16/10/2013 BBC Channel Islands News

Guernsey is facing one of its toughest decisions in years. To

raise taxes or cut services. The controversial conclusion is from a

report into the island's fiscal performance over the last few years.

While the report does not specify which taxes could go up or which

services could be cut, it does urge swift action, as Mike Wilkins

reports. Guernsey has been spending more to

keep vital services like health and education going than it brings in

through taxes. As a result it has a deficit which the island is

continuing to battle with. A report has been released giving a snapshot

of how the island is performing And its author is urging that action be

taken immediately to balance the books. It would be unwise to defer

our thinking and doing something about this deficit now, because

while the economic situation may improve fairly soon, the longer we

put it off the bigger the problems will be. And of course there is the

continuing backlog of funds allocated for capital spending. So

the sooner action is taking, the less drastic it will need to be

This report contains some positives. But it also says that the Government

faces a stark choice if it wants to keep its house in order.

This man runs an accountancy firm in the island. It is difficult when

everything you hear from everyone on the ground is we do not want to pay

more tax, but we want the same services. That combination does not

work. At some point, something has got to give. So where can we expect

the Government to make tough decisions? 2014 is a key year for

us, and as the recovery complete `` together with the tax review comes

together, it suggests that will be a key year.

It may not seem like it just yet, but next year is shaping up to be a

very significant one that could affect everyone in the island.

Guernsey Police have arrested two men in connection with an armed

robbery at a shop on Tuesday. Alcohol, cigarettes and tobacco were

taken during the raid on Longstore Handy Stores in St Peter Port at

about 5:30am. Officers say staff were threatened with a knife and an

imitation firearm ` a BB gun was found near the scene.

An investigation of an underwater suspected explosive device outside

St Peter Port Harbour will continue into tomorrow.

Royal Navy divers were unable to identify the device today and have

abandoned their efforts because of bad weather. It's thought to be a

depth charge left over from World War II.

Prisoners in Guernsey could have to spend longer in prison before

they're eligible for parole. From next year, if the States agree,

they'll have to serve at least half their sentence before applying to be

released, compared to a third at the moment. But will it put extra

pressure on the prison? Penny Elderfield reports.

With only enough room for up to 128 prisoners, last year Guernsey Prison

was stretched to the limit. Compared to last summer, when the

prison population was at a record high, this year numbers have

dropped. On this wing there are even empty cells. On average around 01

have been locked up here, compared to 117 in 2012. Good news for those

in charge. It helps with education places, workplaces, it helps with ``

it is a more manageable population now.

But, changes are coming in which could, in the short term at least,

see numbers here go up again. From next year, prisoners will have to

spend longer behind bars before they are eligible for parole, serving at

least half their sentence here, instead of a third. At the moment

people at a third of the sentence very rarely get parole, but

hopefully far more will get parole and 50%. Hopefully that will in time

lower the prison numbers. Officials are confident if it means

more are ready to be released when they come up for parole, that

increase will only be temporary Members of Jersey's Roads Committee

have raised concerns over parking and congestion at Jersey's proposed

new hospital. An improved ?300 million hospital is

planned at the existing town site and nearby Overdale. But Robert Le

Brocq from the Roads Committee is concerned existing road and parking

networks won't be able to cope. There is no point in having a

hospital, if you cannot get to it, and you have got to remember ``

remember that you have people who visit the hospital. Visiting friends

and relatives. You have to make allowances for those people.

You're watching the BBC in the Channel Islands. Later in Spotlight

with Justin and Rebecca: Why a cat`napping is being investigated by

police. They provide warmth on a cold night

` but they can also be deadly. That's the warning from Jersey Fire

and Rescue Service about faulty electric blankets. It's running a

free testing service this week, as Tim Robinson reports.

As the temperatures drop and the nights draw in, many of us reach for

a nice warm electric blanket. But if you've been reaching for the same

one for years, fire chiefs say could be putting yourself in serious

danger. If you are asleep at night, it can happen that it can catch your

duvet a light or your bedding a light, with you in the bed.

And that's why these specialists from Jersey Electricity are offering

free tests at Western Fire Station. Last year at a similar event, of 220

blankets tested, 37 were found to be dangerous ` and thrown away. That's

around one in six. These blankets are being tested by a special

machine ` but you can check at home too. You're checking for scorch

marks, frayed wires, broken thermostats, the plastic controller

that you use to turn it on and off, if it's buzzing it gives you an

indication its not quite right. So the message is if your electric

blanket is more than ten years old, or showing any of those signs ` the

best place for it is the bin. Now, do you have some old jewellery

lying at the bottom of a drawer that hasn't been worn for years? If so,

Jersey Hospice want to hear from you. They're collecting unwanted

brooches, bangles and earrings and creating unique new pieces out of

them. It's all part of a fund`raising drive for its new

multi`million pound day centre. Pam Caulfield reports.

Big plans require big funds. This is what the new ?15 million Jersey

Hospice day centre will look like when it's finished. Now money's

needed for the latest phase of building. Today an appeal was

launched to raise ?23,000 for a new consulting room. Patients who are

coming up to the hospice for day care treatment will also be able to

receive medical assessments, medical consultations and treatments in a

specially designed room. It's very important for people coming up for

the day into the day hospice care. So we'll be able to keep a regular

close eye on those who're attending. Among those at the launch were

people who've experienced the work of the hospice after losing loved

ones. Cancer is in Ellica's family ` both her grandparents died from the

disease. She's also fighting breast cancer herself ` while fronting this

funding campaign. Most people think that when the hospice is involved

that's the beginning of the end sort of thing, but they do so much

other care for people that are going through it cos it's the most

stressful, the most life`changing experience, and to have the support

network ` you feel alone even though you've got your friends and family

wanting to be there for you. It changes your entire way of thinking.

And the hospice itself has adopted a new way of thinking to raise money

this time. With people strapped for cash, it's hoped they're more likely

to part with old jewellery. The donations will be made into new

pieces that will be auctioned off ` turning unwanted items into

something the charity greatly needs. Time for a look at the weather now.

Good evening. Despite the morning rain, this afternoon has been

glorious, very good visibility, sunshine with `` but a bit blustery,

and I think that will continue. Overnight there is a small chance of

showers, and for much of the day tomorrow it is mainly fine. It stays

relatively mild. This cloud produced the rain we saw earlier today. All

this clear sky out here is a little ridge of high pressure which will

move across as tonight and be with us for much of the day tomorrow

Keeping most of the showers away from us. This new area of low

pressure and all these weather fronts down here will gather and

move wet weather right across us during the course of the day on

Friday. Friday looks like it could turn out to be quite wet. Blustery

tonight, those wins staying strong at times. Overnight I think we will

see the risk of a shower. Tomorrow, some sunshine, that is for sure

small chance of a passing shower, but I think they will be few and far

between. 17 degrees the top temperature. And less windy during

the afternoon. Times of high water.

The surf is not as messy as it has been, but a little bit on the chubby

side still. `` choppy side.

The outlook for Friday is wet. It may start of right and dry, but

quickly clouding over. Those south`east winds becoming strong,

and showers on both Saturday and Sunday.

Now, `` if you missed a programme, you can catch up on iPlayer.

Up next, the rest of programme `` Spotlight.

for the next 25 years. Sceptics say there are more modern ways to deal

with waste other than burning it. One woman's fight against breast

cancer has attracted more than 150,000 followers online. Laura

Cannon from Salcombe in Devon was just 22 when she was diagnosed last

year. This summer she underwent a double mastectomy and a gruelling

course of chemotherapy. Laura has been writing about her experience in

a blog called Laura Louise and her Naughty Disease. We'll hear from her

in a moment. But first, here are some extracts from the blog.

February, the 22nd. I told you pigs could fly. A mixture of new tablets

and a love for water has improved my chemotherapy experience.

Pink lipstick was an absolute must. August the 14th. I saw my plastic

surgeon on Monday when he looked at his handiwork, the words ding`dong

came out of his mouth. That has got to be good news, right? I have been

working out how to rock the very short hair look. It is difficult to

feel feminine. I've been talking to Laura who

started by telling me about the moment she was diagnosed with breast

cancer. The day I found out was pretty tricky. I was pretty numb. I

did not really listen to what the doctors said when they gave the

original diagnosis and what the action plan was. My main concern was

that I did not want to cry because I did not want to worry my mum who was

in the same room. I focused my energy on that. Then the blog came

about. What started it? My mum suggested it might be a good way for

me to write stuff down. It was also good for family and friends because

so many people were asking me questions. I did not really have

time to tell them all. A good record for them. What difference did it

make for you being so open and public about your disease? I don't

know. I think it was quite liberating. It was nice to be so

honest and have someone tell the story from a positive point of

view. I tried to be positive. Obviously, there were times when I

maybe wasn't. But I wanted to approach it with that sort of

attitude. You tell the story of various difficult stages of treating

the disease. The moment your hair was shaved off. There are

photographs of that. That must have been particularly difficult. Why did

you decide to share something so intimate? Because I wanted to make

that moment memorable. I had my hair shaved into different styles, a

Mohawk. I wanted to look back and laugh and have some funny things to

remember, not just remember it as the really sad day when my hair

went. Something as simple as putting the scorer on, you detail in the

blog. A lot of women take it for granted. That was quite a

milestone. A really nice day, to be able to put mascara on. Something I

missed doing. I did not have eyelashes. What feedback have you

got? 150,000 people reading it. What feedback you getting? Luckily, only

positive. I have had feedback from relatives, people going through

similar things, from different cancers, saying, thank you for being

positive, thank you for providing something for us to read that is

nice rather than depressing. I think... It has been really nice.

Where do you go from here? First of all, the treatment. You are on

radiotherapy at the moment. Something you were hoping to avoid.

Having to have radiotherapy for quite a long time. It should not be

too difficult, the doctors tell me. Five weeks. I plan on detailing

side`effects and that sort of thing. We wish you well with the treatment.

Thank you for joining us. Thank you. Thousands of teachers across the

south west are due to take part in strike action tomorrow. Members of

teaching unions the NASUWT and the NUT are protesting about pay and

pensions. Hundreds of schools across the region are expected to be

affected. In Cornwall, 104 schools will be closed or partially closed.

In Somerset, the figure is 79. In Plymouth, 52 schools will be

affected. In Devon, it's 43. And 19 in Torbay. Dorset were unable to

provide us with figures, but the advice is that all parents should

check with their child's school. John Henderson reports.

On the eve of a teachers' like, a rally in Totnes. For many taking

part in the industrial action, there is a pity for parents and anger

towards the government. It is the second time I have gone on strike in

the last 20 years and I do not do it lightly. I believe it is worth

campaigning and fighting for it. There is little doubt that a strike

by teachers can be highly disruptive. Outside one school this

afternoon, parents were making plans. I had to say to my boss, I

cannot come in on Thursday. I also tried nursery and they are closed as

well. My options were completely stumped. Described annoying because

most working parents have got to take days off. `` I think it is

quite annoying. I am having to use my daughter's dance studio. We get

charged ?60 a time for taking the children out of school. Obviously,

are we going to get compensation back?

The government has defended its plans to reform pay structures, but

unions say it is not just about pay. We are taking the action with

great regret. Unfortunately, if we do not stand up on this time, we may

not get the chance again. Education could be irrevocably changed

forever. Parents are left picking up the pieces when the schools close.

A special live page will feature on Devon and Cornwall's BBC websites

with the latest developments, reaction and comment on the strike

across England. A man from Cornwall is appealing for

help after he says his cat was kidnapped. The cat, Minx,

disappeared last month from her home in Lostwithial.

But then several weeks later, letters were sent saying the cat had

been taken away so she could start a new life in the country. The police

are treating the case as theft. Eleanor Parkinson reports. New ``

this man spent months looking for his cat, Minx. She was only just

recovering from an operation and he feared she had been run over. A

series of letters revealed that she had been taken to a new home. A

letter was received by the shop, purporting to be written by the cat.

It was saying that she had met these people and they lived in the

countryside and the cat wanted to go and live with them in the

countryside. Later it goes on to say that I am missing you all,

especially my dad, please let him know I am OK. Minx is very

well`known in the town. Spent time in shops and she would accompany her

owner to the local to sit on a bar stool. People in the town say she

should be returned. Always here in the street or in the doorway of the

social club. She used to follow her owner in and sit on the bar stool.

When he came out, she would come and sit by the side of him. She followed

him back home again. I have been putting posters up. Nigel is hoping

his poster campaign will help in his quest to get her back. Police are

treating it as theft. Understandably, the owner is upset

and they ask anyone with any information to contact them.

Although many of us are sad to see the end of summer, autumn does bring

its own seasonal rewards, particularly as the leaves start to

change colour. Apparently, we could be set for a

dazzling display this year. Emily Wood has been to a garden on the

edge of Dartmoor to find out more. Today has been a typical mix of

autumn weather was. Thankfully, the sun did come out in time for my

visit to the garden to meet up with the head gardener and to find out

why we get the change of colours that this time of year. As autumn

approaches and the temperatures change, the chlorophyll stops going

out to the leaves and they become less green. The other chemicals

stored in the leaves which are in the reds and yellows spectrum become

more visible. For best autumn colour, you needed to be dry and

sunny and dry and cool at night. Apparently, these trees will

guarantee a range of autumnal colour. They are displaying the

spectrum you would expect, green, read, purple, bronze. Other species

of trees express other colours. Strong yellows, strong reds. This is

a pinky orange. As well as a good range of colours, there has been a

bumper crop foremost through fruit trees as well `` bumper crops for

most fruit trees. This is covered in fruit. Still quite green. This is

one of the latest things to turn. It will go bright yellow in a couple of

weeks. Heading properly into autumn and over the next few weeks we will

be seeing spectacular colours in the region's Gardens and hopefully

having some fine weather to go out and see them.

I do love the colours that this time of year. You can see that report on

the Facebook page again if you want to. Let as see what the weather has

in store. The weather is going to remain

reasonably kind to us tonight and tomorrow. A bit of a change on

Friday. Tomorrow, breezy, the risk of a few showers. Equally, plenty of

sunshine to enjoy. The main area of rain, the great thick line of cloud

has moved away from us this afternoon. Clear skies further out

to the west bringing us a fair amount of clear skies tonight. This

lump of cloud may come through the Bristol Channel overnight. A line of

showers will cross us. Tomorrow, even though it does not appear

straightaway, there is a weak ridge of high pressure over southern

Britain are keeping us effectively mainly dry. It will change by

Friday. Friday, several weather systems queueing up to bring us

rain. This area of low pressure is taking up much of the North

Atlantic. Staying on settled into the weekend. There is the picture

from earlier. You can see how quickly the rain moved out of the

way. For a large part of the afternoon, some of us had almost

unbroken sunshine. Showers around now which will pep up overnight.

Drifting into parts of North Cornwall, through the North Somerset

coast, the Bristol Channel and along towards the M4. Enough clear skies

to give a glimpse of the almost full moon as well as perhaps allowing the

temperatures to fall. The only thing that. That is the strength of

reason. Quite windy overnight. `` the only thing that will stop that

is the strength of breeze. Tomorrow, a fair amount of sunny spells. The

risk of a few showers. Fairly isolated. Lengthy spells of sunshine

in the afternoon. The breeze continues to drop. It will take time

but eventually it will become less windy. The winds will come round to

becoming southerly. Temperatures higher than we should expect at the

time of year. Make the most of tomorrow. That is the best advice.

Quite a big change as we move into Friday. The forecast for the Isles

of Scilly, some sunny spells. Small chance of showers. Less windy in the

afternoon. Times of high water... If you are heading for the beach to do

surfing, I think it is likely to be a bit on the messy side. Find some

shelter perhaps and you might get some decent surfing in. The south

coast is similar. Rather messy. There is the coastal waters

forecast... Winds from the West. Backing around and becoming

south`west. Decreasing through the day. Fair but with the risk of

showers. Generally very good visibility out at sea. This does not

look too promising, does it? Showers to camp and perhaps even more

persistent rain. `` showers to come. The temperatures are pretty

good. Remaining frost free overnight for the next few nights. But it will

stay on settled. Some quite frequent showers on Saturday and Sunday. The

heaviest rain is reserved for a large part of Friday. Quite a wet

day and windy too. Some sunshine in between the showers on Saturday and

Sunday. Staying relatively mild. Have a good evening.

Before we go, the BBC has revealed its plans to mark the momentous

events of World War I. And the story of the home front is integral to

that. Here in the South West, we're asking for your help in telling the

many local stories of the first truly global conflict that helped

shape today's Britain. So, if you have a World War One

story you'd like to share, please do get in touch.

Very important story to tell and we would like your help in doing so. We

are back at 6:30pm tomorrow. Good night.