BBC Radio Jersey

Jersey's politicians are debating whether the future role of the Bailiff should be put to a referendum.

Senator Sam Mezec wants an elected speaker to be introduced, to preside over States debates.

But the Constable of Grouville, John Le Maistre, says islanders should have a say.

Deputy Kirsten Morel said the last referendum has put him off the idea - adding it's up to politicians to make decisions.

Constable John Le Bailly, who's supporting the call, said the current system is "our culture and our heritage".

The debate comes as the island's current Bailiff - Sir William Bailhache - is due to retire later this year.

BBC Radio Jersey

Jersey's teaching unions are angry at claims from the chief minister that one of them was responding better to pay talks than the other.

Senator John Le Fondre accused members of the National Education Union (NEU) of being unwilling to look for a solution to the ongoing pay dispute.

He also claimed the States had agreed a positive way forward with the other union - the NASUWT - and they were meeting next week to discuss a higher offer.

But Brendan Carolan, from the NEU, says that's not the case - and has accused the chief minister of trying to divide the unions.

Following the release of the report into the fire at the Guernsey Recycling site off Bulwer Avenue a reminder about safely disposing of household rubbish has been issued.

The report found the likely cause of the fire was a lithium ion battery delivered to the site along with metal recycling.

John Fernandez
BBC Radio Guernsey

Guernsey's Maya Le Tissier will captain England under-17s in Bulgaria.

The UEFA European Women's Under-17 Championship is being held from 5-17 May with England playing Germany on day one.

BBC Radio Guernsey

The fire at Guernsey Recycling showed the "public’s thirst and demands for information during major incidents".

In his report on the blaze Chief Fire Officer Jon Le Page said:" This incident has clearly identified that there is a much bigger expectation by the public for progress reports and the advent of social media has created an expectation that continuous information sharing is required."

He recommends a major incident communications strategy be created.

Mr Le Page also criticised the "uncoordinated" release of conflicting information about the smoke being generated by the fire.

Rob Moore, States of Guernsey senior media and PR officer said: "We acknowledge the findings of the report and welcome the recommendations made relating to communications."

He said developments have been made and would continue to be.

BBC Radio Guernsey

Changes have been made at Longue Hougue in a bid to ensure lithium batteries are removed before items are recycled.

It follows a fire at Guernsey Recycling site in 2018, which it's believed was started by a lithium battery.

Islanders can drop off electric items and batteries alongside a range of other materials at the Guernsey recycling centre at Longue Hougue.

"The operators of the site recognise that lithium batteries pose a risk," said Richard Evans, States of Guernsey Trading Assets deputy managing director.

He said after the fire a review of procedures was carried out to look at how to remove all batteries from devices before they enter the "recycling stream" and signage was added.

Mr Evans said: "It is therefore important that anyone using the site makes staff aware if they are bringing any electrical goods so these can be dealt with appropriately.

"The procedures are working well, but we can never be complacent. While we may not be able to guarantee no battery will 'slip through the net', it is very important that everyone follows the procedures that we have in place at all points of the process.

"This will help to guard against items ending up somewhere that they pose a risk."

BBC Radio Guernsey

A Sark politician says changes to the island's land reform legislation are long over due and just the start.

Chief Pleas agreed on Wednesday to allow anyone to apply to build a property as long as they have resided in Sark for at least 15 years.

William Raymond, Chairman of the Land Reform Special Committee, said: "This is the basic building block of actually taking away outdated legislation.

"Now we need to get legislation in place for the protection of lease holders."

The majority of property in Sark is held on a leasehold basis.

BBC Radio Guernsey

The move to allow electric bikes on Sark is a step closer after the island's government agreed to deregulate the vehicles.

Currently people in the island need a doctor to say they are medically allowed to ride an e-bike, in the island on which cars are banned.

Manager of Avenue Cycle Hire, Steve Cole, said common sense has prevailed after previous attempts were thwarted as some islanders thought it would be "the thin end of the wedge" for the introduction of other electric vehicles.

He said it means in the future tourists who need it will have access to the electric bikes when they come to the island.

Lithium batteries should have been removed before waste material was delivered.

Johanna Carr
BBC News Online

Paramedics have been providing medical cover in Sark since the island's doctor was taken ill in mid-April.

The St John Ambulance Guernsey said paramedics from the emergency ambulance service have been based at the Sark Medical Centre where they have been assessing and treating islanders and visitors.

They have also been on-call through the night to respond to medical emergencies.

The service said paramedics had volunteered to work during periods when they would normally be off duty, meaning there had not been any impact on the operations of the emergency ambulance service in Guernsey.

St John has an agreement to provide support for Sark when the regular doctor is not available and responded to a request from the authorities on the island.