The Weekly Briefing from The Quarry

• Guernsey's failed MyGov digital transformation programme cost £21.6 million but delivered only £1.3 million in savings against projected £7.4 million annually
• Primary contractor Agilisys received £16.2 million, with efforts ongoing to claw back money
• Investigation found systemic failures including poor leadership, over-reliance on contractors, and a culture where senior staff cannot be held accountable
• The programme was 'never properly defined' and its complexity exceeded the organisation's capacity, with over 20 different governance boards creating confusion
• Chief Executive Boley Smillie backs civil service to deliver change and has begun structural reforms including new accountability measures for senior leaders and outcome-based contracting

Dig This - a podcast for Guernsey by The Quarry

Episode 28: Can Guernsey become a global innovation lab?

Inso has released The Guernsey Innovation Report, an honest account of the innovation landscape in the island and the challenges it faces after gaining insights from 45 industry leaders.

"Across every sector, conversations converged on urgent structural realities: the rapid adoption of AI, the inevitability of blockchain and asset tokenisation, and the urgent need for infrastructure automation."

The report sets out a roadmap to making the most of the opportunities that lie ahead. Inso founder Dan Wood discusses innovation, where Guernsey is and how it can take advantage.

This week's audio briefing

The Weekly Briefing from The Quarry

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In other news...

• States of Guernsey have sold fuel tankers Sarnia Cherie and Sarnia Liberty to James Fisher Everard in confidential deal
• Sale proceeds will enable full repayment of remaining loan from original 2008 purchase
• Vessels were bought to ensure fuel supply security when few NAABSA vessels existed worldwide
• Other suitable vessels now regularly deliver to Guernsey, removing need for States ownership
• JFE confirms intention to continue including Guernsey in vessels' trading operations

• Gaudion Properties Ltd has submitted a planning application for a residential and retail development on Longue Rue in the Vale
• The proposed development would be located adjacent to a forecourt
• The existing house would be demolished and new retail and residential space created

• Guernsey will launch the Normandy programme of the 2026 Rendez-vous aux Jardins, a European garden festival running 5th-7th June
• More than 10 gardens from across the Bailiwick will participate, including nine in Guernsey, two in Sark, and one in Alderney
• This year's theme 'The Five Senses in the Garden: The View' focuses on sight and how gardens frame landscapes and perspectives
• Participating venues include Victor Hugo's Garden, Government House's Victorian Walled Garden, and Sausmarez Manor's subtropical gardens
• The festival showcases over 2,800 parks and gardens across Europe and highlights cultural ties between Guernsey and France

• Guernsey Ports is investing £300,000 to replace ageing pontoons at Albert and Victoria Marinas over eight weeks
• Work begins with Victoria Marina's north-east corner, followed by Albert Marina's 'U' pontoon
• The pontoons date back to the 1970s and have reached the end of their design life
• The project follows £2.5 million investment over two years, replacing 200 marina berths
• New pontoons will feature modern electrical infrastructure, water supply and safety lighting

• Public Health partners with UK charity Skcin to offer skin cancer awareness training to beauty and health professionals
• Ten free training spaces available to islanders, with reduced fees for enrolments until end of May
• Guernsey's skin cancer incidence rate is 95% higher than England's, according to Public Health
• Local beauty therapist Racheal Day says training has increased her confidence in recognising concerning skin changes
• Training teaches the A-E rule for identifying possible melanoma signs and is open to members of the public

• 36-metre passenger gangway at Inter-Island Quay removed for essential maintenance
• Gangway separated into three 12-metre sections for welding repairs to aluminium frame
• Work expected to take around one week to complete
• Passengers will use steps to access quay during maintenance period
• Repairs address winter storm damage and ongoing wear and tear

• All 14 of Guernsey's reservoirs are currently at full capacity despite variable 2026 rainfall patterns
• January saw 170% of average rainfall and February was the wettest since 1978, while March was the driest since 1990
• One billion litres of surplus water had to be discharged to sea in February alone due to capacity limits
• Guernsey Water says no changes to current water usage are required and the system is performing as designed
• Businesses are being encouraged to plan ahead for potential water efficiency measures as part of summer planning

• Mr Anthony Griffin appointed as new headteacher of St Anne's School in Alderney from September 2026
• He has extensive teaching experience including roles in Cheltenham, South Korea, Japan, and Jersey
• Previously worked as an Assistant Head in Jersey after starting as an English teacher there in 2018
• Completed PGCE at University of Aberystwyth and studied History and English at university
• School governors praise his strategic clarity, pastoral commitment, and belief in every child's potential

• British Airways launched a new daily service between London Heathrow and Guernsey on 19 April
• The route is the only direct service from Guernsey to London Heathrow, connecting to over 200 global destinations
• The inaugural flight was operated by crew with personal connections to Guernsey, including a Guernsey-born captain
• Fares start from £96 return per person including taxes and fees, with Club Europe business class option available
• Local officials expect the service to boost business and tourism opportunities for the Channel Island

• Twenty-five French students aged 10-14 from Masnières are visiting Guernsey for a week-long exchange programme
• The visit is part of the fourth annual Royal Guernsey Light Infantry Charitable Trust Schools Exchange Programme
• Students will tour Castle Cornet, Victor Hugo's House, visit Herm and meet the Lieutenant Governor
• Blanchelande College and Les Beaucamps High School students will make a reciprocal visit to Masnières in June
• St Peter Port is twinned with Masnières, which was defended by the Royal Guernsey Light Infantry during WWI

• Scrutiny Management Committee warns of 'material risks' in proposed major projects framework despite welcoming structural improvements
• Committee unable to obtain complete records for Leale's Yard acquisition decision, calling this 'serious and material concern'
• Concerns raised about lack of financial transparency and risk of overextended pipeline with unrealistic delivery expectations
• Warning that revised framework could deliver 'procedural change alone' without addressing underlying governance weaknesses
• Committee criticises compressed consultation timetable and calls for stronger affordability discipline and accountability measures

• Consultation launched on giving Freedom of Information Appeals Panel legal powers to enforce its decisions
• Appeals panel currently has no mechanism to compel States Committees and Bodies to comply with determinations
• Panel's 2024 Summary Report highlighted issues with non-compliance after four years of operation
• Proposals include updating Reform (Guernsey) Law 1948 with limited statutory enforcement powers
• Consultation runs until 5th May 2026 seeking views from government bodies and interested parties

• Vale Primary School rated 'Good' across all five inspection areas including Quality of Education and Leadership
• Inspectors praised the school's ambitious curriculum and found pupils to be motivated, happy and safe
• Strong support for pupils with Additional Learning Needs highlighted, with individualised plans and successful progression
• Communication, language development and reading given particular focus and recognition
• Areas for improvement identified in curriculum precision and assessment development in wider subjects

• Environment & Infrastructure issues open tender for revetment works at Rocque Poisson beach
• Construction scheduled to begin this summer as part of ongoing coastal infrastructure maintenance programme
• Project will use granite rocks weighing 1-4 tonnes each, sourced from Les Vardes and Chouet quarries
• Works aim to protect sea wall from wave damage and reduce erosion and flooding during storms
• New revetment will significantly expand existing rock armour installed in 2022

• Pink Ladies charity partners with London-based Future Dreams to expand breast cancer support services in Guernsey
• Partnership offers islanders access to online resources including mindfulness courses, virtual community groups and expert-led workshops
• Future Dreams was founded by mother and daughter who both died from secondary breast cancer within a year of each other
• New collaboration represents first initiative of its kind for Future Dreams charity
• Pink Ladies seeks local volunteers to help test and shape the online support services

• Island businesses encouraged to conduct walking meetings outdoors during May for charity fundraiser
• OSA Recruitment becomes first company to sign up to 'Grow Green Miles' initiative
• Participants pledge to walk one mile daily throughout May to support local charity Grow
• Registration fees range from £5 for children to £150 for corporate teams of ten
• Initiative aims to boost wellbeing whilst raising funds for charity through outdoor meetings

• Victoria Park sponsors England over-75s captain Geoff Martel's international campaign
• The 81-year-old Guernsey resident led England to Veterans World Cup victory in 2024
• Sponsorship covers travel expenses for fixtures including clash with Germany in July
• England defeated Wales 2-0 in recent Aneurin Bevan Shield match with Martel named Man of the Match
• Germany fixture on 30 July marks 60th anniversary of England's 1966 World Cup win

• Invicta Community Fund awards grant to support My Breast Friend app's running costs and hosting
• The free app encourages regular breast/chest self-checking through personalised reminders and tracking tools
• Founded by Gemma Ainger after her breast cancer diagnosis, endorsed by Amy Dowden
• App has reached 5,500 downloads with goal of 10,000 by Christmas
• One in seven women will develop breast cancer, making early detection crucial for outcomes

• Economic Development rejects DFDS proposal for inter-island ferry service using 'Stena Vinga'
• Proposed Friday evening arrivals would fall outside standard operating hours, creating operational challenges
• Concerns raised over vessel availability due to reported maintenance requirements during proposed schedule
• Proposal deemed not aligned with reciprocity principles agreed by both governments in 2025
• Committee remains open to dialogue with DFDS, Jersey government and Brittany Ferries on alternative solutions

Guernsey FoI

Three people arrested since 2016 for importing goods without licence in Guernsey, including one for obscene material, but none were charged

A Freedom of Information request sought data on arrests, charges and convictions for importing/exporting goods without a licence under Guernsey's import control laws, specifically focusing on obscene and indecent material cases from 2000-2026.

Guernsey Police and Customs revealed they only have accessible records from March 2016 onwards, showing three arrests total - one each for firearm parts, offensive weapons, and obscene material.

None of the three arrested individuals were actually charged with offences, indicating cases either didn't proceed or were resolved without formal charges.

Guernsey Gazette

Guernsey Customs is giving owners 21 days to reclaim unclaimed duty-free goods before destroying them.

Quinn Hamon is applying for a liquor license for Fairfield Stores in Castel to replace the former Thompson Motors site.

GFSC notices

Digital Forum to host roundtable on stablecoins