Channel Islands Live: As it happened

A deputy who resigned today after asking a PR agency to promote a proposed States education policy "went beyond his brief", according to Guernsey's education committee.

In a statement the committee said Deputy Meerveld was asked to "engage" with the agency and "obtain creative ideas".

Adding, they did not authorise him to organise a publicity campaign for the States.

"He has accepted that this was a mistake and has now resigned," the committee said.

Its response comes after allegations the £10,000 for the campaign had been taken from funds given to the committee to explore the possibility of a two-school model for Guernsey's secondary education system.

The committee deny this, and say the £93,000 earmarked for the two-school model plans were not used on the campaign.

A spokesman said: "The committee was very clear that monies could not be used from that source."

A call for a judicial review over the operation of the Waves air-taxi service is not a matter for the firm to comment on says Waves CEO Nick Magliocchetti.

The appeal by Blue Islands is due to return to Guernsey's Royal Court later this week.

The airline argues the way Waves is operating means it needs an air transport licence, which it does not have.

WavesCopyright: Waves

Quote Message: We are a Guernsey-based company, listening to the local community demanding more flexible travel solutions and employing local staff whenever possible. We are adding value both to the island’s community and economy." from Nick Magliocchetti Waves CEO

We are a Guernsey-based company, listening to the local community demanding more flexible travel solutions and employing local staff whenever possible. We are adding value both to the island’s community and economy."

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Some of the 55 live firearms handed in to Guernsey Police will be destroyed, the force says.

Others are being kept awaiting the formal licensing process.

Items of significant historical interest will be valued independently, allowing the person who surrendered them to decide whether they wish to sell, or donate the items to a museum, Ch Insp Phil Breban says.

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Part of a World War Two torpedo found by police on a Herm beach this weekend is just one of many wartime devices found and assessed by Guernsey Police's Bomb Disposal Unit.

It is thought Saturday's discovery could be a buoyancy compensator section of a torpedo, so not dangerous.

But plenty of explosive remnants of war have been blown up down the years.

After the war half the force performed bomb disposal duties alongside their normal roles.

Officers have dealt with thousands of items, and currently deal with about 24 items each year.

Guernsey PoliceCopyright: Guernsey Police

Winds will remain light this afternoon.

Tonight it will be largely cloudy and dry, however there is a chance of one or two light showers in the far west.

Under any clear skies some fog patches may form.

Jersey:

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Guernsey:

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EU finance ministers will gather tomorrow to decide whether to approve an EU blacklist of non-cooperative jurisdictions, or tax havens.

States of Guernsey and JerseyCopyright: States of Guernsey and Jersey

The Economic and Financial Affairs Council will decide whether or not to adopt the list, with a decision expected by the afternoon.

It is not yet known if Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man will feature.

Politicians from the Channel Islands met with Economy and Finance Minister Pierre Moscovici last month to discuss their "continued commitment" to meeting EU standards on matters of tax transparency and economic substance, the island governments said in a joint statement.

Islanders need far greater protection from lawyers charging extortionate fees, according to a legal costs expert who discovered that a Jersey advocate was charging £1,015 an hour.

Jersey Police are appealing for the public's help as they launch their 2017 Christmas campaign to clamp down on drink-driving.

More than half of previous prosecutions as part of the annual campaign were down to the public’s help, police said.

In 2016, 143 drivers prosecuted for drink driving in Jersey. 72% were men.

There are two meetings next week for islanders to give their views as the States of Jersey forms its new culture strategy.

The States has already spoken to groups in the arts, community and heritage groups, government departments, constables and consuls representing different national groups residing in the island.

You can have your say at the Société Jersiaise, Pier Road, on Monday, 11 December, from 19:00 to 20:30 and again on Tuesday, 12 December, from 12:30 to 14:00.

Islanders are being encouraged to start picking up good habits to help reduce the amount of food they waste.

A food safety and hygiene teacher at Jersey's Highlands College says he'd think twice about serving out of date food to his family.

The Channel Islands Coop says it will watch the results of an initiative in England where out of date food is being sold at discounted rates.

Pawel Kulon says he would personally take the risk, but would think twice about serving out of date food to others.

"If I was cooking for my family, that would be another question.

"Do I want my family to take the same risk I take?"

There has been a rise in the number of men who have abused their partners taking part in a programme run by a Jersey charity to help prevent them reoffending, the JEP has learned.

Ministers and officials will meet later this week to discuss the details of new plans to increase funding for higher education.

Last week, the treasury minister announced more financial support for students and their families.

Details are still being released following the announcement during the 2018 budget, but education says it should encourage more people to go on to higher education after school.

Next week a consultation will be launched asking islanders what they think of the States paying the fees for most students and increasing the amount they're given to live on.

Tracy Mourant, from the Education Department, says it'll be a chance to find out what people think.

A former Jersey parish priest who left the island after years as rector of St John has been forced to apologise to his new congregation, after it was claimed he described them as cold and unwelcoming.

In a letter to the congregation of All Saints Church in Burbage, Wiltshire, he reportedly said they were arrogant and liked to gossip.

The Bishop of Salisbury read a copy of the letter, and called the Reverend Andy Thewlis to a meeting to explain himself.

A diocese spokesman said Reverend Thewlis has since written to his congregation to apologise, and is now taking a three-month sabbatical while he considers his future.

Bailiwick charities can now apply for Christmas Lottery funding.

Tickets for this year's draw are already selling fast, with the first prize currently £845,000.

Charities can apply online for a lottery grant, or for further information.

The deadline is 31 January 2018.

It might only be 20 odd miles away, but autumn was a little warmer and quite a lot wetter in Jersey than it was in Guernsey, data shows.

It was drier and duller than average in Guernsey over the past three months, data from the Guernsey Met Department shows.

A memorial to Clinton Pringle, the child who was fatally injured after being hit by a van in Tunnell Street in June 2016, in the form of a pond, paddling pool or play area could be built in the Millennium Town Park, the St Helier constable has said.