BBC Radio Guernsey

Sark's government has approved changes to the way the island controls the amount of properties on island.

The motion was brought before Wednesday's Chief Pleas, and allows anyone to apply to build a property - but you need to have resided on Sark for 15 years in order to live in it.

William Raymond, the chair of the Land Reform Special Committee, said it was part of moves that could allow the island to move forward from 400-year-old legislation which allowed landowners more control over how properties were built.

He said: "This is the start. This is the basic building block of actually taking away outdated legislation now.

"We now need to get legislation in place for the protection of leaseholders because the majority of property on Sark is a held on a leasehold basis."

BBC Radio Jersey

There are concerns civil servants could have too much control over how public money is spent in Jersey.

States members have agreed to consider introducing a delay between the time government departments submit requests for money and the time they are signed off.

Deputy Montfort Tadier told States members they had given up their powers to a system where "people do not know what is happening in their department" and decisions were "taken out of the hands of the minister".

Social Security Minister Judy Martin insisted the government did have the final say.

BBC Weather

Mostly dry on Wednesday night, with clear spells and patchy cloud. Gentle north-westerly breezes.

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

Thursday will be dry for the most part with some sunshine, but increasing cloud may bring the odd shower later on. A brisk north-westerly breeze.

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

Jersey:

Guernsey:

Simon Fairclough
Guernsey Political Reporter

Guernsey's carers should receive more support in future following the publication of a Carers Action Plan by the island's government.

The plan identifies key priorities for action to improve the services and support available to informal, unpaid carers in the Bailiwick.

The States of Guernsey said carers who look after loved ones carry out a crucial role, not only for families but also for the wider community.

It's important that "people who are supporting others are supported themselves", they added.

The Carers Action Plan sets out actions for both the States of Guernsey and for charitable and voluntary organisations that will improve the services and support available for local carers.

President of the Committee for Health & Social Care, Heidi Soulsby, said help will range from the introduction of carer's assessments through to improved provision of information, advice and outreach support.

John Fernandez
BBC Radio Guernsey

You can walk, ride a bike, and if you have a special permit, drive a tractor.

And soon you'll be able to ride an electric bike too, because Sark's government has decided to deregulate them.

When the proposals were first presented to Chief Pleas, some argued deregulating the use of electric bikes would be a slippery slope towards other motorised vehicles.

However, lobbying from inside and outside the island's government has chipped away and they've now legalised the use of electric bikes, although the resulting law will still need to be approved at a future meeting.

Chris Quevatre
BBC News Online

Documents from the Independent Jersey Care Inquiry are now available online, external.

The records of the inquiry including redacted versions of witness statements, evidence and transcripts are currently being fully catalogued and indexed by archive staff, but more than half are now available.

A report on the inquiry was released in July 2017, with the island's government admitting a year later that the changes identified were "not being made fast enough" after decades of abuse in Jersey's child care system.

Image source, EPA

Jersey Archive received over 10,000 pdf files when the decision to make the documents public was made, with some containing up to 300 pages of witness testimony, expert evidence and witness evidence.

On Tuesday, Jersey's politicians agreed on 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.

Chris Quevatre
BBC News Online

Aurigny has released photos of the first fog-beating aircraft that is being built for the airline.

Three new ATR-600s have been ordered at a cost of £46m.

Aurigny has previously said the potential to reduce fog disruption will save the airline £1.1m over a decade.

Image source, Aurigny

The current green appearance comes from the aircraft being coated in anti-corrosive zinc, but will change when it's painted.

The first of the new planes has been named G-OATR, which "signifies the commitment and relationship" Aurigny has with the manufacturer, ATR.

Image source, Aurigny

A Jersey team playing in the English league system would have an effect on local football, the project's founder says.

BBC Radio Jersey

Jersey backbenchers are concerned about a new law designed to give more power to ministers when making decisions about taxpayers' money.

The law was approved in principle on Tuesday, but some members were unhappy at the power that it gives the treasury minister in particular.

For example, it will mean States members will no longer be able to propose changes to the government's spending plans unless they first consult that minister.

The law will be reviewed by a scrutiny panel before it can come into effect.

John Fernandez
BBC Radio Guernsey

The speaker of Sark's government has told the BBC that a debate on education for over-13s in Sark will "almost certainly" not take place.

The island's government is being asked to stop all on-island education for children over the age of 13 after a damning review of the schooling system in Sark, but these plans will have to be shelved until a future meeting.

It's not yet clear why the proposals are being withdrawn.

Other items that remain on the agenda include the deregulation of electric bikes and the approval of financial statements.

BBC Radio Guernsey

Seasonal changes at two local car parks have come into force.

Six spaces on the landward side of South Esplanade opposite Credit Suisse, will change from 10-hour parking to two-hour parking until 30 September.

Similarly, at La Vallette, spaces on the seaward side of the road between Horseshoe Pool and the Ladies Bathing Pool will change from 10-hour parking to two-hour parking - also until 30 September.

Johanna Carr
BBC News Online

Jersey Post will issue six new stamps on Thursday to celebrate the first wedding anniversary of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

Designed by Up Studio, the stamps feature photographs taken at Prince Harry and Meghan's wedding and at other events during their first year of marriage.

A miniature sheet showing the duke and duchess laughing as they watched traditional Gaelic sports being played on the second day of their visit to Dublin, Ireland, will also be issued.

Image source, Jersey Post

John Fernandez
BBC Radio Guernsey

Sark's politicians will decide later whether children over the age of 13 from the island should be schooled in Guernsey.

The plans were shelved earlier this year, with the Education Committee citing a lack of consultation with parents.

The island's government, Chief Pleas is being asked to stop all on-island education after the age of 13, following a damning review of education in Sark.

Other matters being discussed include politicians being asked to approve the deregulation of electric bikes.

They will also be asked to approve financial statements which show Chief Pleas spent about £30,000 on last year's dispute between Sark Electricity and the regulator.

BBC Weather

A mostly cloudy day with just a few patches of rain.

A few bright or sunny intervals will develop at times with light winds.

Maximum temperatures of 13C (55F).

Jersey:

Guernsey:

BBC Radio Jersey

A strike by Jersey teachers will go ahead after last-minute talks between unions and States representatives failed to find a compromise.

Discussions went on into the evening on Tuesday, but broke up without agreement. It comes after teaching union representatives rejected the States' latest pay offer.

The National Education Union has asked its members to rally at the Weighbridge later.

It's the first of eight planned strike days.

Thirteen schools will be closed., external