Bringing you the news, sport, travel and weather for the Channel Islands

Ryan Morrison
BBC News Online

MOT style tests will be introduced in Jersey from 2019 if proposals are approved by the States in November.

Infrastructure Minister, Deputy Kevin Lewis said the tests would cost up to £60 and a new IT system would be introduced to manage the testing.

Testing will come in at different times between 2019 and 2021 depending on the type of vehicle and would only apply to vehicles under 40 years old.

• From March 2019: minibuses will be tested annually
• Later in 2019: under-125cc motorbikes will be tested every two years from the third anniversary of their registration
• Not before 2021: Cars and larger motorbikes will be tested every three years from the fifth anniversary of the vehicle’s registration.

BBC Radio Guernsey

The chairman of Sark's Policy and Performance Committee says the island "is capable of self governance".

Conseiller Stephen Taylor was responding to comments by the UK minister responsible for the Channel Islands who said he was concerned over a lack of contested elections in the island.

Lord Keen is making his first official visit to Guernsey, Alderney and Sark this week and said he would look into the potential democratic deficit.

Jersey Evening Post

Jersey's politicians should not ‘over-regulate’ or ‘over-control’ the free market when attempting to reduce housing costs – and they could cause a recession by doing so, a leading estate agent has said., external

BBC Radio Jersey

There are plans to charge moped and mini-bus drivers in Jersey £60 for an MoT style test from 2019., external

From 2021 all cars more than five years old might also need to be tested to make sure they are roadworthy.

The tests would then have to be carried out every three years.

The move is to allow Jersey motorists to continue to drive their cars in the EU after Brexit.

There are currently no compulsory tests for vehicles.

Image source, States Assembly

BBC Radio Jersey

The interests of the Channel Islands will be considered over Brexit preparations even if there is no deal in place by March 2019 according to the minister responsible for the islands.

Lord Keen is making his first official visit to Guernsey, Alderney and Sark this week to learn about the issues facing the islands.

He says he is confident a deal will be in place by the deadline but said it might not include trade.

BBC Radio Jersey

Jersey's new sexual offences law will come into force in November, external and includes a clearer definition for rape.

The law, which also outlines what constitutes consent, has been lodged by the Home Affairs Minister Len Norman.

He said the law aims to protect all islanders particularly children and vulnerable adults from sexual violence and abuse.

The law was adopted by the States in March and will come into force on 23 November 2018.

The law will include training for teachers, police officers, youth workers and prosecution lawyers to ensure they are familiar with the new legislation.

Guernsey Press

Considering the dual role of the Bailiff in Guernsey’s government is not an immediate priority of the States Assembly and Constitution Committee, says its president., external

BBC Radio Guernsey

Young people in Guernsey want to be included in island politics according to a university professor who has been carrying out research into the island's political system.

Dr Christopher Pich is in Guernsey speaking to young voters about politics, personality and brands.

He says the people he has spoken to say they are interested in politics but feel disconnected with politicians.

Guernsey next goes to the polls on 10 October for a referendum on the island's voting system.

Guernsey Press

With just two-and-a-half weeks to go before the island-wide voting referendum, the island’s most populous parish is still short of the volunteers it needs to man its polling stations., external

BBC Channel Islands News

Jersey's secondary school pupils are being offered the flu vaccine for the first time this winter.

Figures from Jersey's health department show just over half of two to four year olds had the vaccination in 2017.

This was a significant increase on 2016, when roughly a third had the nasal spray.

Dr Linda Diggle, who oversees Jersey's vaccination schedule, hopes giving the nasal spray to more pupils will help stop the virus spreading.

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BBC Radio Guernsey

A UK minister responsible for the Channel Islands says he is concerned at a lack of candidates standing for election in Sark.

Despite a number of vacancies no-one stood for the Chief Pleas at an election in Sark earlier this year and only one stood in 2017, external.

In 2014 there were 16 candidates for 16 seats with all elected unopposed and in 2016 there were 12 candidates for 17 seats.

Lord Keen, who is visiting the Channel Islands this week, says once he has visited Sark later in the week he will look at a way to address the issue.

He says it is understandable the small size of the population presents challenges when it comes down to filling its parliament.

Sark's parliament, the Chief Pleas, is made up of 28 members elected for four years.

Bringing you the news, sport, travel and weather for the Channel Islands

BBC Radio Guernsey

A Maritime Museum in Guernsey will be closed for all of 2019.

Items usually contained inside the museum at at Castle Cornet will be removed and put in a safe place ahead of planned works to replace the roof.

Helen Glencross, the site's curator, says the fibre cement slates, which currently cover the roof, have deteriorated.

Four of the Castle’s museums will be open as normal throughout the year including the Refectory.

BBC Radio Guernsey

Work to find out the depth of L'Ancresse Anti-Tank Wall is due to start in Guernsey as part of wider plans to remove the wall.

Holes will be drilled vertically through the wall at a small number of locations and should "only have a limited impact on use of the beach" according to the States.

The work will cost about £2,000 and the holes will be filled in after the work is finished.

The States has urged beachusers to be observant and follow safety information as there will be a few movements of contractors equipment at the eastern end of the bay.

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Jersey Evening Post

Brexit could lead to ‘constitutional assaults’ on Jersey and create ‘immense’ tensions within the UK government in relation to the Crown Dependencies that ‘can only get worse’, Sir Philip Bailhache has warned., external

BBC Radio Jersey

Jersey's nurses and midwives have voted to reject a pay offer by the States of Jersey.

The Royal College of Nursing, Jersey Nursing Association and Royal College of Midwives have all lodged a formal dispute with the States of Jersey after 95% of those balloted voted to reject the pay deal.

Under the plans, the States of Jersey says nurses will see their pay increase by an average of 6.6% over two years but the RCN says only a few of its members will benefit from the rise and some will lose money.

Di Francis from the RCN says nursing staff want islanders to know they are not being greedy and are absolutely committed to delivering high quality care but enough is enough.

It comes less than a week after Jersey's teachers said they could go on strike after the October half-term if an agreement with the government over pay could not be reached.

The States has been asked for a response.

Jersey Evening Post

A new headquarters for Age Concern is due to be built within a redeveloped block of flats in Val Plaisant after plans submitted by the States-owned social housing developer were approved., external