09/09/2014 BBC Channel Islands News

Here in the Channel Islands: it from Edinburgh we

Claims Jersey could face a ?90 million shortfall

Guernsey's bus drivers thre`ten to walk off the job again

But after being sent back to the drawing board a number of

times, will the Co`op's latdst plans for Charing Cross get off ground?

Jersey's treasury ministers defended budget plans for next year,

despite claims there could be a shortfall of over ?90 million

Senator Philip Ozouf was accused today of being too optimisthc with

forecasts of how much money the States makes.

Balancing the books, that's the job of this man, the Trdasury

But the books aren't looking that balanced with a multimillion pound

Today, he faced questions in the States

today over when he became aware that there'd be a shortfall betwden money

Deputy Le Fondre says polithcians should have been told

We have had a significant downturn in the income forecast and `ction

for 2015 is something like ?95 million. There are also concerns

that if we had followed the approach, the view is that we

probably would have been facing a level of difficulty that we are

either presently facing or `re about to face.

Senator Ozouf's likened sorting Jersey's budget to predicting the

weather ` the further ahead you try to forecast what will happen, the

The first financial forecasts for the budget 2015 were made

around three years ago, but it was only in June this year that the

Forecasts will be different when you come to the actual. We know there

has been turmoil in international markets that has affected jdrsey.

Hence our income is reduced. `` Jersey.

The budget debate is in two weeks' time, the last States

Despite the shortfall between money coming in and

politicians spending, the Treasury Minister remains optimistic

A Jersey politician has apologised in the States Assembly

for a social media comment he made about another politician who's

Deputy Nick Le Cornu said his Twitter comment about

Deputy Kristina Moore saying 'SHE is back and so conveniently in time'

was intended as political, but accepts it was inappropriatd and had

An investigation has been l`unched in Guernsey after

a 999 emergency call, made on the night a man died, went unanswered.

65`year`old Alan Hamilton dhed on the ninth of July at the KG4 cricket

Phone records revealed he'd tried to contact emergency services

The internal investigation by St John Ambulance And Rescud is

For the first time, the Jersey Care Inquiry into historic abuse has

heard anonymous testimony from a woman who was in residential care.

She told the panel girls as young as six were made to work

in a knitwear factory next to the Sacre Coeur Children's Home

and she explained how they were punished if they made noise.

Details about the witness, who's known only as Mrs A,

She spoke to the panel from behind a screen.

She described how she was sdnt to Sacre Coeur orphanage on two

The worst punishment she'd experienced was having her bed sheet

pulled tightly over her head and tucked under the mattress

She said that was done if, for instance, you made

She said children were expected to stay silent,

She told the panel that even now she can t

Although it never happened to her, she says while she was in

Sacre Coeur, another girl told her she was locked in

The girl told her she was on her own and it was a form of punishlent

She says she came to terms with her experiences through counselling

which she thinks can help stop victims turning to alcohol `nd drugs

14`hour shifts with no breaks is a danger to the public.

That's the claim of Guernsex bus drivers who are threatening

industrial action if their working conditions aren't improved.

In June 2013, drivers walked off the job in a one day strike and now

The news comes as the bus operator CT Plus says

for the first time the majority of its drivers in Guernsey are local.

Terry's been a bus driver for a year.

Before that he was working as an electrician.

You need a lot of patience `nd consideration.

60% of Guernsey's bus drivers used to be from overseas.

But around half of all CT Plus' bus drivers aren't

Terry didn't want to talk about that on camera,

A lot of drivers are driving 14 to 15 hour days. Maybe half an hour

break. That is not enough thme, we were just getting tired. `` just.

About 31 drivers have signed a letter to CT Plus' management asking

One told me he recently worked from five thirty in the morning to

They're worried it's becoming dangerous, something the he`d

There is no driver 14 hours. That is not the rotor. There will bd some

rotors whereof there are split shifts, but that is the bus

industry. There is nothing produced that is not safe.

The drivers say if changes aren't made they ll

consider industrial action. It's been a difficult couple of xears for

Guernsey's bus service. But there is some good news ` in both Jersey and

buses. It's just for the colpany that it's been a bumpy ride.

Today, the Channel Islands Co`op invited members of

the public to view its new plans for the Charing Cross site in Jdrsey.

Previous attempts to develop the listed buildings in St Helier

Now it's hoped revised plans for a larger supermarket and hotel

A new centrally located hotdl for Jersey.

Just one part of a proposed new future for

Here at St Pauls Centre, thd Co`operative Society has unveiled

the ?12 million plan to members of the public for their reaction.

We were owned by the communhty when run for the community. It is

important that the developmdnt of the scale is commented on bx the

community. There are rumours. Today was about talking to our melbers, at

a interested islanders and sharing, being open with our plans. H think

it is a brilliant idea. I think it will make it look more approachable,

as it is a rough and rundown. The plans have been rejected twice

before, but planners are happy It is about the balance. We think

this is the right balance, ht doesn't offer in terms of

regeneration, it brings new retail space. This greatly jersey. And it

retains as much as we can offer the original fabric.

Three of the four listed buhldings will be gifted to the National Trust

The Co`op hopes this move, `long with a new hotel, more shops and

pedestrianisation with a public art emphasis will make it popul`r with

planning, as it seems it has already done so with public reaction.

You can still those plans tomorrow from nine until two billion and then

from 5pm to 7pm at Saint Patls Centre.

There's a little bit to know the breeze and Noble McLeod, but it

should not stop their displ`y. `` and some cloud. There are some

subtle changes. Never Bruce tomorrow. Some sunshine and still

finance try. `` fine and drx. The prejudice is fine and settldd. But

there is little pressure here are the coast of Portugal, but that

helps us keep the high pressure Some unsettled weather across Spain

and Portugal, but we're between the low pressure and a high pressure,

which gradually moves towards Scandinavia. A bit more of ` squeeze

a nicer bars. `` isobars. I overnights tonight with a f`ir

amount of clear sky. The dax should not be spoilt, a fine day.

Temperatures down to 14 or 05 Celsius. Moreover breeze tolorrow,

patchy cloud and generally ` fine and dry day. Top temperaturd of 21

Celsius. Here is the coastal waters forecast. There, with Hayes,

moderate visibility because of the Hayes.

Many of our beaches are flat at the moment.

They have a cyber moon tonight, the moonrise at eight o'clock, look East

and low on the horizon and xou could see a fairly large moon. Thd closest

to us for a long time. Edward of the moon. It remains firing into the end

of the week, the difference perhaps is now cloud. That cloud with a

speech and stubborn to move. `` will perhaps be tricky and stubborn.

If you take photos of the Stperman, to sentimentalist. ``

like these do better at school. More political and economic power

must now be That's the demand from MPs today,

as it becomes clear Scotland will gain significant new powers even

if it votes to stay In a moment, I'll be talking to

Professor Peter Gripaios, but first,

our political editor, Martyn Oates, yes, the Scottish flag flying from

number ten Downing St this dvening. The Prime Minister and the leader of

the two big parties have made a decision to head off to Scotland. I

caught up with one of our MPs who his just back from a two`dax stint

North of the border. He says what he has seen there has exciting

implications for a power shhft where we live as well. There is a real

democratic awakening and dissatisfaction with the wax this

place works. Its inefficiency and it's an accountability, and we are

far too centralised as a cotntry. What we end up with will be far more

radical and far reaching, I hope, that any others can only. The last

Labour Government, which Ben Bradshaw was a member of, w`s it

very much in favour of devolved power in England. I do not think

there is a case for devoluthon within England. We have tridd

advancing towards more regional Government in the past and H do not

think it is terribly successful A strong Government at Westminster and

stronger authorities is the right path for England. But England versus

the rest of the United Kingdom, that does need rebalancing and in the

next few months we will see that conversation ready to take off.

Liberal Democrats like the hdea of a Cornish assembly. Here is the Lib

Dem MP for St Ives. I think that the devolution G is out of the bottle

and that means that South of the border, North of the bottle, we

talking about getting rid of centralisation. I think that places

like Cornwall and other places who have reasonable aspirations for Ruth

`` reasonable devolution should be given every encouragement at this

stage. I think everyone will agree that the devolution question is out

of the bottle. Thank you, Martyn. Well, those were

the opinions in Westminster today. Here in the

South West, Raymond Ravenscroft Most people who are retired have

some sort of bits and pieces somewhere in a financial institution

or a bank or something that has Scottish roots or is based hn

Scotland. I certainly have. Yesterday, there was a bit of a

wobble and I got almost quite alarmed at one point, but h`ving

thought about it, I thought, well, I am sure they will sort it all out in

time. So, Peter Gripaios, is he right? Yes, with a little bht of a

fall this week, market uncertainty could get a bit worse if Scotland

goes for independence next week That is one definite factor. Pension

and communities will be affdcted for a lot of people in South West. Also,

it will be Scotland's oil r`ther than the rest of the UK's ohl and

the balance of payment will mean that the pound will likely fall

There will be negative tax on import prices and it will cost you a lot

more to go on a holiday abroad. So you think tourism could be `ffected.

That could benefit us here hn the South. Yes, and if you have a more

competitive pound a lot mord people from abroad are likely to come here.

The other very positive point is that you are likely to see, if there

is a bit for independence, ` lot of private sector and public sdctor

jobs will be relocated from Scotland. There is no reason why the

South West wouldn't get somd of those. Are there any other benefits?

The Trident one is obvious that there are many other benefits so it

is not all doom and gloom. Over time, England will not lose

significantly for a vote for independence by Scotland. In fact,

one of the benefits will be that we will be subsidised in the w`y we

have for the last 30 or 40 xears. The chief negative for us in the

South West? The uncertainty and the fact there will be an impact. We do

not know how long`lasting btt there will certainly be an impact on

annuities, pension, through the stock market and prices going up

because the pound will be worth less than it is now. Thank you.

There is competitive coverage of all of the recommended if shoes on the

BBC News website. `` the referendum issues.

River banks, railways and roadsides sometimes find themselves stbject to

an invasion. The enemy ` ten feet tall

and capable of advancing at pace. But now scientists are going

into combat with Himalayan balsam, which costs hundreds

of thousands of pounds to rdmove. Trials are being carried out

in Cornwall to control the weed, which, as Scott BHngham

reports, is far from weedy. Countryside ranger Gareth h`s been

battling against Himalayan balsam at this nature reserve in Btde

for six years. In the last couple of years,

it's been taking over, stifling the native reedbeds and

the wildlife that lives in them Is it fair to say you were

fighting a losing battle? This year, we realised that once it

spread to the other side of the reedbeds, we were going to have

problems, and then, luckily, the EA got in touch with me and asked if it

was a good site for the tri`l. The plant was originally introduced

in the UK in the 19th century. Its exploding pods can scatter seeds

more than seven metres, so it spreads fast, wreaking havoc

on the sensitive local habitat. It will effectively,

from a conservation point of view and an interest point

of view, be very destructivd. A lot of the birds will not be

able to feed or breed here. They will move away and you'll

end up with a wrecked habit`t. The tall reedbeds

on this side are flourishing. You can just make out some

of the Himalayan balsam takhng hold Now, though, scientists are fighting

back by using one We have been over to the Indian and

Pakistani Himalayas numerous times and what it has come to now, we have

whittled it down to one rust fungus, which we have fully tested to make

sure it's safe to be releasdd in the UK, and now, after ministerhal

approval, we are releasing the rust This site at Saint Austell hs one

of the four trial areas. These balsam plans are alre`dy

infected with the rust fungts. `` plants. The hope is that come

spring, the spores will sprdad, If successful, the trials whll be

rolled out across the country. What does the Widecombe Fair no

about the weather that we don't Because it doesn't take place

until September, and yet for the last few years at ldast

it's been basking in the sunshine. Yes, the forecast couldn't have

been better for singing Devon's Janine Jansen has been with

Uncle Tom Cobley and all today. We have had such a good day here. It

used to be for farmers to sdll their animals. Now they bring thel to show

them off and have them judgdd, and it is a fun day out for everyone.

People of Widecombe and vishtors to this marvellous Widecombe F`ir.

Every year on the second Tudsday in September, the village of Whdecombe

comes alive. CHEERING

And Widecombe Fair would not be the same without Uncle Tom Cobldy. Uncle

Tom Cobley is part of the songs Nobody seems to have come up with

anything definite but there is a song that we think is probably the

one. The weather was perfect and the animals certainly no how to keep

cool. My cameraman wants to see me fall off. Let's see how long it

takes! Time, now, to be serhous and the dog the judge would most like to

take home is... The Westie. She has a beautiful shiny coat. She is

really happy and everything about her is on good form. I would take

her home to cuddle. Uncle Tom Cobley is well on the way, the racd. The

leaders are coming in now. Who is going to win? It was congratulations

to Peter. And look at this fabulous wooden model of Uncle Tom Cobley's

horse. It was found in an attic in pieces and put back together and now

it comes out once a year for Widecombe Fair. As you can see, the

Gymkhana is still going on behind me and in the other arena therd are

other games and sports. There is music all night. This year has been

fabulous for the weather. One question, though, hopefully David

can tell us, are we to have an Indian summer?

It good question. It depends on the date, doesn't it, an Indian summer?

We do not normally call it `n Indian summer unless this sort of weather

happens in October and Novelber We need to watch what Justin does

because he takes his holidaxs when the weather is fine every shngle

time. It has been a glorious day for

lovers across the South West. The highest temperature was 22, in North

Devon again today. A chilly night still tomorrow and a breeze

developing from tomorrow onwards. It means we will probably not see quite

such a high temperature along the South coast, but a lot of fhne and

dry weather continuing towards the weekend. Where has all the rain

gone? It is down here, off Spain and Portugal. This swirl of clotd is an

area of low pressure. It is helping us keep the fine weather because it

is pretty much stationary. Ht does not move very far. This is the

middle of the day on Thursd`y and Friday. Wet and windy weathdr for

Spain and Portugal. We keep hold of the drier weather but there is a

squeeze in the isobars so more of a breeze developing tomorrow `nd

Thursday. There is the satellite picture from today. Not everywhere

in the UK has had a good dax. More cloud and rain in the East but for

us, gloriously sunny. And tonight 's Spotlight has been airborne. We have

been up with the Royal Navy catching eclipse of the blue sky. Thdre is

some poor visibility if you are flying through the layer of haze but

beneath it, it is blue skies and as you'll see use. `` blue seas. This

fine weather is continue to lead continuing `` this fine weather is

continuing. Overnight, it is very similar to what we saw last night.

Chilly again. A few mist patches may fall by dawn tomorrow morning but

not many of those. Slightly more of a breeze to stir the air. Nhght time

temperatures for most of us in the towns and cities in 11 or 12 degrees

but in the countryside it whll get back down into single figurds.

Between seven and ten by dawn tomorrow morning. Tomorrow hs a

lovely day. Misty in places. The breeze will fashion. Quite ` lively

wind developing down towards the Lizard and the Isles of Scilly and

here perhaps it will not be quite so warm tomorrow. The highest `verage

will be on the North coast of Devon. Possibly 22.

The breeziness in the Isles of Scilly will halt the temper`ture

down. The one thing that has been

disappointing has been the weather for surfers. But other coastal

communities are enjoying sole settled conditions around the

coasts, particularly those who had out on kayaks or canoes. It has been

pretty good for them with the small ways. The best for the surfdrs has

been two feet. Most beaches one foot less than that.

Very quickly, tonight is thd super moon. Moon rises up at about 8pm.

The moon just looks a bit closer than it is normally so we should get

a good view of the men from about 8pm if you look East. The moon

rising is when it seems to be its largest. It was the week and, more

cloud on Thursday, particul`rly along the South coast. That cloud

will come and go. `` more cloud this week. As we head into the wdekend, I

know the sunshine appears to disappear and there is more cloud

around but it will not stop it being fine and dry with similar

temperatures of 19 or 20 degrees. Perhaps warmer during the nhght time

because there is a blanket of cloud. Good night.

A reminder of the main news here in the South West: A mother from Devon

who has mouth cancer has urged others to be more aware of the

disease as the number of is rising. And specially trained markslen have

been out shooting badgers ilports of Somerset and Gloucestershird

overnight. We will keep you updated. Hdre my

last shot of the Widecombe Fair in the sunshine.

Prince Harry has challenged them - now they will challenge each other,

more than 400 international competitors.

No strangers to battle, all have served their country.