church Schools, Grandes Maisons Road

Vale: Vale Douzaine and Rue Mainguy Scout Headquarters

Castel: Castel Douzaine and KGV centre

West: St Saviour's Community Centre, St Peter's Community Centre, Torteval Douzaine and Forest Douzaine.

South East: La Salle Paroissiale, Grande Rue and St Andrew's Douzaine

Chris Quevatre
BBC News Online

It's an historic day for Guernsey - the island's first referendum.

It's the first time the people of Guernsey have been asked to turn out to polling stations to vote on something other than the people who will represent them.

You can choose how those politicians will be elected in the future.

There are five options:

Option A: Thirty-eight politicians elected island-wide, every four years.

Option B: Thirty-eight politicians elected across seven districts, every four years.

Option C: Ten politicians elected island-wide and 28 elected across seven districts, every four years.

Option D: Thirty-eight politicians elected across four districts, every four years.

Option E: One-third of the 38 politicians elected island-wide, every two years.

The States video is very good, external, but if you can't watch it, here's the gist.

• Everyone on the Electoral Roll will have up to five votes.
• You need to rank the options in order of preference.
• Rather than voting with the more traditional "X", you need to rank your preference with numbers, starting with the number 1.
• You would mark number 1 next to your favourite option, then 2 next to your next favourite option and so on.
• You don't have to use all your votes.
• You should only vote for the options you would like to see introduced.
• If you do not like an option, don't vote for it.
• If you really only like one option then you can just use one vote.

Chris Quevatre
BBC News Online

There are a set of temporary traffic lights on St George's Esplanade after an electricity cable fault in Guernsey this morning.

The lights are just south of La Piette Hotel and could create a lot of traffic heading into St Peter Port this morning.

BBC Weather

This morning any overnight mist will lift to leave it dry and unseasonably warm with sunny periods.

This afternoon there is an increasing chance of showers, possibly heavy with a gentle southerly breeze.

Further showers expected this evening, still some heavy and possibly thundery - it should become drier towards midnight with clear spells developing.

Brent Pilnick
BBC Sport

Trinity earned their first win of the season as they won 3-1 at bottom side St Ouen in Jersey's Premiership.

Image source, Jersey 2015

Island striker Karl Hinds scored twice for Trinity while Kyle Hampshire got their other goal.

It was Trinity's first victory in their fourth game of the season and lifts them up one place to fifth in the table.

Chris Quevatre
BBC News Online

There is a tide warning in place for Guernsey's east coast this evening.

High southeasterly winds means waves will be breaking over the sea wall.

The high tides to look out for are at 19:24 tonight and 07:46 in the morning.