BBC Radio Jersey

Jersey's politicians have agreed the legal powers, external available to the Children's Commissioner - more than a year after she started working in the island.

Backbenchers had expressed concerns the government's initial plans would have left Deborah McMillan "toothless".

But proposed changes will make it easier for the commissioner to get information from government departments.

BBC Radio Jersey

Thirteen schools in Jersey are preparing to close on Wednesday, external if teachers go on strike.

It comes as teaching union representatives are holding last-minute talks with the government, having rejected their latest pay offer.

As a result of the planned eight-day industrial action, bank holidays and a staff training day, it has emerged some pupils might only be in school for seven days next month.

Parents or carers whose children will affected by teachers on strike will not be paid compensation for any inconvenience or extra childcare costs, the States said.

In a letter to parents, the government also said children at fee-paying schools would also not be compensated for lessons lost because of any walkouts.

Liberty Bus said school buses would still run as normal because some students who were doing exams would still be going to school.

Euan Mahy
BBC Radio Guernsey

A union says it was shocked to hear St John's chief ambulance officer left her post as part of a major restructuring of the organisation.

St John Ambulance and Rescue Services and St John Guernsey have been amalgamated into a single company, St John Ambulance Guernsey.

Chief ambulance officer Ali Marquis and her deputy, Joel de Woolfson, have been replaced by Mark Mapp and Dean de la Mare respectively, both of whom are experienced paramedics.

Other members of the board have also been replaced in moves to streamline operations and put people with more hands-on experience in senior roles.

The new chairman of the board, Roy Tilleard, would not comment on the changes except to say it was "a fresh start".

Unite regional officer Bob Lanning said it came following a long period of dissent among the workforce, many of whom had been unhappy at moves to change work terms and conditions.

He said he was surprised at just how many staff had said they were unhappy in recent months, but added he was hopeful the new board would engage with the workforce in a way that would help things move forward.

BBC Weather

Tuesday night will be dry with clear spells at first, giving way to more cloud later on. Perhaps a few patches of mist later on. Just a light wind of variable direction.

Minimum temperature: 8 to 11C (46 to 52F).

Wednesday will be a mostly cloudy day with a few patches of rain mostly occurring in the afternoon. Just a gentle north to north-westerly wind.

Maximum temperature: 10 to 13C (50 to 55F).

Jersey:

Guernsey:

Guernsey Press

A review of legislation will see whether dog bans on some Guernsey beaches require changing., external

BBC Radio Jersey

Jersey teachers are expected to gather at the Weighbridge on Wednesday as part of continuing strike action.

Members of the National Education Union (NEU) are refusing to work in protest at the latest pay offer from the States. Members said they were unhappy with the latest 1.3% plus cost of living pay offer for 2019.

NEU President Brendan Carolan said the walkouts would only be called off if members were offered a new pay deal.

The States Employment Board has previously said teachers could not expect to get more than other public sector workers.

If the action goes ahead, it will be the first of eight planned days of walkouts.

However, final talks are under way, with States representatives attempting to stave off the planned industrial action.

As a result of the planned industrial action, bank holidays and an inset day, it's emerged some pupils might only be in school for seven days next month.

BBC Radio Guernsey

The new chairman of Guernsey's St John Emergency Ambulance Service says a reshuffle of staff will offer "a fresh start".

The emergency and voluntary sides of St John in Guernsey have merged into one single entity, to be renamed St John Ambulance Guernsey.

As part of the changes, the two most senior members of staff at - Chief Ambulance Officer Ali Marquis and her deputy, Joel de Woolfson - have left, although it's unclear why.

New chairman Roy Tilleard said that a new board had been created but that for the operational side of the organisation it was "business as usual".

Andrew Segal
BBC News

Guernsey’s total population increased by 0.52% - or 325 people - up to 62,734 over the year ending June 2018, new figures reveal.

The Guernsey Quarterly Population, Employment and Earnings Bulletin said there was an increase of 0.2% in the number of people in the 16 to 64 age group - the first annual increase in this group since June 2011.

There were also increases of 0.3% in the number of people aged up to 15, and 2.1% in the 65 to 84 age groups. The number of people aged 85 or over decreased by 0.2%.

It is the largest increase in total population since the last quarter of 2010, which saw a rise of nearly 0.8%.

Image source, Guernsey Quarterly Population, Employment and Earnings Bulletin

Chris Quevatre
BBC News Online

This is an embarrassing one.

A Twitter user called Little Bear has posted a selfie with Graeme Le Saux, but thinks it's Matt Le Tissier.

To be fair to her, they're both footballers from the Channel Islands, and they both went on to play in the Premier League and for England.

Graeme doesn't have quite the same highlight reel though...

BBC Radio Jersey

The system which helps Jersey people afford legal representation if they go to court needs money from the States to continue if it expands.

Both criminal and civil cases are currently entirely funded by the legal profession and administered by the Bâtonnier (head of the legal profession in the island).

The only commitment from public funds is from the Judicial Greffier who makes a contribution of about £70,000 to support the Legal Aid Office.

According to a new report, the Legal Aid Office, duty solicitor and duty advocate scheme need additional funding of about £400,000 per year under changes proposed, external.

These would see the scheme jointly funded by the government, which would pay for criminal legal aid work, and the legal profession, which would cover civil legal aid work.

The legal aid law is due for debate this week in the States.

Live coverage of the States of Jersey meeting from BBC Radio Jersey.

Emily Wood
BBC Weather

Tuesday will be a dry day with plenty of sunshine and just a few patches of cloud.

Just a gentle south to south-easterly breeze.

Maximum temperature: 12 to 15C (54 to 59F).

BBC Radio Guernsey

The two most senior members of staff at Guernsey's St John Emergency Ambulance Service have left the organisation, although it is unclear why.

The Commandery of St John in Guernsey says it has recently completed a review of its corporate structure in the Bailiwick.

As a result, Chief Ambulance Officer Ali Marquis and her deputy, Joel de Woolfson, have left their roles.

Now St John Ambulance and Rescue Services, and the other voluntary and charitably funded services - St John Guernsey - are being amalgamated into a single company, where all ambulance and first aid related activities will be delivered via a single legal entity, to be renamed St John Ambulance Guernsey.

Newly appointed chairman, Roy Tilleard, says the decision is backed by the island's Health and Social Care Committee.

BBC Radio Jersey

Jersey's authorities want to reduce the speed limit outside Bel Royal School as part of a review of driving in St Lawrence.

Speed limits were cut to 30mph several years ago. Transport officials are looking to see if there should be proposals to cut it even further.

They also want to increase the parish's network of green lanes and address concerns of people living on quiet roads.

Islanders have been invited to share their thoughts at St Lawrence parish hall on Thursday afternoon and Saturday morning.

Anyone If you can't make it to the events, you will be able to fill in an online questionnaire from this weekend which will be accessible from here, external.

Image source, States of Jersey

BBC Radio Guernsey

No more time will be spent looking into a potential runway extension according to the president of Guernsey's Committee for Economic Development.

At the end of last week States members voted 20-19 against investigating the business case for lengthening the island's runway.

Deputy Charles Parkinson says "what's done is done" and that nothing will now be brought back to the States this political term.

BBC Radio Jersey

Jersey's government is due to hold last minute talks with teaching union representatives today - on the eve of a series of school strikes.

The National Education Union has previously said there will be eight separate walkouts - starting on Wednesday - unless a new pay deal is put on the table.

It comes after teachers rejected their latest pay offer - worth inflation plus 1.3% from January 2020.

Parents are being warned to prepare for varying levels of disruption if the strikes go ahead.