12/03/2014 BBC Channel Islands News

Welcome to BBC Channel Islands. Coming up on the programme. A new

man at the top. Jonathan le Tocq is Guernsey's new Chief Minister. He

had kind words for his opponent. We have a strong privy Council. He is

still part of that. Also ahead ` as half of working households are

priced out of Jersey property, should more houses by built? And

splash for cash ` as the swimarathon gets under way, we visit a charity

that benefits. Guernsey has a new Chief Minister.

Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq was elected by a narrow margin at today's States

meeting. He takes over from Deputy Peter Harwood, who resigned last

month following a magazine article about his positions with the Channel

Island Stock Exchange and Guernsey's financial services regulator.

Arriving at the Royal Court with their political future about to be

decided. The Social Security Minister Allister Langlois versus

the Home Department Minister, Jonathan Le Tocq. And for the man

about to relinquish the role of Chief Minister, it was a sad day. I

feel very disappointed. There is a lot of work that needs to be done.

Hopefully I should retain some engagement and sit on one or two

committees. After a quick handshake, it was into the States Chamber.

After almost two hours of speeches and questions from their fellow

deputies, the vote was in. Deputy Le Tocq won by just two votes, a fine

margin, especially considering that four States members were absent.

When Deputy Harbord was elected, I thought that that time that the 's

would have made a difference. You can analyse that to death. But

we have got a strong policy Council. For the loser, today marks

the beginning of the end of his political career. My career,

politically, will end in April, 2016, as I have said. I have got a

lot to do at Social Security. And I have other responsibilities on the

policy Council that people know about. So as the new Chief Minister

settled into his role today, former Chief Ministers had some punchy

advice. It is a thankless task. Anyone who has held the office will

confirm that. You need an enormous number of skills, a strong

personality. I think both candidates have got that, but sometimes that

strength of personality can be interpreted as arrogance. You have

to show leadership, which I think that Jonathan Le Tocq can provide.

And they have to take people with them. I used to, self, not the man

in charge, but the first among equals `` I used to call myself.

There's not much time for settling in. The population policy, GST and

the island's deficit are just some of issues that the new Chief

Minister will have to help steer over the coming years. The man of

the moment joins me now, the new Chief Minister, Jonathan Le Tocq.

election, what can you do to change election, what can you do to change

the lives of people on the island? One of my top priorities is to

within the States and the assembly within the States and the assembly

but also the way that we communicate and share policy decisions and

proposals with the electorate. That has begun, but we have a lot more to

do. What about policies? How will you change the way that the island

is run? I am just one vote amongst others, but we have lots of

decisions to make. We have an ageing demographic, that affects the

pensions, benefits, employment, taxation, all those issues are going

to be coming to the fore in the next two years. You won by a very slim

margin. How are you going to control and get the rest of the Assembly to

support you? This is an example of consensus government, which we

have, here. This has happened before. We have pulled together a

very good policy Council. That largely remains. Deputy Harwood has

done a good job. I was not as first choice as deputy, but we work

together. The Channel Islands can do it. Directors of the former Channel

Islands Stock Exchange have spoken out for the first time about

allegations in a recent national magazine. Deputy Peter Harwood had

to step down as Guernsey's Chief Minister when his previous role at

the company was called into question, as he was also working for

the Guernsey Financial Services Commission which was investigating

it.In a statement, CISX directors ` including Deputy Harwood ` said:

New figures show around half of working households in Jersey can't

afford to buy a home. And a third of people under 40 can't afford to take

the first step onto the property ladder. In 2012, this figure was

two`fifths. This year that figure has risen to nearly half, or 49% of

people. Jen Smith is Live in the studio, Jen why has this happened?

An increase in the average mortgage interest rate is partly why, but

it's mainly because there aren't enough one`bedroom homes on the

island. This lack of one`bed homes and housing at the cheaper end of

the market has pushed prices up. Wages have not gone up, and the

recession has cut deep into people 's pockets, and lack of Orville

ability has created a shortage and when you get the shortage, prices go

up. It is difficult. So what now? Well Jersey's Housing Minister

Deputy Andrew Green says this needs to be put it into context. He says

the only real increases since 2012 are one`bed flats. All other housing

has actually become marginally more affordable. He wants stability in

House prices but most importantly he will push to build more homes. If

you're going to build more social rented housing, that increases the

supply generally and any site that is rezoned under redevelopment of

the island plan, 20% of that will be for affordable first time buyers. So

that will increase supply. It is supply that will have an affect on

the price, as well. Deputy Green says that more needs to be done Tim

help young couples to buy their own home, after figures showed that

fewer people in this category can now afford a mortgage, so it is up

to the States to find a solution. 113 children are affected, with 40

moving the majority of parents accepted the Department's

suggestion. Jersey have beaten Guernsey in World Cricket League

Five in Malaysia. The victory means the islanders have won all of their

games in the round`robin stage of the competition, whilst Guernsey

have lost all of theirs. Jersey will now face Malaysia in the final

tomorrow, Now it's become a Channel Islands

tradition ` Jersey's swimarathon got under way today. It's the 43rd year

of the swim, which raises thousands of pounds for various causes.

Grouville school pupils were the first to jump in, in aid of

children's charities across the island. Hundreds of islanders are

swimming here at Les Quennevais sports centre over the next five

days for this year's swimarathon. It is the 43rd year of the charity swim

which has raised over ?3 million today, and it is getting stronger.

What it shows you is that this Swimarathon has become a local

institution, it has been run every year, regardless of whether oral

almost had it spent last year. And this has become an island

institution. More than half the swimmers each year are children ` so

organisers felt it was appropriate to donate the money raised this year

to local children's charities. Like this respite centre in St Brelade.

Oakwell offers short breaks and support to children with severe

mobility problems and learning difficulties. A minimum of ?25,000

will go towards refurbishing the centre ` which is already under way.

This is the biggest project we have ever had, the development of

Oakwood. We have had lots of Oakwood. We have had lots of

donations to do part of this, but this was a bigger project, were we

needed as much as we could get, and we had the Lions Club, coming in and

anything so much money. `` and donating. 25 other children's

charities will also benefit from money raised this week. Each length

reached enables a brighter future for children in Jersey. Most of us

saw some sunshine today after a misty start. What is next with the

weather, David? I think we will get the same sort of day tomorrow. That

mist and fog to be more extensive and slower to clear.

Coastal temperatures could be a bit disappointing. That is the forecast

for tomorrow. We will see mist and fog, snow to clear, then sunny

spells developing. We still have high pressure, that has not changed,

but what is changing is the fact that they're rather if you ice bars

on the chart, with high pressure well and truly in charge, and moving

close to us by the middle of the day tomorrow, there is nothing to

disturb the air, so, floating around in the sea we have some sea fog

patches. We will have to keep an eye on those. And then the breeze picks

up as we move into the weekend. Lots of clear skies to start the night,

with some strands of low clouds starting to appear, then we have the

mist, low cloud and fog developing. Five Celsius the minimum centre

Jeff. Tomorrow, lots of `` the minimum temperature. For the two

larger islands, Inland agrees, the sunshine will work on the

temperatures and we will get some good temperatures, with Jersey

getting up to 15 Celsius. Very like winds. And a gentle breeze coming in

from the North East. That's the coastal waters forecast.

And the forecast, another fine day on Friday, and cloudy on Saturday

and Sunday. That is it from the team here. I will hand you over to Justin

and Rebecca. The Government was today asked to

stop the spread of wind farms. Conservative MPs said wind turbines

were being allowed to destroy the landscape in the South West, leaving

local people feeling "frustrated and hopeless". Our Political Editor

Martyn Oates joins us now from Westminster. What do the MPs want

the Government to do? The MP who tabled the debate was

critical of subsidies. His debate was about planning and he says the

planning system is inherently biased in favour of wind farms. Last July,

the Government introduced new planning and guidance, which it

promised would give local communities more of a say. The MP

said that in reality this has made no difference. It has not changed

the planning system. In practice, he describes wind turbines as an alien

invasion which is continued in the Devon countryside. The communities

minister has said he is committed to protecting the natural environment.

He said that in instances where planning inspectors were involved,

since the new guidance was brought in, more where rejected than

approved. Previously, the opposite was the case.

The Government is clearly coming into conflict with its own MPs.

David Cameron said he wanted his Government to be the greenest

Government ever but it is very clear that many Conservative MPs really do

not like wind turbines. They were described as an issue which may have

political ramifications in this area.

There were emotional scenes today as the Devonport based warship, HMS

Montrose, arrived home. The Type 23 Frigate has spent the last seven

months as part of a multi`national taskforce helping to remove chemical

weapons from Syria. Our reporter Johnny Rutherford was with family

and friends as they welcomed their loved ones home. Looking majestic

and proud, the Devonport `based HMS Montrose returns home to a waiting

crowd of 600 bases. Emotions run high as lucky ones were reunited.

Many have proposed to their loved ones and babies have been born,

including this one. How does it feel to be home?

Really good. I was home for her birth. She has changed a lot. It is

brilliant to be back. She was only six months when he left.

The ship initially had for months in the Middle East then helped with the

disposal of chemical weapons from Syria.

This was the ship chosen to be the British escort to help get chemical

weapons out of use. The overwhelming emotion was pride. We were proud

that we can look back on our time in Syria as a job well done.

After 212 days, over 32,000 nautical miles, HMS Montrose is finally home

and the crew have a well`deserved five weeks leave.

Sports news: a Torquay United footballer has been given a

ten`match ban by the FA, after he was found guilty of misconduct.

Meanwhile, Plymouth Argyle have moved closer to the League Two

play`offs. It follows their win at Wycombe Wanderers last night. Here's

Spotlight's Dave Gibbins. Last night's matchwinner for Torquay

United, Joss Labadie, has been suspended for ten games. The FA's

charge of an alleged biting incident was found proven. He's been fined

?2000. The club is considering an appeal.

Meanwhile, there is a flicker of light for United at the bottom of

League Two: they beat Rochdale 2`1. Goals from Christian Pearce and

Labadie. Plymouth Argyle were heading into the League Two

play`offs after their skipper scored the only goal. Their nearest rival,

Southend, were two goals down at Scunthorpe but managed to get a

draw, putting Argyle out of the top seven by virtue of a superior goal

difference. Exeter City having trouble at the

wrong end of the table. A shocking performance at St James Park

continued. Northampton Town got the decisive goal. City are only two

points above the relegation zone. In the championship, Yeovil Town

missed a golden chance to climb out of the danger zone. They went down

by one goal to nil. If they had won, they would have gone above Millwall,

who lost at Blackpool. But it is status quo for them and they remain

in the bottom three. 750 primary schoolchildren have been

given an insight into the world of farming in Cornwall today. From

piglets to pork sausages, today has been all about teaching these

children the real story of the production. As well as debunking

some rather strange misconceptions. Last year some children thought the

ducklings were made of plastic. At the end of today, we the children to

go away and understand the links between food and farming.

It was not all about looking to baby animals, it was about the business

of farming, from arable crops to livestock milking by hand to heavy

machinery. Everyone learned something new. I learned that cows

milk goes into ice cream. The best part was eating the ice cream.

According to teachers, children from rural Cornwall had much to discover.

The children are used to being surrounded by fields and animals and

crops but they do not have an understanding of weird food comes

from. This is up than plastic opportunity.

After all this learning, it is time for lunch. For the first time, the

children have an understanding of where every item of their packed

lunch came from. Boat builders based at the National

Maritime Museum Cornwall are building a replica of part of a

Viking ship ` using ancient techniques. The ship's bow has taken

three months to build and will be the centre piece of the British

Museum's newly opened Viking exhibition. It is 15 feet long and

six feet wide. It took three months to construct and now this team of

boat builders at the National Maritime Museum in Cornwall have

nearly finished their replica bow of the Viking ship.

You have to build your planting up without frames or supports. Once you

have the shape, you install frames. The boat and its builders will

feature at to live film events screened in cinemas across the

country in April and June. This will showcase the exhibition at the

British Museum. This is the book manager.

Our team will go up this week to recreate part of the build. We will

do things like putting pieces of planking on and hammering nails in.

Some practical work, for the benefit of people there. We will also show

this rather splendid figurehead here.

A team of volunteers have helped with the build as well as learning

traditional skills. After the British Museum has finished with

this, it will return to the National Maritime Museum in Cornwall.

The recent spell of warmer, sunnier weather has provided some stunning

floral displays in the region's gardens and it's hoped they'll be a

big attraction this spring for visitors. James Churchfield and Pam

Spriggs from BBC Radio Cornwall have been to Caerhays Castle near Gorran

Haven to see the stunning display of magnolias.

After the wettest winter on record, with the cause battered and homes

flooded and also the rail line at the late fractured, mother nature

has finally decided to show her more gentle side to the South West with

an amazing display of Spring colour. Charles Williams, it has been a

terrible winter. How have you coped here at Caerhays Castle?

Like everyone else, we've had to. Trees down and damage to the sea

defences have come to annoy us. But just look behind you and see what we

have to offer. The nasty winter is a thing of the past. We're now into

spring and the garden is looking great. This is just one of many

magnolias that you can see here. When you look at the sheer beauty of

these Chinese magnolias, which have been here for 100 years, rather

longer than I have! Just look at the beauty of them.

Amazing, aren't they? What do you enjoy about springtime

in Cornwall? The contrast of the different

months. In March, the Asiatic magnolias, in April the

rhododendrons, in May the azaleas and scented rhododendrons... Who

could ask for more than that in a Cornish Spring?

Hello. We will have a similar temperature tomorrow. Problems

overnight with mist and fog tonight. It is big enough to cause problems

for travellers. But it gets brighter with some sunshine later in the day.

But first thing in the morning across parts of Somerset and Dorset

will see the clock. We have some weather warnings. Effectively, the

satellite picture shows largely clear skies for the UK and other

countries. But this area of high pressure moves right across us.

Virtually no wind at all. Then it moves out to the West. Then winds

change direction, bringing more cloud. Tonight: A fair amount of

cloud free skies. We will see a drop in temperature. It felt pleasant

during the sunshine today. This was a canal today which will open again

after repairers. A beautiful day. Even the ducks appreciated it. It

will turn chilly tonight. Right across the south`west it will turn

cold overnight and we could well see some frost. Gradually, the mist will

forum and it will develop into fog and by the time we get up tomorrow

morning, we will see a misty and chilly start. Cold enough for frost.

Tomorrow: A misty start but quickly improving with sunny spells. It will

remain misty around the coast. The Isles of Scilly will be close to the

line of mist and low cloud. The Times of high water. A pleasant day

along the beach. A general wind direction for the coastal waters

forecast shown here. A dry story. All the way through to the weekend.

Temperatures coming down.