The Weekly Briefing from The Quarry

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• RNLI announced Shannon class lifeboats for Channel Islands without consulting St Peter Port crew, causing severe strain in relationships
• Guernsey crew lobbied to keep existing Severn class, citing concerns about Shannon's limitations in severe weather conditions
• Severn is significantly larger (17.3m vs 13.6m), heavier (45 tons vs 13 tons), carries more crew (7 vs 5) and has higher survivor capacity (124 vs 79)
• Crew considered splitting from RNLI to go independent but reluctantly accepted the decision despite expecting some members to leave
• All three Channel Islands stations will operate the same Shannon class, meaning nearest Severn backup could be seven hours away in severe conditions

In other news...

• Economic Development seeks expressions of interest from private and voluntary sectors to deliver innovation incubator initiatives
• Move could result in closure of Digital Greenhouse or transition of its services after ten years of operation
• Committee believes private sector better placed than government to lead innovation development with required agility and commercial insight
• Government grants may be available to support core functions or economically beneficial activities
• Digital Greenhouse will continue operating full programme during expression of interest process

• Guernsey Chamber of Commerce criticises decision to effectively close Digital Greenhouse at year end due to funding withdrawal
• Closure will leave vacuum in business support, particularly for non-finance sectors requiring innovation and diversification assistance
• Decision concerns £450,000 budget whilst government allocates additional £1 million to Guernsey Finance, raising total to £3.5 million
• Chamber warns against over-reliance on finance sector, calling it a "shrinking basket" and advocating for economic diversification
• Organisation demands urgent plan for maintaining Digital Greenhouse functions and proper funding mechanism for all business sectors

• New bus timetable for Guernsey comes into effect from Monday 7 September, following extensive public consultation
• Routes 51 and 52 redesigned as town circular route with hourly service, up from two-hourly, linking hospital, schools and key destinations
• Night bus services revised to improve coverage, with N1 extended to Rue Sauvage and Les Tracheries, and N3 extended to Perelle and Vazon
• Additional Sunday services on routes 91 and 92 during summer season from May half-term to end of school holidays
• Some low passenger routes withdrawn including P2 Parish Link and route 60, with S1 to S4 evening services replaced by later journeys on existing routes

• Entries have opened for the Guernsey International Poetry Competition 2027, with Clare Pollard announced as judge
• The competition, now in its 15th year, invites original poems of no more than 14 lines across three categories
• Winning poems will be displayed on Guernsey's buses, at the airport and at public locations across the island
• Clare Pollard is an award-winning poet, novelist and playwright who has published six poetry collections with Bloodaxe Books
• The competition closes on 15 January 2027, with full details available at www.poemsonthemove.com

• Companion Vets granted permission to convert vacant office at Piette Complex into veterinary practice with strict noise and odour controls
• All doors and windows must remain closed except for entry and exit to prevent barking and odours reaching neighbouring residential units and hotel
• 150 square metre facility will include consulting rooms, operating theatre, x-ray facilities, kennels and waiting area with seven parking spaces
• Application initially deferred but approved after company demonstrated year-long search of 10 unsuitable properties since March 2025
• States Veterinary Officer praised location and layout as ideal, noting internal design was carefully considered and ergonomic

• The Channel Islands Contemporary Art Show returns for its second edition at Art for Guernsey Gallery from 11 September to 7 November
• Exhibition features 17 artists from the Channel Islands, Brittany and the UK working across sculpture, painting, photography and digital art
• Collaboration between ArtHouse Jersey and Art for Guernsey, in association with Passerelle Centre d'Art Contemporain in Brest
• Private view on 10 September at 6pm, with public opening the following day at the Mansell Street gallery
• Artists explore island life, community and connection, drawing on the unique landscapes and cultural histories of the Channel Islands

• Grandes Rocques Bar & Bistro in Castel has applied for planning permission for major refurbishment works including solar panel installation and balcony extension
• Energy efficiency measures include 100mm external wall insulation throughout and two high-capacity heat pumps on the east elevation
• The existing chimney will be removed entirely, and the external staircase will be demolished and rebuilt with new safety railings
• Kitchen ventilation will be upgraded with new roof-mounted insulated duct fans, whilst existing ducting will be removed
• The first-floor balcony will be extended with Millboard decking, and various windows and doors will be altered or relocated throughout the building

• Families receiving family allowance or widowed parent's allowance will continue to receive support until the end of the academic year if their child turns 18 while in full-time education, from 1st September 2026
• Currently, entitlement ends on a child's 18th birthday, even if they are part way through an academic year
• The changes align entitlement with the academic year and provide a more consistent approach for families
• Existing claimants will not need to take any action as entitlement will be assessed automatically
• The States of Deliberation approved the changes to family allowance and widowed parent's allowance rules in 2025

• Committee for Housing seeks Housing Development Manager to lead construction of new States homes for first time in over 20 years
• Role will oversee Outline Housing Delivery Plan targeting at least 250 affordable homes by end of political term
• Homes to be delivered through multiple methods including Guernsey Housing Association, States-owned land development and partnerships
• Position offered as two-year fixed-term contract with secondments from private industry welcomed
• Manager will prioritise sites, assess viability, engage with landowners and negotiate with developers to ensure value for money

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The Weekly Briefing from The Quarry

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Guernsey Gazette

Land at Valnord Court on Valnord Lane has been designated as protected from trespassing under an 18th-century law.

An abandoned Honda motorcycle at Grandes Rocques car park will be disposed of unless the owner claims it by late September 2026.

A protection order has been issued for 53 trees at Tractor House, Les Nouettes in Forest.