Parishes of Jersey make a winning start to life as a Conifa international side by beating Yorkshire 2-1.

Bringing you the news, sport, travel and weather for the Channel Islands for Friday 19 October 2018

Christine Smith, 65, ordered the cannabis-derived drug in attempt to treat her multiple sclerosis.

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Britain's Crown Dependencies should reconsider housing refugees, according to a Labour peer.

Lord Alf Dubs, a former child refugee, has called on the Isle of Man, Jersey and Guernsey's governments to "share" the responsibility.

Image source, Getty Images

However, the island governments have re-iterated their position of not accepting refugees, external as part of the UK's Vulnerable Persons Relocation scheme.

Here's what you've been saying on Facebook, external.

Maria: No! We are overpopulated with no protection from people who hide their true identities or intentions.

Alexander: The UK should stop trying to make us do stuff where they clearly do not understand the effects it would have on us. We simply wouldn't be able to cope with a significant influx of people, such as refugees, which is one of the reasons why the decision was made to refuse them

Mary: Guernsey would be a very expensive place to live, houses are expensive and there is no health service so not very practical. Food costs much more on the island.

Lindsay: It seems it was ok when in the war when some Guernsey families and children became refugees, we got help. When other people need help we turn our backs.

Jack: Personally, I agree with this. I’m not saying take 100s of refugees or even dozens. But I think Guernsey or especially Jersey could take a family or two.

Rob Byrne
BBC News Online

A woman with multiple sclerosis has been spared jail for importing a cannabis-derived drug into Guernsey.

In what is considered to be the first case of its kind on the island, Guernsey's Royal Court heard how the "cannabis oil" Christine Smith ordered to treat her symptoms was deemed a Class A drug under local law.

The drug was posted to the 65-year-old's address at Nouvelle Marataine, in the Vale, but was intercepted at Guernsey Post headquarters by police in March 2018.

The court heard Smith told police she had no idea the substance, described as a brown liquid in a syringe, was a class A drug.

Tests showed it was Tetrahydrocannabinol, with an estimated street value of £200, but Judge Graeme McKerrell said no meaningful street value could be ascertained.

Smith pleaded guilty to importing the substance and was given a two-year prison sentence suspended for two years.

Defending, Advocate Samuel Steele said his client had spent £14,000 on private treatment since being diagnosed with a form of multiple sclerosis five years ago but this had not eased her symptoms of pain, fatigue and memory loss.

The court heard the drug could be licensed for medical purposes in Guernsey but only with permission of the island’s chief pharmacist or medical director, something Mrs Smith had not attempted to obtain.

Rob Byrne
BBC News Online

A self-styled transparency campaigner is taking on the governments of the Crown Dependencies and the UK Home Office.

Tony Webber, a former Guernsey politician, has been arguing the government correspondence between the UK, Jersey, Guernsey, and the Isle of Man on the resettling of Syrian refugees should be made public.

Yesterday, former child refugee and Labour Peer Lord Alf Dubs called on the islands to reconsider housing refugees.

Image source, Reuters

Mr Webber has filed Access to Public Information requests in Guernsey , externaland the UK.

Documents show a tribunal twice upholding his appeals to make the correspondence available under the UK Freedom of Information Act.

In the findings, the tribunal found there was "considerable public interest" in knowing the approach of the Crown Dependencies and the response from the Home Office.

But Mr Webber believes this decision may again be appealed, with a joint letter signed by three civil servants from the Crown Dependencies reportedly key to attempts to see the decision overturned., external

The documents describe the ruling as having a "chilling effect" on future communications between island governments and the UK.

In reply to Mr Webber's questions under Guernsey's access to public information code , externalthe States Policy and Resources Committee said the appeal was a matter for the Home Office.

In its latest response, Guernsey's senior political committee said the letter from civil servants had "political support".

"We remain unable to discuss any further details at this stage due to the ongoing legal proceedings in respect of this matter," it added.

BBC Radio Guernsey

There's merit in exploring the technical aspects and potential benefits of using the full length of Guernsey's current runway, according to the island's most senior political committee.

Next week States members will consider a political petition from Deputy Jan Kuttelwascher who has put forward the proposal.

Deputy Kuttelwascher and the other signatories of his proposal believe using the full length of the runway would fit in with a runway extension in the future, and would immediately benefit the public and ultimately, would be low cost.

The Policy and Resources Committee has now published its letter of response.

It says the work to investigate this option should take place alongside its own review of strategic air and sea links to avoid duplication of effort.

Simon Fairclough
Guernsey Political Reporter

Guernsey's only political association is calling for a review and reform of the island's system of government.

The Islanders Association says the referendum result on the Guernsey electoral system is a significant milestone in creating a more decisive, effective and efficient government.

The association believes that island-wide voting should be a catalyst for a broad sweeping review of the machinery of government including a re-evaluation of the way the States of Guernsey is run and operates.

It wants a more economically efficient approach which emphasises development and diversification.

It goes on to say it supports the recent announcement to review and consolidate the management structures within the Civil Service to eliminate 200 middle-management places from the hierarchy.

Hayley Westcott
BBC News Online

There's currently a yellow weather warning in place for wind across the islands, Jersey Met has said.

It added winds of force 6 can be expected.

Image source, JERSEY MET

BBC Radio Jersey

Jersey taxi drivers could strike because of changes to the way they charge their fares.

The president of Jersey's Taxi Drivers Association says his members are "not happy at all" after fares were put up by an average of 3.3%.

Image source, Getty Images

Steve Marsh said despite the rise, drivers were losing money because the waiting charge - the amount they could charge when stuck in traffic - was reduced last year and it's not been put back up.

He said some drivers were thinking about retiring as a direct result of the decision - and unless there were changes, drivers would "take some action" although nothing had been decided yet.

The Infrastructure Minister, Deputy Kevin Lewis, said nothing was "set in stone".

Jersey Evening Post

Claims that there has been a lack of communication to gym users and staff over recent health and safety scares at Fort Regent have been rejected by the States., external

BBC Radio Jersey

People in Jersey could have to pay more towards their long term care from 2020, according to the island's Social Security Minister.

It comes after a report found the scheme's current funding model was unsustainable.

It's predicted by 2043 the ring-fenced long term care pot will be almost £36m down each year, unless taxpayers start paying more.

If you pay income tax in Jersey, 1% of your earnings goes towards long term care.

The report recommends an increase of 0.5% at the start of the next decade.

Image source, Getty Images

Rob England
BBC News Online

A ban on smoking in al fresco dining areas is being considered in St Helier.

The Parish Roads Committee said it would consult with restaurants in town before bringing proposals to residents at a parish assembly.

At the meeting Geraint Jennings, a parish Procureur du Bien Public , externalsaid the potential ban would "ensure people's health" and "put children first".

He added al fresco areas "were not dedicated smoking areas" and were more for people to enjoy drinking and dining outside.

In 2014 a States of Jersey consultation , externalon protecting children from second hand smoke found 57% of those surveyed were in favour of stopping smoking in outside eating and drinking areas.

Jersey Evening Post

The antiquated tax law which means married women’s income is classed as their husbands’ will not be amended until at least 2020 or 2021 – but an interim solution could be proposed within weeks, the Treasury has revealed., external

Rob England
BBC News Online

Police have renewed calls for witnesses after a car crashed into a pedestrian in Guernsey.

Officers said they were "happy to report" the man, who was taken to hospital on Monday with "potentially serious injuries", had been released.

The crash happened on St Julian's Avenue in St Peter Port at about 17:10.

Officers said a blue Ford Fiesta was travelling downhill when it hit the pedestrian who was wearing a long yellow sleeved runners top.

The driver was uninjured.

A force spokeswoman said: "If you saw anything, heard anything or have dash-camera footage, we want to hear from you."

Mark Inchley
BBC Channel Islands News

Electricity charges in Guernsey are facing a major overhaul as part of the first review of tariff structures in 25 years.

Guernsey Electricity says it needs to update its approach to reflect the increasing use of renewable energy.

The company says the way electricity is generated and used is evolving with more islanders opting for renewable technology such as solar power.

But that means less electricity being drawn from the grid which in turn means a reduction in income for Guernsey Electricity.

Image source, Guernsey Electricity

The company says its own ongoing costs are largely unaffected by the amount of electricity being used so it's having to rethink how those are paid for.

As part of the review it's launching a public consultation to give islanders a say.

Chief Executive Alan Bates says they want to provide a secure, sustainable and reliable service but also want to be transparent about their charges.

Rob England
BBC News Online

Police say a man who had been missing in Jersey since Monday has been found.

Officers were concerned about Mateusz Kaminski, but by Wednesday evening said he had been found "safe and well".

Chris Quevatre
BBC News Online