BBC Radio Jersey

Jersey hotels and restaurants have welcomed a States decision to allow up to 150 people from outside the UK to work in the island this year.

Under the new plans, they can stay for nine months but must then leave for at least another three months before returning.

Simon Soar is the chief executive of the Jersey Hospitality Association and says it's a step in the right direction - even though its not a finished solution...

Rory O'Reilly
BBC Radio Guernsey

It's been agreed there won't be any immediate or unilateral changes to the traditional fishing rights of Guernsey fishermen when the local territorial limit is extended to 12 miles., external

Members of the States of Alderney have met with Guernsey politician, Barry Paint to clarify the future implications of the extension for Guernsey fishermen.

The meeting agreed that Alderney's immediate priority will be to work with the States of Guernsey to ensure the rights of all Bailiwick fishermen are protected.

A range of issues around the sustainable management of fish stocks - and access to French markets for Alderney and Guernsey fishermen - were also discussed.

The States of Alderney will be sending a political observer and representative to the Channel Potting Conference to gain a greater understanding of regional issues at the end of the month.

Twitter

Karl Busch spends half his week running tea dances in Jersey, missing 75% of council meetings.

Rob Byrne
BBC News Online

MPs behind a move to force transparency measures on Britain's Crown Dependencies have argued money laundering threatens the UK's national security.

In a letter to Guernsey's chief minister, Andrew Mitchell and Margaret Hodge cite a 2018 Foreign Affairs Select Committee report, external which said money laundering was a "matter of national security" and "constitutionally under the jurisdiction of the UK".

They argue the islands' private registers of company ownership have proven ineffective at preventing financial crime, as evidenced by revelations surrounding shell companies in offshore leaks.

On Monday, the British government pulled a Bill which had an amendment by the MPs seeking to make company ownership of islands firms available on public registers.

"These registers are important if we are to fight corruption, money laundering and terrorist financing," the MPs' letter reads.

"In 2018 following the publication of the Paradise Papers and the Skripal attack in Salisbury the British Government has additional reasons to support these public registers."

In reply, Guernsey's Chief Minister Gavin St Pier tweeted he disagreed with much in the lette, externalr and would respond.

BBC Radio Guernsey

People in St Peter Port say they are sad about an increasing number of shops closing in the town.

The comments come after large retailers such as HMV, Miss Selfridge and Beghins have packed up shop.

Director of the Bailiwick Estates, Brett Allen, says two national retailers have shown interest in the area - but these people in Guernsey say they're losing hope...

Brent Pilnick
BBC Sport

Jersey Reds make three changes for their trip to Cornish Pirates in the Champions on Sunday.

The islanders had a six-game winning streak against the Penzance-based side broken last month when they were beaten in the last eight of the Championship Cup, but have not lost in Cornwall since December 2015.

Image source, Jacqueline Ranieri

Scrum-half Will Homer comes in for Liam Howley to face a side he had a short spell with in 2015 while Charlie Beckett and Sam Rodman returns to the forward pack as the islanders aim for a third successive win.

Jersey Reds:Van Dam; Marx, Ma'afu, Best, Newey; Herron, Homer; Godfrey, Maddison, Rodman, Sexton (capt), Beckett, Hatherell, Bartle, Venter

Replacements: Macfarlane, Morley, Atalifo, McKern, Joyce, Howley, Penberthy

Hayley Westcott
BBC News Online

A car hit a parked car - "substantially damaging" it - and drove off without leaving any details, Jersey Police has said.

It happened on Ann Street in St Helier, at the back of the Mayfair Hotel, at about 00:45 on Sunday 3 March.

It's believed the silver Mercedes was hit by an older style Kia car and the driver was described as a woman of about 60-years-old, officers said.

Anyone with information is asked to contact States of Jersey Police on 612 612.

Rob Byrne
BBC News Online

MPs behind a move to force transparency measures on the Crown Dependencies have written to the islands' chief ministers saying their move is both constitutional and a better solution to combat financial crime.

They were responding to arguments made by Guernsey's chief minister in support of the islands' efforts to combat money laundering under their current private registers of company ownership.

The effectiveness of such systems were "completely destroyed" by the Paradise and Panama Papers offshore leaks, Andrew Mitchell and Margaret Hodge said in the letter.

They would like to see company ownership information made public in the islands, in line with Britain and its Overseas Territories. Anonymous companies are open to abuse, they argue.

"Only with the sunlight of open scrutiny - including by specialist NGOs and the independent media can this be addressed. The argument in our view is incontrovertible."

The islands have also argued the move - initially lodged as an amendment to the UKs Financial Services Bill - is unconstitutional.

The MPs dismiss this, arguing the UK has "sufficient legal powers" to act, citing two reports.

Firstly, they say the 1973 Kilbrandon Report showed MPs could intervene in the islands on the grounds of "good government".

Secondly, they see this as a matter that "threatens the UK's national security", citing a 2018 Foreign Affairs Select Committee report that said countering money laundering was "constitutionally under the jurisdiction of the UK".

BBC Radio Jersey

A Jersey business group wants to delay the introduction of a proposed law that would give new parents more time off work.

The Social Security Minister, Deputy Judy Martin, wants to double the amount of maternity leave for new mums - from six months to a year.

She's also proposing rights for mothers to breastfeed at work and get paid leave where necessary - on health and safety grounds.

However, Jersey's Chamber of Commerce says because of uncertainties over labour markets and Brexit, there needs to be a full evaluation of what the knock-on effects for businesses will be.

Previously, its president, Eliot Lincoln has said businesses "will need States support" like the UK provides for its businesses.

Image source, Google

Hayley Westcott
BBC News Online

The gorilla who was the mascot for Jersey's 2015 Island Games is leaving Jersey Zoo.

The adolescent western lowland gorilla called Indigo - who will turn seven later this year - will be taken to his new home in Belgium to join a group of other young male gorillas.

Indigo was born at Jersey Zoo on 27 September 2012 and zookeepers say he's been "an adored member of our gorilla family, whose playful, and often mischievous, personality has been enjoyed by both staff and visitors alike".

He leaves on 23 March.

Image source, Jersey Zoo

Twitter

Guernsey's top politician has complained to airline Flybe after he said he was charged £50 for his hand luggage being too large.

Deputy Gavin St Pier tweeted that the airline had not initially charged him on a flight to Jersey but had on the return leg.

in response, Flybe tweeted it had recently implemented a "zero tolerance policy" on any over sized cabin bags.

The airline has recently been criticised for the way it has enforced the policy.

Hayley Westcott
BBC News Online

A man was left with facial injuries after a fight in Guernsey overnight, police have said.

It happened on the pavement next to the pedestrian crossing on the North Esplanade, St Peter Port, at about 02:00.

It's believed there were two men involved in the fight.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Guernsey Police.

Rob Byrne
BBC News Online

Jersey's children's commissioner has suggested the island could help children displaced by the Syrian conflict.

Deborah McMillan tweeted, external Jersey "could help by welcoming child refugees" after meeting a 16-year-old Syrian girl who lived in a refugee camp.

She added that becoming Britain's first "sanctuary island" could be an "amazing possibility".

Jersey's government has previously said it would not accept refugees as part of the UK's Vulnerable Persons Relocation Scheme, external, citing legal hurdles.

But later this month the island's chief minister is set to meet Lord Alf Dubs, a former child refugee who is asking Britain's Crown Dependencies to accept child refugees from countries affected by war.

The island's chief minister was sympathetic to the plight of child refugees, Ms McMillan also tweeted,, external adding that she hoped legal barriers allowing them into the Island could be overcome.

Hayley Westcott
BBC News Online

A yellow weather warning for wind has been issued across the islands, Jersey Met said.

Image source, Jersey Met

Freddie Miller
BBC Jersey political reporter

Image source, AFP/Getty

People from outside Europe will be allowed to work in Jersey's hotels, restaurants and bars this summer under a trial scheme.

The project will see 150 workers from outside the European Economic Area (EEA), external allowed to work in the island's restaurants, bars and hotels, which have struggled to recruit in recent years.

Under the scheme, workers will be able to stay for up to nine months, but then they will have to leave for at least three months before coming back, Home Affairs Minister Len Norman announced.

The government says the move will ensure the hospitality sector has access to skilled staff "without this having a long term impact on the island's total population".

In 2014, the island's government introduced tighter controls on non-EEA workers in an effort to protect local workers.

BBC Radio Guernsey

Interest in renting the space HMV rented shows there is still an appetite for retail in St Peter Port, its owner has said.

Director of the Bailiwick Estates, Brett Allen, says he will be putting in a planning application to install a mezzanine level at the site to increase the size of the area available to retailers.

Last month, the music chain announced its St Peter Port store was one of 27 to close following a buyout to save the struggling retailer.

"We've obviously got to strengthen the retail offer. We regard the HMV unit as an important part of this," Mr Allen said.

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BBC Radio Guernsey

The artistic director of the Guernsey Photography Festival says the first outdoor exhibition of the year is something that will "really resonate" with islanders.

The festival is launching a new programme for 2019 and will present two outdoor exhibitions taking place in the Sunken Gardens.

The first exhibition of that series will be by Finnish photographer Petri Juntunen.

Jean-Christophe Godet says it's something Guernsey residents should be "excited" about.

Image source, Guernsey Photography Festival