Summary

  • Alderney health services 'still impacted' by suspension of doctor

  • NatWest to close branch in Alderney

  • Jersey smallholder wants to see growth in organic farming

  • Superman star nominated for worst actor award

  • Updates on Tuesday 24 January 2017

  1. Local Live in the Channel Islandspublished at 18:00 GMT 24 January 2017

    Chris Quevatre
    BBC News Online

    That's your lot from the team at Local Live this evening, but we're back from 08:00 tomorrow morning.

    Head back for all the latest news, sport, travel and weather across the Channel Islands.

    Don't forget, BBC One is the place to be at 18:30 - you can catch all the latest headlines with BBC Channel Islands News.

  2. States department responds to 'Jersey's environmental time bomb' reportpublished at 17:53 GMT 24 January 2017

    Chris Quevatre
    BBC News Online

    Jersey Environment Department has responded to report from a campaign group which criticised the water quality in the island.

    The report from Save Our Shoreline was entitled "The Nitrate Problem in Jersey and its Consequences: Death by Neglect – Jersey’s Environmental Time Bomb".

    The report was SOS's submission to the Scrutiny panel as part of its review on nitrate levels in Jersey's water.

    Sea lettuce

    The department thanks SOS for their response, but looked to "address inaccuracies" on the following issues:

    • It says Jersey "is not at an environmental tipping point" - it admits there are challenges ahead, but says "Jersey’s water quality is improving"
    • It's working with the Infrastructure Department to improve water quality and has adopted recommendations made in a previous review
    • It says the States approved five-year water management plan is in place
    • It claims water quality in Jersey is improving: stream quality is higher, average nitrate levels are falling, pollution incidents and storm overspills are reducing
    • It says the Action for Cleaner Water Group is "improving agricultural and horticultural practices" and fertiliser use is reducing
    • Together with Infrastructure, it's following current protocols and carry out monitoring, sampling and research in their specific areas to "ensure public safety and environmental stewardship"
    • The revised Rural Economy Strategy "will support the work of the Water Management Plan in improving water quality"
    • A planned sewage treatment works will "improve the quality of treated waste flowing to St Aubin"
    • It says that sea lettuce is a global problem - the key focus of their work is to "reduce nitrates at source"
  3. Weather: Watch out for icy patches overnight and early morningpublished at 17:46 GMT 24 January 2017

    BBC Weather

    It'll be dry with clear spells this evening and tonight.

    This will allow temperatures to fall away leading to the risk of a ground frost overnight, with some icy patches forming on untreated surfaces. Minimum Temperature: 2C (36F).

    Weather map

    It'll be a cold and frosty start to Wednesday morning, although it will be dry with good spells of sunshine for many.

    However, the cloud will increase during the afternoon, becoming fairly overcast by the end of the day. It will feel cold with a brisk south-easterly wind. Maximum Temperature: 8 Deg C (46 Deg F)

  4. Health to review report recommendationspublished at 17:40 GMT 24 January 2017

    Chris Quevatre
    BBC News Online

    Guernsey's Health and Social Care Committee says it is reviewing the recommendations made by an independent report into health care provision in Alderney.

    Dr Peter Rabey, Medical Director for the committee, said: "HSC, working closely with colleagues and residents in Alderney, has made considerable progress recently in terms of governance and the provision of services delivered for the Alderney community."

    Mignot Memorial Hospital

    "I am pleased to say that some recommendations highlighted in the report are already becoming well embedded into practice between Alderney and Guernsey. The VTC (Video Teleconferencing) link in particular has been praised by Alderney service users as it minimises the need for travel.

    "Whilst still in the pilot phase of the project I am delighted that opportunities to widen its use are being investigated throughout HSC."

  5. Jersey 'not set up for cycling'published at 17:29 GMT 24 January 2017

    BBC Radio Jersey

    A campaigner for better transport in Jersey says the island is not well set up for cycling.

    This morning, volunteers from Jersey In Transition were out at various places around the island counting the number of bicycles being used to commute.

    Organisers hope ministers will use the findings to improve traffic planning.

    Ruth Baier-Rolls, who organised the count, said cycling in Jersey isn't always easy.

    Quote Message

    I think a lot of the cycling paths are disjointed, and one has to go into the road and one has to cross the roads and really difficult roads like the English harbour where there's a bend in the road. There's lots and lots that can be done if one puts an effort towards it."

    Ruth Baier-Rolls, Jersey in Transition

  6. One week left to vote on Unsung Heropublished at 17:19 GMT 24 January 2017

    BBC Radio Guernsey

    You have just one week left to place your vote for the Specsavers Unsung Hero of 2016. 

    The award recognises behind the scenes contributions made by people in the Bailiwick of Guernsey.

    This year, seven nominees have been chosen by a panel of judges, with the public able to vote for them until next Tuesday.

    The nominees are:

    • Roger Reddall of the Rocquaine Regatta
    • Geoff George from the GSPCA
    • Gerry Le Roy from the Cardiac Action Group
    • Liz Timms at Guernsey Citizens Advice
    • Ray Peacegood for his charity work with Active
    • Maureen Wright and Sandra Hardhill, of the Guernsey Voluntary Service's Russels Day Centre.

    You can either vote on the Specsavers website or fill in a form at their head office or market street shop.

  7. Year of the fire rooster stamps 'full of Chinese meanings'published at 17:08 GMT 24 January 2017

    Chris Quevatre
    BBC News Online

    Guernsey Post has released a set of stamps to coincide with the Chinese new year.

    It's the year of the rooster, which features in the design by Artist Chrissy Lau.

    It's the fourth Chinese new year set in the series and is expected to attract interest in the global market - Bridget Yabsley of Guernsey Post says the stamps are full of symbolism.

    Chinese stamps
    Quote Message

    A lot of the pattern work has Chinese meanings. It's the year of the fire rooster this year, so all the symbolism is worked into the patterns. Whether the rooster is facing right or left, or if there's a group or chicks in - there's always reasons behind it."

    Bridget Yabsley, Guernsey Post

  8. Alderney health changes could save £150,000 in flight costspublished at 16:49 GMT 24 January 2017

    Chris Quevatre
    BBC News Online

    Greater levels of local care provision in Alderney could potentially lead to large savings "in the region of £150,000" per year.

    Patients regularly have to travel to Guernsey for treatment, incurring travel costs, inconvenience costs, and "out-of-pocket costs" for families.

    DornierImage source, Jonathan Le Ray

    The report also recommends increased use of videoconferencing for mental health services, which it says could make "significant savings".

    Another recommendation - making seatbelts compulsory - could save £10,000 per year, according to the report.

  9. Guernsey Post releases new stampspublished at 16:31 GMT 24 January 2017

    Chris Quevatre
    BBC News Online

    Yesterday we had the new Meadow Pipit stamps, featuring the endangered species of bird.

    Today it's another set of stamps to celebrate the Chinese new year.

    Guernsey Post are on a roll...

    Stamps
  10. Shortage of land 'biggest problem' for GHApublished at 16:23 GMT 24 January 2017

    BBC Radio Guernsey

    Shortage of land is the biggest challenge facing Guernsey Housing Association, according to its chief executive.

    The association works with the States to provide affordable housing for rent or partial ownership.

    Steve Williams

    Latest figures show it has about 800 properties on its books but Chief Executive Steve Williams says there's demand for far more.

    He says after a slow down in 2015 things are picking up - but finding suitable sites remains a problem.

  11. NatWest roles in Alderney are at risk of redundancypublished at 16:12 GMT 24 January 2017

    BBC Radio Guernsey

    NatWest says the two full-time employees at the branch in Alderney are at risk of being made redundant.

    One other temporary member of staff will see their contract end when the branch closes in June.

    The two members of staff in the St Peter's branch in Guernsey - which is also closing - will be relocated to other branches on the island.

    NatWest St Peter's branch
  12. Minister rejects farming strategy claimspublished at 16:01 GMT 24 January 2017

    BBC Radio Jersey

    Jersey's Economic Development minister has rejected claims his department has taken two years to come up with a plan for the island's farming industry.

    Mark Forskitt, an islander who grows organic produce, said delays in publishing a clear plan for Jersey's countryside shows a lack of interest in farming. 

    He said he'd been asking for almost two years where the Rural Economic Strategy is.

    But Minister Senator Lyndon Farnham expressed surprise at the criticism, saying a new plan will be published tomorrow.

  13. London Welsh won't be allowed to continue in the Championshippublished at 15:52 GMT 24 January 2017

    Chris Quevatre
    BBC News Online

    England Rugby has confirmed that London Welsh - a team playing in the same league as the Jersey Reds - won't be allowed to continue playing in the Championship.

    Liquidators were appointed to the club last month, and have not met the necessary conditions to continue under a temporary licence.

    Jersey were due to play the London side next weekend at St Peter.

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  14. Alderney health review calls for improvementspublished at 15:41 GMT 24 January 2017

    Ben Chapple
    BBC News Online

    A review of the health services offered in Alderney has recommended a number of changes be made.

    Rory Lyons

    The report, by the University of Aberdeen's Centre for Rural Health, suggests the following changes:

    • Dr Rory Lyons should receive a full apology from Guernsey's health services and be encouraged to return to practice after the events surrounding his suspension
    • Structure and financing of general practice needs to change - various options suggested
    • Residents should formally register with a practice
    • More support for Alderney clinicians, including paid study leave
    • Greater use of the Mignot Memorial Hospital
    • Increasing the visits of consultants from Guernsey to Alderney and video conferencing to cut travel costs
    • Improve clinical governance, professional regulation and data systems
    • Alderney States and public should set their own health service priorities and allocate resources
    • Ambulance volunteers should be trained to provide emergency treatment
    • Improve midwifery, sexual health services, physiotherapy, mental health services and access to social workers
    • Succession planning for key roles
    • Moves to prevent the causes of disease and ill health
    • Overhaul web services to provide Alderney residents with the same online services as Guernsey residents
  15. BBC Weather Watchers: Fancy a swim?published at 15:27 GMT 24 January 2017

    BBC Weather Watchers

    Andy's been down to Vazon to take this picture.

    These panoramic views are becoming something of a regular feature on Local Live this year...

    Vazon
  16. States of Alderney 'welcome request for full and heartfelt apology to Dr Lyons'published at 15:12 GMT 24 January 2017

    Chris Quevatre
    BBC News Online

    The States of Alderney says they "welcome the request for a full and heartfelt apology to Dr Rory Lyons".

    One of the recommendations within a report into the health care provision in Alderney was that Dr Lyons would be encouraged to return as medical practitioner in Alderney.

    Dr Rory Lyons

    In a statement, the chairman of Alderney's top committee - Policy and Finance - said the report makes some important recommendations - including a need for the collection and compilation of data to substantiate investment and institutional change.

    The chairman said the report highlighted two important factors in Alderney health care:

    • The differences between Alderney and Guernsey and the consequent requirement for different approaches to primary medical care on the two islands
    • The options for institutional change in the way that primary and secondary health care might be delivered
  17. Justice Select Committee arrive in Guernsey for Brexit talkspublished at 14:58 GMT 24 January 2017

    Chris Quevatre
    BBC News Online

    The UK Justice Select Committtee has now arrived in Guernsey for their talks with government, business leaders and industry about the potential implications of Brexit on the island.

    The committee has already visited the Isle of Man and Jersey, and it follows up on evidence submitted by the States of Guernsey last year.

    The main topics on the agenda are:

    • Fisheries and agriculture
    • Financial services
    • Free movement of people
    • Customs and goods