01/05/2012 BBC Channel Islands News

Good evening. Tonight, Peter Harwood is Guernsey's new chief

minister. We will hear his priorities for power. I'm surprised,

elated and humbled, because the States have proposed a trust in me

which I know why we have to discharge. Plus, a financial

lifeline for a lifeline service. Why the States may have to step in

to keep goods moving in and out of And did the rain dance work? Fair

weather for Mayday but will it Guernsey states have today elected

a new chief minister. Peter Harwood will take on the top job, having

got the support of 27 deputies. We will hear his plans for power in a

moment. First, we report on an election that was far from

straightforward. Arriving at the States, the only official candidate

for chief minister. And one other, relying on a rule change to allow

new politicians to stand. It should be the best person for the job. We

promote that we must get rid of discrimination, and yet we have a

rule which is discriminatory. It has to be somebody standing who has

four years' experience and are the last eight. It shouldn't be like

that. That's a rule the states agreed to change here today,

despite some concerns. To some extent the damage has been done in

terms of the reputation of the States before it had even met with

the quite public spats that have gone on. But I do hope that today

will be the end of it and we can move on. A hustings meeting had

already given Deputies the chance to get to know both candidates. And

with the race officially on and with the media and public listening

closely, it was decision time. declare deputy Howwood elected to

the post of Chief Minister. leaving the States victorious,

deputy Haward was well aware the hard work starts now. I'm surprised,

elated and also humbled, because the States have proposed a trust in

me which I hope I will discharge, I know why it will discharge. But in

every race there has to be someone who comes in second. To be honest,

it was a good opportunity for the States as a whole to have that

choice. They've made their choice. I will now get behind our new Chief

Minister and support him. I hope the whole states do that, I hope

the whole island does that as well because we've got a lot to do now.

It was the first decision the new states had to make. The next will

be picking the team that will sit alongside the Chief Minister on the

policy council. Something that will happen here next week. I spoke to

the new Chief Minister a few moments ago. He is one of a number

of new deputies in this election, in what was dubbed an election for

change. I asked him how he intended to deliver that. Because I'm coming

to the role of chief minister not having any political baggage, I can

approach it without any political preconceptions, with a totally

fresh slate and approach. One of the things we will have to do his

work on delivering greater co- ordination between the councils and

the various departments of the Policy Council, that will be one of

my top priorities. We also have to improve communication between the

policy council and the States itself. May's -- those are two

initiatives I will be starting quickly. The policy council will be

next -- your next job. Will there be lots of new faces and their or

will we see a lot of the old guard? I haven't even begun to think of

the nominations for the policy council. Isaac and -- I said I

wouldn't until after the elections. I can approach that with a

completely fresh pair of eyes. As I've always said, I want the right

person for the right job, irrespective of any thing previous.

Will there be a place for Jonathan Le Toqc? I certainly hope so. We

have got on very well. I think we have similar views on policy. I

know he is interested in the Home Department. You have produced a

report on constitutional reforms. Why does what you've recommended in

the past, and if you are still committed to that? -- remind us

what you've recommended in the past. We recommended that we thought we

should go for an executive-style government. The States in 2002

voted against that proposal. We continued with consensus government,

and I am committed to Co operate in with that style of government,

unless or until the style of government is further reviewed or

changed. Organisational aside, what are the big policy issues you want

to tackle first of all? The first priority has to be to deal with the

current deficit. We have to bring our expenditure into line with our

income. That will be the first priority. Another major priority is

to look at creating new initiatives for further growth within the

economy, by encouraging or facilitating new industries and new

ventures. Next, Jersey's government is preparing to take over the only

firm in the island that moves fried on and off ships. George Troy and

Sons handles 98 % of all sea cargo, and last week they went into

liquidation. That has led to fears that Jersey could grind to a halt.

Keeping the island moving. These workers load and unload freighter

out of the harbour. Now the company they work for has gone into

liquidation, bringing worries Jersey's freight services could be

hit if the firm is forced to close. If it has to close immediately,

which is not likely to happen, then Jersey harbour would effectively

take over the management of the service and run it until a tender

process could be completed and a new company could be put in place.

That search for a new company will begin almost immediately. Dockers

were in the States today to hear an emergency question from the

Constable of St John. You have a body of 30 odd personnel currently

doing the job, who are ready to move at a moment's notice - whether

it is at 1am when a ship comes in all 6:00pm when it has to be

unloaded, these people are already in place. There's a workforce there.

We should not lose them in any event. It is believed staff have

not yet been given official notice. But they know they will be needed

by whichever firm takes over. Meanwhile, the Government will be

hoping it won't need to step in to keep the island's freight services

afloat. It has emerged down a red chip in Jersey is three times

higher than in England and Wales. Jersey police have revealed nearly

10,000 weapons registered debt 1800 owners. Gun clubs have defended the

higher figure, saying gun ownership isn't necessarily linked to

criminality. Yesterday, we saw sporting hero Bix from Jersey's

rugby and football teams. Tonight we are celebrating a fantastic

season for Jersey's netball us. Team Jets won their league and

received their trophy at the weekend. They are going one better

than the boys. They went the whole season unbeaten. Earlier, I spoke

to their coach, Linda Andrews, about that 100 % record. We are

delighted. Our first season back. That was our aim and we achieved it.

Here is your cup for the South West Division Two. Explain what the next

League Cup is and how much of a challenge that is for the team.

is just the next League Cup, South West Regional League One. But the

teams are much fitter and stronger. The disadvantage we have is having

to play two games in one day. That is going to be a massive challenge

for the girls next year. What about in terms of sponsorship and finance,

how difficult is that? We've been lucky. One Foundation and Dominion

have sponsored as for a five-year period. They've given us enough

time to get to this level and then push on a bit tired. We are very

grateful to them. What is next, how far can Team Jets go? We want to

get international league. Everybody keeps saying we are good enough to

get there. Fingers crossed, platform this year and then push on.

I believe the next thing is the under 14s and a couple of weeks'

time. Good luck to them. Morris Men and Jersey Lilies have been dancing

their way round the island today to celebrate May Day. Music, singing

and dancing started at 6am and visited each Paris -- parish to

mark the start of some up. Luckily for them, the weather played its

part in the traditional date. happens all over the world. There

will be a sites all over the world which dance on the 1st May. It is

the first day of summer really for us. It is just a case of going

around and making sure that all the fields are fertile and we have a

fields are fertile and we have a We are heading to a slightly

quieter spell of well -- weather for the middle of this week. It's

looking a lot dry up. The winds what easing and it will feel a bit

warmer. Quite a quiet night ahead of us. Low-pressure down to the

south-west. There is a weather front over the middle of the UK,

but that stays there for tomorrow. So what should be generally find a

throughout Wednesday. For Thursday, this weather front looks as if it

will move further southwards, so clouding over. We could see a bit

more wet weather towards the end of the weekend into the weekend. But

for tonight it is looking fine and dry. Cloud at times but some

clearer skies, too. A moderate breeze and temperatures no lower

than eight or nine Celsius. A dry start to the day tomorrow and some

sunshine as well. There will be a little bit of cloud at times but

the winds become very light. That means towards the end of the day is

a risk of some sea fog moving in from the north. But in the sunshine

it should stay pleasantly warm. Out at sea we have the winds coming in

from the East Go North East. -- After all the sunshine tomorrow,

probably we will see more cloud on Thursday. But it looks like it

should remain drive for much of the day, still with mainly light winds.

On Friday things turn more unsettled. Showery rain at times