Newsroom Live – 9 January, 2013
Wednesday 9th January 2013, 9:35AM GMT.
Sark Seneschal Reg Guille.
Following the news that the role of the Sark Seneschal is to be split next month, today we’re hoping to talk to the current holder of the position, Reg Guille, pictured, about the proposed changes.
We’ll be keeping an eye on the current disruption to the bus service, which has been caused by illness among the drivers.
And we’ll be looking into today’s meeting between nursing union representatives from the UK, who are in the island to talk to Health and Social Services as well as members of the union.
Alderney States meets this evening, and one of the key items on the agenda is plans for the island’s commercial quay. We’ll have a report in tomorrow’s paper.
There’ll also be a report on today’s Chamber of Commerce meeting in Jersey, where Guernsey’s chief minister Peter Harwood is due to give a speech underlining the importance of joint working across the CI public sectors.
Also giving a speech today is the managing director of Aurigny, Malcolm Hart, who is speaking to members of the Aero Club later on. We’ll prepare a story on that, too.
Blanchelande Girls’ College is hoping to raise money to upgrade its IT system and today is launching a fund-raising initiative. We’ll be finding out more about it.
Weather permitting there’s a clash of the Priaulx League titans tonight, with leaders Bels being hosted at the Corbet Field where they’ll play current second place holders Vale Rec. The match is due to start at 7.30 and tomorrow’s sports section will have a match reprort.
And there’s a big match in the basketball league at Beau Sejour tonight, when X The Finish Line take on Le Mont Saint 1 at Beau Sejour. The game is due to start at about 8.45 and there’ll be a report in tomorrow.
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Turned on radio Guernsey yesterday and heard a lady asking Deputy Dave Jones why property was so cheap to buy in Cardiff compared to Guernsey.His answer was because of very high unemployment brought the property sales down.
With Guernsey the unemployment is only 1.5% of the working population and this effects the houses prices being much higher.
Will Deputy Dave Jones discourage banks,finance industry,and other big companies from buying open market properties and allowing their staff living in them under licence.
Also will the States of Guernsey Elecricity name and shame all landlords who cannot increase the rents they charge but charge the tenants a higher meter use tariff.
Will the Fire officer whos responsible for health and safety measures check all rented accommodation in Guernsey.
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Islander
Are you sure you’ve got that right? There are only around 1750-1800 open market properties and it cannot be added to. People who live in open market property don’t need housing licences. Open market house prices don’t affect the local market.
So surely it is far better for companies to buy open market housing licences for their staff to live in so that they don’t need licences and so aren’t increasing the demand to either buy or rent local market property?
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G M True what you say about open market property.I am just pointing out the infux of imported labour on the already over populated island.
I would rather see better attractions for local people to be able to afford their home on their native island then driven away to pastures of the unknown.
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Islander
If people are residing in the open market then they dont need licences under the present law.
On the property price issue, the point I was trying to make is that nobody wants to live where there is no work.
Guernsey has very high employment rates and
therfor property to rent and buy is in high demand.
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Dave Jones
You are saying that you can have 30 people living in a open market property without a housing licence.
You can run as many businesses from an open market property without a licence[employees or friends living with the owner of an open market property]
property in high demand
Will the States Housing build affordable homes for the low earners in the £20.000-£28.000 bracket?
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Islander
If you live in open market guest or lodging houses you are free from Housing control restrictions.
The Housing control law only applies to local market homes.
The issue on numbers and any overcrowding is a matter for Environmental Health officers to address.
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Deputy Dave Jones.
Thank you for addressing my questions.
Now its time to ask Deputy Kevin Stewart some questions on employment issues.
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I do think this loop hole should be closed Dave, I know of one bloke that is renting an open market house and letting out rooms to his mates, this cannot be right, how do we know if they are undesirables. What do you think Deputy Jones?
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Valeite
I think the sooner we get the new permit system in the better,
The new rules will apply to open market residents as well, including criminal record checks which they are not subject to at present.
Also under the new law if passed by the States, you will no longer be able just to arrive in he island and find somewhere to live and get a job you will have to apply for he necassary permits from your country of origin. Permits will also only be issued under the system for professions the island needs.
We will always need to bring people in as we simply cannot fill all the posts in our public services and other sectors from our own employment pool.
I to want to see the OM go back to what was originally envisaged, to attract wealthy residents and entrenpouners, some who want set up bussiness and create employment for local people.
Some of the OM doss houses that have sprung up over the years will have to be closed down and these property’s reverted back to family homes.
Which is what they should have remained as in the first place.
That is my view.
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Deputy Dave Jones
Will you push the PERMIT ISSUE a.s.a.p to A States Meeting.
Valeite is correct on her views.Eyes are open wide of whats coming through the back door.
The White vans are coming in less now so things can work if publicise.
Publicise the new permit proposals
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