Bringing you the news, sport, travel and weather for the Channel Islands on Wednesday 5 December 2018

BBC Weather

Tonight will be cloudy and rather breezy with outbreaks of rain or drizzle and overnight lows of 10C (50F).

Looking ahead to Wednesday, it will be cloudy with rain expected in the afternoon.

Jersey:

Guernsey:

Del Crookes
BBC News Online

Image source, GSPCA

GSPCA is asking people in Guernsey to donate fish for a seal which was found dehydrated and starving, external last month on a beach in Jersey.

The pup was only a few days old and is still weak after a series of treatments and fluids.

He has been named Andrew by staff.

Officials say any fish donated needs to be "excellent quality" and, if frozen, must have been caught in the last three months.

Sarah Bailey
Broadcast Journalist, BBC Radio Jersey

There will be a focus on tourism and school funding in the States priorities list for the future.

Earlier this year, the government revealed the five main things it wants to focus on in this term of office: health, the economy, standard of living, the environment and children.

But backbenchers suggested a number of changes and today, Ministers were forced to include them in their final plan.

The document will now also include a greater focus on the island's tourism industry, digital innovation, and on providing a so-called 'good level' of funding for schools.

There was also support for purpose built youth facilities in the north of St Helier, and more consideration of the way the government engages with islanders.

In a sitting expected to last much of the week, politicians will next discuss the island's 2019 budget.

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 seven can be expected.

Image source, Jersey Met

BBC Radio Guernsey

The chair of the St Peter Port Christmas in Town Committee says changes to this year's lights switch-on were made because of "health and safety reasons".

The route that normally sees Father Christmas go up towards Boots - normally one of the big vantage points for people waiting to see the man himself - was cut short.

But Dennis Le Moignan says changes had to be made and they should have been made a long time ago....

BBC Radio Jersey

Jersey's government will focus on diversity and inclusion over the coming term of office - although not as one of their main priorities.

The government has drawn up a strategy with five main topics - health, the economy, standard of living, the environment and children.

The head of the Corporate Services Scrutiny Panel, Senator Kristina Moore, called for a sixth priority to be added to that list, but a majority of States members voted against this on Tuesday.

However, it has been agreed diversity and inclusion will be one of the "common themes" considered by government departments.

BBC Radio Jersey

Jersey's housing minister is to begin work on a new strategy for tackling homelessness this month.

Senator Sam Mezec says its "unacceptable" in a wealthy society such as Jersey, that more and more people are needing the help of charities.

One of those charities, the Shelter Trust, is running its annual soup kitchen in the Royal Square.

Senator Mezec says he'll be meeting representatives of various charities on 13 December to start working on plans to tackle the issue...

John Fernandez
BBC Radio Guernsey

Sark Electricity has sent a letter to all its customers with an update after a deal was struck last week to avoid an island-wide blackout.

In it, customers have been told "common sense will prevail in the future" to prevent a similar situation from happening again.

Jersey Evening Post

A St Helier deputy has expressed strong concerns about the number of police officers on the beat at night in the island, saying he does not believe the force can withstand further cuts., external

The successful applicant will get spectacular sunsets, solitude and a tractor for a company car.

BBC Radio Jersey

Parish officials hope closing a road in St Saviour will make it safer for school children.

A barrier will be put in on Chasse Brunet, near Langtry Gardens, as part of a year-long trial.

It's after concerns were raised that pedestrians aren't being giving enough space by drivers who use the narrow road as a short cut.

The trial begins on 10 December.

Hayley Westcott
BBC News Online

Police in Jersey have planned three weekends of high visibility activity this festive period to encourage Christmas revellers and party-goers to not drink excessively.

The local initiative, "Enjoy More, Drink Less" looks to address the fact that some people think it’s socially acceptable to intentionally drink to excess, officers said.

In the weeks leading up to Christmas, St John Ambulance and extra local street pastors will be on hand in Weighbridge Place for anyone that requires first aid, reassurance or safety and support.

The hope is by having a first aid capability directly in Weighbridge Place, the pressure will be taken off the A&E department at the hospital.

Hayley Westcott
BBC News Online

The Sark branch of the Royal British Legion has broken its record for the third year in a row with the amount of money, external it's sent to the Poppy Appeal.

It raised £6,013.57 and says the increase is due to three of its members making and selling more than 400 ceramic poppies.

In 2017, the branch raised £4,027.85 while in 2016, £3,446.36 was sent to the appeal.

BBC Radio Jersey

Jersey's States members have started debating the main issues the island's government will focus on over the next four years.

Ministers have put forward five main priorities:

• Health
• The economy
• Standard of living
• The environment
• Children

However, a number of backbench politicians have suggested changes to this list including calls for a sixth priority aimed at improving diversity and inclusion in the island.

States members will vote on each amendment in turn, before a final vote on the government's priorities.

A debate on Jersey's 2019 budget will follow - in a sitting expected to last until the end of the week.

BBC Radio Guernsey

The chief executive of a global renewable energy company says it makes "absolute sense" to use tidal power to provide a long-term energy solution for Sark.

SIMEC Atlantis is holding a workshop in Bristol today looking into the plans.

Chief executive Tim Cornelius says Sark is surrounded by a huge untapped tidal power resource.

Reporting of the island's recent electricity crisis prompted the company to look at tidal power for the island, he added.

BBC Radio Jersey

Image source, Getty Images

Jersey's health minister says plans to allow all island GPs to prescribe medicinal cannabis by the end of February remain on track.

Since politicians agreed last month to change the law, doctors have expressed concerns about a lack of national guidelines on how to prescribe the medicine.

Deputy Richard Renouf said an order being drafted under the misuse of drugs laws was in its "final stages".

Guernsey Press

There is confusion over whether convicts from Guernsey’s prison, which is nearly full, could be sent to serve their sentences in La Moye., external

BBC Weather

Today will be bright for a time with some hazy sunshine.

However, cloud will thicken, with the chance of the odd spot of rain by the end of the afternoon.

Jersey:

Guernsey:

BBC Radio Jersey

A three-year-old was thrown out of a pram and onto a Jersey road after being hit by a car at Le Hurel.

Jersey Police say a blue "sporty-type" car with pop up headlamps was coming along the lane from Manor Park Stores towards Queens Road at 08:20 on Monday.

As the car came around the corner, police say, it hit the push chair, throwing the child out into the road.

The child wasn't hurt but officers are appealing for witnesses.