12/04/2012 BBC Channel Islands News

Good evening and welcome to your BBC in the Channel Islands. Here

rather a Kent lines: A major overhaul of Jersey States housing

is proposed. It will mean higher rents. -- here

are the headlines. And what Guernsey voters really

want to hear from election hopefuls. Somebody with foresight to cope

with the problems they will face. And games, set and match. Heather

Watson is hoping to bag a gold But first this evening, we have

heard a Jersey's specialist offshore pensions industry has been

dealt a severe blow by the UK. Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs has

published an updated list of overseas pension scheme is that

complied with the listing but they are available to overseas residents

only. It means that the industry, which employs around 200 people,

they now stagnate as clients search for new business. Her Majesty's

Revenue and Customs are looking to protect their income and their

potential income and this all comes back to the baby-boomer generation

coming up to retirement. Money has been held for many years, accruing

in pension schemes and now the baby boomer generation is starting to

retire, Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs can see the income going

out of the door. And man accused of indecently

assaulting two young girls in Guernsey has denied the charges.

Appearing in the magistrates' court, the 47-year-old pleaded not guilty

to six charges of indecently assaulting two girls under the age

of 12 between 1st January, 1994 and December 31st, 1995. A trial date

has been set for 25th September. He has been released on bail until

then on condition that he remains in Guernsey and does not contact

the complainant. Alderney's population has fallen by

6% in four years, according to figures from the Guernsey social

security department. The population now stands at around 2150. In the

four years since 2007, the number of people employed in the island

has also fallen. Guernsey's three scrutiny

committees should be scrapped and replaced with a single overarching

body, according to the recommendation of a UK expert

drafted in to look at how the government monitors its performance.

Belinda Crowe says the present system of scrutiny, set up in 2004,

lacks a sense of pace and urgency. She suggests forming a single

scrutiny mad and committee of three members, but by a 12 strong

scrutiny panel. There is less than one week until

Guernsey goes to the polls to vote in any government. Hustings have

been held across the island to give people a chance to hear from the

candidates. Last night was the turn of the south-east candidates.

Microphones at the ready, and a room of voters are ready to quiz

the candidate wanting to represent them in the States. What

characteristics are they looking for? A I am looking for a person

who is articulate and has got a grasp of what is going on. Somebody

who has got the foresight to try and cope with the problems they are

going to face. Honesty and straightforwardness. I have come

here this evening to hear what they have got to save. We are going to

get a good idea before we vote. so it was time to begin. I would

like to hear the candidates' views on how green houses should be used.

Are you for or against, and why? And under the watchful eye of the

official timekeeper, the candidates had their chance to answer.

Politics is not all easy. Politicians are put under stress

and it does not had for them to be put under stress on an evening

knock this, with the public to seeing how they are handled. --

like this. We have quite a strong field compared to other voting

district, so I have actually broadened by mind, I think. There

is a lot of ignorance showing in some subjects, which I thought was

rather prejudicial to a good debate. Very good. I now have some idea who

I am going to vote for. I changed my mind on a couple. Back is the

point of these meetings, happening across the island. -- of that. In

less than a week, it will be decision time.

You can find a full list of candidates on the BBC Guernsey

website. Turning to the top storey, tenants

in States housing in Jersey will have to pay higher rents in future

if a major overhaul of the housing system gets the go-ahead. The

Housing Minister outlined his vision of a new future for social

housing to date. The plans include removing a hidden subsidy of �11.5

million a year, currently enjoyed by tenants and turning their

housing department into a housing association that run along

commercial lines. The aim is to improve the island's social housing

stock. Jersey's social housing is about to

face a major shake-up. 4,500 tenants currently live in housing

owned by the States and around a quarter of it is considered sub-

standard, with tenants living in poor conditions. I am proposing to

establish a strategic housing unit... At a press conference today,

the Housing Minister announced his department's plans and said he

hoped it would lead to greater improvements. For existing tenants,

we can guarantee that their homes will meet the UK decent homes

standard and one day, maybe the Jersey homes standard. For those on

the waiting list, real hope that we are going to be providing homes

that they need so they can get off the waiting list. Jersey's housing

charities broadly welcomed the proposals. If I had one criticism

of the white paper it would be that I feel there should be more

emphasis on the need for more housing. I think the white paper is

principally concerned with bringing States housing up to a decent level

and perhaps some provision of housing in the future. But I think

they need is there. Massive improvements to social housing are

already under way year, with tenants being moved out of the

older blocks to some of the new builds up behind me. But part of

the plans include increasing rents. At present, some tenants pay 50% or

less of market rate and the proposal is that in 10 years' time,

everyone will pay 90%. The housing department estimates are currently

uses 11.2 �5 million per year through what it calls this hidden

subsidy. -- loses pounds 11.2 5 million. The proposals met with

mixed reactions here. It would be almost on a par with the private

rent. I am sure, like many people here, if I could afford to go

private, I would. Everyone admits that Jersey's housing is behind the

times. -- social housing. This is designed to bring it into the 21st

century, but can rent increase took near market levels without hurting

those it is designed to support? Keeping bad ball in the air will be

quite a feat. -- that ball. Channel Islands tennis star had a

Watson has set itself an ambitious challenge of winning at a gold

medal at London Olympics. However, the British No. 3, is likely to

need a ranking in the top 17 or a wild card to compete. She is

determined, as our reporter found out.

She is the 19-year-old Guernsey girl with the world at her feet and

this week, she has been coaching up and coming tennis players.

ranking rate is 100 and 15th in the world but I am working really hard

to get back inside the top 100. Seen here at the launch of the

event macro in Edgbaston, she has a clear ambition and a clear dream. -

- Aegon Classic. To play it on your home ground will not happen very

often at all. It is definitely one of the main goals. A 2011 saw have

it be said by injuries and it is clear it affected her

professionally. -- sort Heather affected. She dropped back a little

bit and had some tough draws in the Grand Slams but she is a world-

class player and together with Laura Robson, I think we have got

two bright young tennis players on the women's tour. It was tough last

year with my elbow injury. I don't get injured a lot but it is

happening at the worst times. You have got to stay positive for and

worked through it. And as the next generation look up to her, her back

as her sights firmly set on a limb big success. She will be flying the

flag for Guernsey at London 2012, she hopes.

We will all be cheering for her. Not much change in the weather

pattern across the Channel Islands over the next few days but each day

we get slightly colder. The last decent day will be tomorrow, with

temperatures up to 13, because into the weekend we get some colder air

moving in and still the risk of some showers. Tonight, the showers

will probably be with us for a while. In fact, most of them will

fade away to become very isolated, but there is a chance of them

continuing until dawn as the weather front moves away. Into

Saturday, with the keen north- easterly wind developing, it will

continue to feed in showers but a noticeable breeze so it will feel

colder. Be showers may fade for a time tonight but one or two will be

left behind right through to the end of the night. Overnight

temperatures quite cold at four or five degrees. The showers will be

replaced by clearer skies and into the afternoon, a good chance of

seeing some spells of sunshine for the rest of the day. Temperatures

between 11 and 13 degrees. The winds from the north-west, which

will be light to moderate. The forecast for the coastal waters -

you can see it on screen. On Saturday, we pick up more of a

breeze. It is a north-easterly wind which will be fresh to strong at

times. It will bring showers and low temperatures. Much brighter on

Sunday, but the colder air behind the line of showers will make it