BBC Radio Jersey

Jersey's existing hospital buildings will be subject to a detailed asbestos survey before any demolition work begins, according to government officials.

The government says patients, staff, visitors and other hospital users will be kept well away from any work to knock down the current building, to make way for the new one.

The States says a specialist company has been employed to review all buildings owned by Jersey's government and its reports are used to guide plans for asbestos removal.

A spokesperson said that in recent years, this process has already led to asbestos being removed safely from parts of Jersey's hospital estate.

Ryan Morrison
BBC News Online

A States spokesman says they are "disappointed" at a teachers union call for strike action over a proposed pay rise.

Regional secretary of the National Education Union, Andy Woolley, says the government claims the offer is for a 6.5% rise but "the truth is it's just over 4%". He says that's less than inflation and teachers are now worse off.

The States spokesman said: "The pay offers were approved by the States Employment Board and are intended to achieve the best deal possible, to tackle equal pay issues and raise the incomes of the lowest-paid.

"They will cost £33.6 million over the two years, on top of the £359 million pay bill."

Guernsey Press

Three of the five options in next month’s referendum now have a campaign group behind them, with the announcement that a group backing Option C is to be launched – and it is looking for volunteers to help ‘change the island’s future’., external

BBC Radio Jersey

A company that offers international students trips to countries including the UK, USA and Canada to learn English has stopped promoting Jersey as one of its destinations.

STS students are often spotted around the island wearing yellow back packs.

The company says a lack of demand means it's stopped actively advertising courses in Jersey but it hopes to send students to the island again in the future, if they express an interest.

Ryan Morrison
BBC News Online

There are "no plans" to introduce rent caps on commercial properties in Jersey according to the island's economic development minister.

Senator Lyndon Farnham was responding to a petition calling for caps on private and commercial properties.

The petition was published on 13 August, external and has been signed by nearly 3,000 people.

The petition said: "Rents are far too high. Rents should be around 30% of people's salaries. The present rents are causing rent distress in individuals and businesses to close."

Housing Minister, Senator Sam Mezec, said they were examining a number of options to reduce private rents but caps don't always work.

Mr Farnham said: "Rents are a function of the market and I'm not minded to introduce rent controls that might negatively impact on the supply and quality of commercial premises."

Jersey Evening Post

Fort Regent could be forced to close within five years unless major investment is found to rejuvenate the ageing facility, the politician with responsibility for sport has warned., external

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BBC Radio Jersey

A Jersey doctor says the island's new hospital will be in crisis again in ten years if the near half a billion pound building is constructed on the existing site.

Hospital consultant Miklos Kassai gave evidence last night to the independent planning inquiry into the proposed rebuild.

Image source, States of Jersey

The inquiry is currently reviewing plans to build the £466m new hospital on the same site as the current Jersey General Hospital.

Mr Kassai told the inquiry building on the current site would also prevent the hospital from moving with the times in future.

He says hospital workers don't believe the current scheme is suitable, because of the disruption it would cause to doctors, nurses and patients.

The consultant says health officials should present a list of alternative sites and give the people of Jersey a vote on where it should be built.

BBC Radio Jersey

Jersey teaching unions will be asking their members to go on strike after describing their recent pay offer as "a con trick".

Regional secretary of the National Education Union, Andy Woolley, says the government claims the offer is for a 6.5% rise but the truth is it's just over 4%. He says that's less than inflation and teachers are now worse off.

It comes as part of a wider public service workers pay deal. The results of a ballot on nurses pay is expected soon.

Mr Woolley says he will be discussing how best to ballot members on strike action but says the door is always open for the States to renegotiate.

The States has been approached for a comment.

BBC Channel Islands News

Cancer doctors in Southampton say a new treatment centre paid for in part by donations from the Channel Islands is already saving lives.

Immunotherapy involves using the body's own immune system to fight the disease and people in the islands have donated millions towards the new centre at Southampton Hospital.

The dedicated centre opened in March after three years of fundraising.

Image source, Sonia Bassilio

Sonia Bassilio says her son Xano was part of a trial at the hospital and after five months of the new therapy he was in remission.

Xano had advanced cancer throughout his body and the outlook wasn't good. Four years later and he is clear of cancer.

Ryan Morrison
BBC News Online

Jersey could take Alderney's waste and burn it in the island's energy from waste plant in a deal that would "support our neighbours", according to Jersey's infrastructure minister.

If approved by the States, Alderney would ship about 600 tonnes of black bag waste to be processed in Jersey costing the smaller island about £150 per tonne.

Deputy Kevin Lewis says this is less than the amount of waste produced by Jersey's smallest parish. He said St Mary produces about 900 tonnes of waste each year.

Image source, States Assembly

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Edward Rowe
BBC Radio Guernsey

Aurigny's second new Dornier aircraft is set to enter service this week.

The two new aircraft will provide the majority of inter-island flights with back up from an older Dornier.

The new model will have the registration G-ETAC after the rocks which house the gannet colony.

Aurigny's Chief Executive Officer, Mark Darby, said the new aircraft is an "important investment" and ensures the airline has a fleet that can serve the island well "for years to come".

The maiden commercial flight is expected to take place later this week.

BBC Radio Guernsey

A senior Guernsey politician says a centre that helps people with physical disabilities is "heavily reliant" on volunteers to keep it operating and it is struggling to find new people.

Deputy Michelle Le Clerc, President of Employment and Social Security, says other charities on the island are also feeling the pinch when it comes to dwindling volunteer numbers.

She was speaking at the launch of a new internet cafe at the Ron Short Centre, which was launched to give those with disabilities the chance to use computers.

BBC Radio Jersey

Jersey could incinerate Alderney's waste as part of a £150 per tonne deal due to be considered by the States.

Jersey's government has said it could earn £90,000 and generate enough power at the island's energy from waste plant for more than 100 homes.

The States Assembly has to approve the deal before Jersey can accept the waste.

Infrastructure Minister, Deputy Kevin Lewis, says he hopes to bring the proposals to the States on 6 November.

Jersey Evening Post

The sale of States-owned farmland in the Coastal National Park has yet to be formalised more than two months after a bid was accepted from the National Trust for Jersey., external

Ryan Morrison
BBC News Online

People with a Jersey passport are being urged to check whether it will still be valid if there is a no-deal on Brexit.

When the UK leaves the EU next year new rules will apply for all British passport holders including those holding passports issued in Jersey.

These will apply when travelling within the Schengen area, including to Austria, France and Greece.

The States of Jersey has launched a passport validity calculator, external to make it easier for people to check their passports before travel.

If there is a no deal, an adult passport must have been issued within 10 years of the holder's arrival date and adult and child passports must be valid for six months from the date the holder arrives in the Schengen area.

Guernsey urged its residents to check their passports in a similar way last week.

Image source, PA

Chris Quevatre
BBC News Online

An owl found in a rubbish bin has been released back into the wild.

The GSPCA has been caring for Blucher for two months, and released her on Belvoir Hill in Herm on Sunday.

Chris Quevatre
BBC News Online

Some of Condor's ferry services have been cancelled due to stormy weather.

The services running between Guernsey, Jersey and Poole have been cancelled for Wednesday and Thursday.

Predicted wind speeds above the safe operating limits have led Condor to cancel services.

The schedules affected are the 09:15 departure from Poole to Guernsey, the 12:45 Guernsey to Jersey, the 14:45 Jersey to Guernsey sailing and the return from Guernsey to Poole at 16:25.

All travellers affected are being offered alternative transfers or a full refund.

Condor says it is monitoring the long range weather forecast and will make further announcements to any possible changes for the weekend.

Chris Quevatre
BBC News Online

Rather windy this morning, but the winds are then expected to ease through the afternoon.

It will be a mainly dry and fine day with spells of sunshine, but there is the chance of a shower too.