Bringing you the news, sport, travel and weather for the Channel Islands for Friday 22 February

BBC Weather

Tonight will remain dry with mainly clear skies although some mist or low cloud may form locally by the morning. Mostly gentle winds. Minimum temperature: 4 to 7°C (39 to 45°F).

Tomorrow will be a dry and very mild day with any early mist or low cloud soon clearing to leave plenty of hazy sunshine. A moderate south-easterly breeze. Maximum temperature: 10 to 13°C (50 to 55°F).

Guernsey Press

Guernsey Harbours has agreed a deal to build a new multi-purpose vessel, external, replacing the ageing workboat.

The Sarnia, was built in 1985 and at the time was given a 20 to 25-year lifespan, but has been in service for nearly 35 years.

Bailiwick Express

Fears for the safety of workers tasked with cleaning a "hazardous" sewage cavern, external hidden beneath Fort Regent have prompted a £533k upgrade to the space.

BBC Radio Jersey

Parish constables in Jersey could fine people who organise firework displays without permission under proposed new laws.

Officials want tighter controls over displays which could upset others.

Constables could also have powers to set the times when fireworks can be used.

The Home Affairs Minister, Constable Len Norman, says a consultation will take different views into account...

BBC Radio Jersey

A Jersey shoe shop that's been in the island for more than 150 years has closed.

The owners of Beghins on King Street says they've been making a loss and can't stay open.

Their branch in Guernsey has also closed.

They've apologised to their employees and customers.

Rob Byrne
BBC News Online

Flybe is receiving financial assistance to run its new Guernsey to Heathrow route, a Guernsey politician has confirmed.

Economic Development President, Charles Parkinson said the airline will receive discounts on landing fees in Guernsey as well as a grant based on the number of passengers flying on the route.

Earlier, the struggling regional carrier announced it will provide the first service from Guernsey to Heathrow in more than 20 years.

Deputy Parkinson added: "It obviously will depend to some extent on how many passengers fly, but we're talking several hundreds of thousands of pounds."

Rob Byrne
BBC News Online

The UK government has reiterated Guernsey needs to comply with World Trade Organisation (WTO) terms before its membership can be extended to the island.

Next week, Guernsey politicians will vote on whether to extend the UK's membership of the trade body to the Bailiwick, external - a move which will offset "major risks" of a no-deal Brexit, the island's senior political committee says.

However, in order to join the trade body, International Trade Minister, George Hollingbery told the Commons that Guernsey would need to be "fully compliant" with the terms of the UK’s WTO membership.

"No decisions have yet been taken," he said.

Image source, AFP

Letters sent from Guernsey's chief minister to International Trade Secretary Liam Fox show there are "minor issues" to resolve - however, details are redacted. It is understood the issues centre around the trade in intellectual property.

Jersey's government said securing extension of the UK's membership remained an objective, but "the interests of intellectual property services businesses are being taken into account," a spokeswoman said.

Their most recent discussions took place last Friday, and earlier this month the island's external relations minister met with Liam Fox., external

Free trade in goods, albeit small, between the Channel Islands and the European Union will end once the UK leaves the EU, as it is tied to the UK's accession agreement.

Jersey's government said it had already mitigated the potential effects of a no-deal Brexit through the negotiation a customs arrangement with the UK, which the Crown Dependencies signed in November.

Jersey Reds agree new contracts with centre Apakuki Ma'afu, back-row Jake Upfield and prop Zei Alexis until May 2020.

BBC Radio Jersey

The Dean of Jersey said he "absolutely welcomed" the decision by politicians to research end-of-life choices, including assisted dying.

However, The Very Reverend Mike Keirle said the safeguarding of vulnerable people needed to be considered in the debate.

On Monday the States of Jersey agreed to look into allowing doctors to help terminally ill people to take their own lives.

"I think there's some interesting evidence to suggest that there are other ways to look at this issue.

"But I think that needs to be part of the whole conversation, really," Very Rev Keirle said.

Freddie Miller
BBC Jersey political reporter

Jersey's government has taken its first step towards drawing up a new population policy, with a group expected to report back after the summer break.

The most recent figures estimate more than 105,000 people call the island their home.

Ministers say the number of people coming to live in Jersey "fundamentally affects island living".

The chief minister has asked a hand-selected group of politicians to draw up new plans for controlling population.

They'll be tasked with delivering "more responsive controls over who can come to live, work and use public services in Jersey".

The previous proposals, rejected by Senator John Le Fondre, included four-year work permits and criminal record checks for new migrants.

In recent weeks, his government has agreed to nine-month work permits for farming staff from outside the EU.

Ministers though are clear they want the economy to grow as a result of productivity, rather than migration.

Despite the step forward, uncertainty over Britain's exit from the EU could see Jersey's much-anticipated population policy pushed back further, the government warned.

Rob Byrne
BBC News Online

Image source, Getty Images

For the first time in more than 20 years flights will operate between Guernsey and London Heathrow Airport, it has been announced.

From 31 March, Flybe will run daily flights between the island and London's largest airport.

Outbound flights depart Guernsey at 14:40, with a return from Heathrow at 17:20.

The last direct flights between Guernsey and Heathrow were operated by Air UK, and ended in March 1998 after the airline was taken over by dutch carrier KLM.

Guernsey's economic development committee president Charles Parkinson said he was “delighted" Flybe had decided to launch the route, the sixth from the island since it adopted its "open skies" policy in September 2018.

"Worldwide connectivity through a major international hub is an important achievement of one of the committee's top strategic objectives,” Deputy Parkinson said.

On 4 March, Flybe shareholders will decide whether the struggling regional airline is bought by a consortium including Virgin Atlantic and Stobart Group for £2.2m.

John Fernandez
BBC Radio Guernsey

More islanders have offered to volunteer for CI Air Search following the high profile attempt to find the missing plane carrying Emiliano Sala in January.

It's been one month since the Piper Malibu carrying Cardiff City's record signing and pilot David Ibbotson went missing off the coast of Alderney.

Chief Officer of Channel Island Air Search John Fitzgerald said they had several people apply to volunteer.

St Peter Port Lifeboat operations manager Peter Gill said there had been a "spike in interest" in people wanting to join the boat crew.

"Whether there's been an upsurge on the financial side, I really don't know," he said.

BBC Weather

It will be a dry day with any areas of low cloud or mist gradually dispersing to leave periods of sunshine.

There will also be a gentle, southerly breeze.

Highs of 10C (50F).

Jersey:

Guernsey: