BBC Radio Guernsey

Members of the Guernsey branch of the union Unite have voted to strike over what they have described as "a below cost of living pay offer" and claims that a union rep was unfairly dismissed.

It follows talks on Thursday to discuss the latest offer made to public service employees by the government.

They say they are unhappy with the offer on the table for 2019 and are calling for a stoppage of work next Wednesday.

Staff affected include cleaners and porters as well as housekeeping and maintenance workers at the hospital, States Works and the Airport Fire Service.

Unite says essential operations at the hospital and airport will not be affected, but the Policy and Resources Committee is urging them to reconsider and reopen negotiations.

Deputy Gavin St Pier described today's announcement as disappointing and "no way to negotiate".

Deputy Gavin St Pier has tweeted that he first heard of next Wednesday's threatened strikes by Unite workers from the States' official Twitter feed.

The Chairman of Reform Jersey, Sam Mézec, has responded to the sacking of Deputy Geoff Southern by calling on the States Employment Board to resolve the ongoing pay dispute with teachers.

Deputy Southern was dismissed by the Social Security Minister, Deputy Judy Martin, for proposing a vote of no confidence in the SEB over its failure to prevent industrial action by Jersey teachers.

Senator Mézec went on to explain that Deputy Southern had refused to resign because he felt his actions were in line with his commitment to "support our public services and fight for an improved standard of living for all".

Adam Durbin
BBC News Online

A charitable 5km fun run where more than 150 runners gathered on Easter Weekend dressed as chickens has raised £1,000 for the Priaulx Premature Baby Foundation.

Jo Priaulx, trustee of the foundation, expressed her gratitude for the efforts.

“The funds raised will go towards providing support to premature babies and seriously poorly children and their families who have to travel off-island for treatment.”

Sponsored by local law firm Bedell Cristin, managing partner Kate Ovenden said the firm was proud to organise an event for such a "worthwhile cause".

Image source, Bedell Cristin

Hayley Westcott
BBC News Online

The Youth Commission for Guernsey and Alderney has announced the appointment of its new chief executive.

Charlie Cox was previously the service manager at the charity and has worked closely within the Bailiwick's children and young people's voluntary sector.

She has also held the Children's Service Manager role in both Guernsey and Jersey for Barnardo's.

Image source, Youth Commission for Guernsey and Alderney

Chair at the Youth Commission, Mark Thompson said he was looking forward to Ms Cox's "energy and expertise benefitting the organisation further in her new role".

Ms Cox said she was "honoured" to be representing the charity.

"Since merging with The Hub, we have developed our services to offer the highest quality support for children and young people in the Bailiwick and I am looking forward to continuing this with our board, staff and volunteers," she said.

Brent Pilnick
BBC Sport

Jersey's Serena Guthrie will captain England at July's Netball World Cup.

The 29-year-old Team Bath player was part of the England side which won Commonwealth Games gold last year.

Image source, Getty Images

"Being selected and asked to be captain is a proud moment for me," the former Le Rocquier School student said.

"It's going to be a real honour for us all to step out in front of the nation."

Deputy Geoff Southern has been sacked from his role as assistant minister of social security.

Adam Durbin
BBC News Online

Deputy Geoff Southern has been dismissed from his role as assistant social security minister after proposing a vote of no confidence in the States Employment Board.

He proposed the vote because of ongoing negotiations between the SEB and teaching unions, which have so far failed to come to an agreement on pay.

Social Security Minister Deputy Judy Martin had initially asked for his resignation, a request which was refused.

In an official statement on the termination, Deputy Martin said that his actions were "not compatible" with his role in the government.

BBC Radio Jersey

People who survived abuse in Jersey care homes have told the care inquiry panel they don't want Haut de la Garenne to be demolished.

The former care home was the focus of the abuse inquiry - and the panel concluded its report by recommending the site should be knocked down.

The panel members are in the island to see what progress has been made on its suggestions for change.

Earlier a group that was formed after the panel published its report said they unanimously agreed the building should be saved.

Members told the panel it was not the building that hurt children.

They've called for a visible memorial at a site yet to be determined with a competition for the best design.

Image source, Getty Images

Hayley Westcott
BBC News Online

The House Price Index report for the first quarter of 2019 has been published by Statistics Jersey.

In the first quarter of 2019, on a rolling four-quarter basis, the average price of dwellings sold in Jersey was essentially unchanged compared with the previous quarter.

More information can be found here., external

Image source, Statistics Jersey

Rory O'Reilly
BBC Radio Guernsey

Beau Sejour Leisure Centre's staff, facilities and engagement with the local community are now ranked among the best in the British Isles.

The centre has been awarded a Quest - a national leisure-based quality award.

Quest is the Sport England recommended tool for leisure facilities, and is designed to measure how effective they are at providing customer service as well as how it engages with the community.

The centre was visited by a mystery inspector in February which was followed by a two-day assessment in April from Leisure Net, which has completed similar assessments at more than 450 leisure centres across the British Isles.

Out of the 12 modules assessed at Beau Sejour, eight scored an "excellent" rating, which brought the centre's overall score from 2017 of "very good" up to "excellent".

Hayley Westcott
BBC News Online

A parked car was damaged after being hit by another car in Guernsey, police have said.

Officers were called to South Esplanade, St Peter Port, at about 10:30 on Sunday 19 May.

The dark blue Mercedes was parked outside Coco Café and reported to have been hit by a large white Mercedes - causing minor damage to the driver's side door.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Guernsey Police on 01481 72111.

BBC Radio Guernsey

Politicians will continue to debate later what should be done with building or construction waste in Guernsey.

Proposals on the table are to extend the current dumping site at Longue Hougue, or use the waste to extend the harbour at St Peter Port or St Sampson.

Among the other issues discussed on the first day of the May States meeting was air pollution around Guernsey's power plant, the committee responsible for States' assets said it wanted to use profits to reduce prices, and changes to a public servants pension scheme were passed.

BBC Weather

It will remain dry with a good deal of sunshine and perhaps just little patchy cloud developing.

However, it won't be as warm as Wednesday.

Highs of 15C (59F).

Jersey:

Guernsey: