04 May: Further arrest made in murder probe

A deputy has claimed scrutiny of government is "failing" because panels do not have enough resources to keep up with their workload.

Deputy Tracy Vallois, who left a ministerial position because she felt marginalised, said the current system isn't working because the gap between scrutiny and ministry is too great.

This week the chief minister said he wanted to make the system of government more inclusive, and help politicians work together more effectively.

Quote Message: There is one officer to a scrutiny panel compared to a minister with a whole department of officers. I talk about this frequently with regards to the resources offered to all members, we're not equal in that respect. Previously and currently scrutiny fail to follow up on reviews, and it's something we have to improve on." from Deputy Tracy Vallois States of Jersey

There is one officer to a scrutiny panel compared to a minister with a whole department of officers. I talk about this frequently with regards to the resources offered to all members, we're not equal in that respect. Previously and currently scrutiny fail to follow up on reviews, and it's something we have to improve on."

Channel Islands' Air Search has thanked Condor Ferries for its continued support.

The ferry company calculates it has raised more than £20,000 for the organisation over the past five years.

The voluntary service provides a "rapid response airborne search and rescue service in Channel Island waters".

Quote Message: Each year it costs around £140,000 to keep Air Search operational so we need all the help we can get. We are all looking forward to the new aircraft arriving later in 2017 and on behalf of all of the volunteers, we would say a big thank you." from John Fitzgerald Channel Islands’ Air Search

Each year it costs around £140,000 to keep Air Search operational so we need all the help we can get. We are all looking forward to the new aircraft arriving later in 2017 and on behalf of all of the volunteers, we would say a big thank you."

Guernsey's Lieutenant Governor has expressed his support for a Guernsey National Trust project to restore the loophole tower at Fermain, St Martin.

The Trust hopes to raise £200,000 to restore the 18th Century tower.

They plan to convert it into a holiday home for paying guests by spring 2018, and have already spent more than £20,000 on it.

Lieutenant Governor Sir Ian Corder, a patron of the project, said the development could help put Guernsey's National Trust on the map.

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Quote Message: It's a great idea, it's fascinating. I'm sure it'll attract a lot of attention, it's fairly unique and it will help put the national trust a little bit more the map as well." from Sir Ian Corder Lieutenant Governor, Guernsey

It's a great idea, it's fascinating. I'm sure it'll attract a lot of attention, it's fairly unique and it will help put the national trust a little bit more the map as well."

The skies will cloud over again overnight, although there will be a few clear spells too.

The winds will also strengthen towards dawn. Minimum Temperature: 9C (48F).

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Friday will remain mostly cloudy and dry, although there may will be some brighter spells too.

It will become rather windy through the day too. Maximum Temperature: 15C (59F).

The Minister for Home Affairs Deputy Kristina Moore has commended Mike Bowron, Chief Officer for the States of Jersey Police who announced his retirement yesterday, saying he would leave "an enduring legacy" after "exemplary" leadership.

Deputy Moore said: "Mike has overseen significant improvements to the force, which have undoubtedly resulted in a greatly enhanced level of public confidence in the police.

"I have seen for myself the commitment and professionalism of officers under Mike’s leadership and how in touch they are with the public they serve.

"Whilst I am disappointed to be losing a chief officer of such ability, I fully understand his decision to retire. On behalf of the people of Jersey, I wish Mike all the very best for his future retirement."

The airline Aurigny has launched special flights to Southampton Airport ahead of the retirement of its final Trislander aircraft.

Aurigny AirlinesCopyright: Aurigny Airlines

Aurigny donated one of its Trislanders to Solent Sky Museum last month.

The aircraft G-BEVT was built in 1977 and was registered to Aurigny in 1983 and has flown more than 86,000 flights in its lifetime.

The Trislanders are being replaced by Dornier 228s.

Tickets are priced at £50 each, with all the profits going to the charity, Channel Islands Air Search.

"Both Southampton and Guernsey Airports have agreed to waive all the airport fees, so extra funds can go to the charity", a spokesman for Aurigny said.

The number of nursing vacancies at Jersey's hospital has more than doubled in the past three years.

Latest figures show more than one in 10 qualified nursing posts are vacant.

A spokeswoman said: "All vacancy statistics of this type are snapshots giving the picture at a particular point in time.

"The numbers fluctuate constantly as new staff are hired and others leave. Not all vacancies are open to recruitment, as around one-third of the vacant posts have been offered, with successful applicants going through clearance or awaiting a start date to come into post.

"This reflects the fact that managers are pro-actively recruiting and taking steps to address the vacancy situation."

Jersey's Sexual Assault Referral Centre, located at Dewberry House on Route du Fort, has opened.

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Evidence from sex attacks will now be kept at the centre for up to two years to give victims more time to decide if they want to prosecute.

A States of Jersey spokesman said: "It is estimated around 800 people are affected by rape or sexual assault in every year."

The centre will also help victims seek medical examinations with or without the authorities.

RNAS Culdrose has said it is "with a heavy heart" that it will not be providing an 829 Naval Air Squadron Merlin helicopter for the Liberation Day celebrations.

Lt Daniel Gregory said he had been looking forward to it, but only a limited number of aircarft are available, and hoped to get involved again in the future.

The helicopter had been due to land and be on display at North Beach car park.

As a result, parking restrictions due to be in place at the car park before and on Liberation Day have been lifted.

GoogleCopyright: Google

Its claimed Jersey's political system is failing because of politicians poor abilities and self interest.

Political reformer John Henwood, who helped to formulate the ministerial system with the Clothier report, said members have failed to reform the way the island is governed because they are "too concerned about themselves".

He added that he is "sceptical" about the chief minister's call for change this week, and said changes could have been made a long time ago.

One of the proposals in the Clothier report nearly 20 years ago was that there should be a single category of states member.

Quote Message: When we get a single class of member, and individuals who can see that under the new system they may have a better, more equal, opportunity of making a contribution, better candidates will come forward. Frankly, a lot of the problems we have today is the poor ability of the people that we elect." from John Henwood

When we get a single class of member, and individuals who can see that under the new system they may have a better, more equal, opportunity of making a contribution, better candidates will come forward. Frankly, a lot of the problems we have today is the poor ability of the people that we elect."

Guernsey's National Trust is hoping to raise £200,000 to restore an 18th Century loophole tower at Fermain Bay.

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The fundraising campaign was launched this morning and aims to converted the tower into a holiday home for paying guests by spring 2018.

More than £25,000 has already been spent on renovating the site.

The last round of tickets have been made available for the Liberation International Music Festival in Jersey.

Liberation International Music FestivalCopyright: Liberation International Music Festival

The event, run by charity Music in Action in aid of the Red Cross runs from 6-14 May in venues across the island.

Organisers describe the festival's theme as "exploring liberation, artistic freedom and the power of music to liberate the spirit". 

It is one of several events to mark the Channel Islands 72nd anniversary of Liberation from Nazi occupation during World War Two.

Jersey's Chief Minister Ian Gorst is currently in Durban, South Africa, attending the World Economic Forum on Africa.

The meeting is a gathering of regional and global leaders from business, government and civil society to "agree priorities that will help Africa achieve growth", a spokesman from the chief minister's office said.

The minister will also attend meetings and offer African ministers advice on anti-corruption policy. 

A spokesman said: "Jersey has a strong message to convey on its recent successes in prosecuting complex corruption, fraud and money laundering cases; which is indicative of the Island’s commitment to combat financial crime and particularly issues of bribery and corruption." 

The forum finishes tomorrow.

States of JerseyCopyright: States of Jersey

Quote Message: Jersey has positive, strengthening relationships with several countries in Africa and these continue to develop positively for our mutual benefit. In late 2016 we entered into an important Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of Rwanda, and in March of this year I signed a preliminary asset sharing agreement, paving the way for the return of £3m of stolen assets to the people of Kenya." from Senator Ian Gorst Chief Minister, States of Jersey

Jersey has positive, strengthening relationships with several countries in Africa and these continue to develop positively for our mutual benefit. In late 2016 we entered into an important Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of Rwanda, and in March of this year I signed a preliminary asset sharing agreement, paving the way for the return of £3m of stolen assets to the people of Kenya."

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

The president of the Education, Sport and Culture Committee wants to continue to shift Guernsey's school holidays so they are slightly out of step with the UK.

Deputy Paul Le Pelley said adjusting the February half term so it's a week later than England has made family travel more affordable during the holiday period.

He's open to extending the initiative to other parts of the school calendar.

A strong financial case could exist for offshore wind power in Guernsey, an industry professor has said, as he urged government to look into sustainable energy supplies for the future.

The Guernsey Fire and Rescue Service marked a one-minute silence today as part of the Firefighters Memorial Day.

The last Guernsey firefighter died serving in 1964.

The day remembers firefighters who have died while working.

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A Jersey deputy says there needs to be an "in committee debate" on the report looking into the failure of the innovation fund.

Quote Message: I'm asking for an in committee debate. This type of debate is like debating a proposition except whereas we normally only get one chance to speak on a proposition we can speak more than once. If points are raised by other members or other comments are mentioned you would like to comment on you get a second chance. Therefore we can have a full examination of what the innovation report actually says." from Deputy Mike Higgins States of Jersey

I'm asking for an in committee debate. This type of debate is like debating a proposition except whereas we normally only get one chance to speak on a proposition we can speak more than once. If points are raised by other members or other comments are mentioned you would like to comment on you get a second chance. Therefore we can have a full examination of what the innovation report actually says."

Since 4 April police in Jersey have been investigating the death of Ana Rebelo in St Helier. 

Here's what we know so far:

• Her body was found in a property in Victoria Street at 10:49 on Tuesday 4 April after police and an ambulance were called.
• Police immediately announced they were treating her death as "suspicious".
• Detectives opened a "major incident room" at police headquarters and began interviewing key witnesses.
• A 58-year-old man was arrested at 14:50 on Tuesday 4 April on suspicion of murder, but was subsequently released on bail.

• A UK Home Office pathologist travelled to Jersey on Wednesday 5 April to carry out a post-mortem examination.
• Specialist liaison police officers were appointed to support the victim's family.
• Officers at the time told the BBC there was "no issue of public safety".
• Police later announced Ms Rebelo, 51, died as a result of being "strangled" and launched appeals to speak to anyone who knew her.
• On 26 April, investigating officers announced there was more than 40 officers and staff working on the case, with 166 lines of inquiry.
• They added they were continuing forensic work, "house-to-house" questioning, and reviewing "passive data" from CCTV, phones and social media.
• Today police announced a 25-year-old man had been arrested on suspicion of murder, and both he and the man released on bail were to be interviewed.