The Weekly Briefing from The Quarry

• Environment & Infrastructure publishes 2026-2029 workplan prioritising flood defence, climate adaptation and infrastructure planning
• St Sampson's enabling flood defences around Bridge area expected to begin construction in second half of political term
• New combined waste incinerator at Longue Hougue will save States more than £160,000 annually, with full operation expected October 2026
• Fermain cliff path to be re-routed to new alignment following wall breach and ongoing erosion risk
• Committee piloting priority-based budgeting approach to connect spending clearly to government priorities and demonstrable outputs

• Panel discussion on AI's impact on creative industries to take place on 27 October at Frossard Theatre, Guernsey Museum
• Event forms part of Chamber of Commerce's AI - All In Sprint running from 1 October to 12 November
• Panel includes professionals from filmmaking, journalism, fashion design, creative communications and digital arts
• Discussion will examine practical applications of AI, implications for skills and jobs, and how to ensure innovation complements human creativity
• Event open to all with interest in creativity and technology; tickets available via Eventbrite

• Around 70 passengers stranded at Guernsey Airport after UK air traffic control technical fault caused flight cancellations
• Emergency accommodation plan activated, with passengers housed overnight at Styx Community Centre
• Only handful of flights operated on Tuesday, with last departure leaving at 8pm
• Alternative travel arrangements made for stranded passengers by sea or air on Wednesday
• Some knock-on disruption expected on Wednesday as UK airports work to restore normal operations

• Public Health Services is raising awareness of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder during FASD Awareness Month in September, marking International FASD Awareness Day on 9 September
• FASD is a lifelong but preventable condition caused by alcohol exposure before birth, affecting brain development, learning, behaviour and physical health
• The safest choice during pregnancy is not to drink alcohol, as there is no known safe amount, safe time or safe type to consume
• Local health services have received 30 referrals for FASD assessments and have developed a diagnostic pathway for children at highest risk
• The Substance Use Strategy 2027-2032 recognises FASD for the first time and acknowledges the importance of developing understanding of local need

• Guernsey celebrates 20 years as a Fairtrade island with events running from 21 September to 4 October 2026
• Campaign focuses on fair pay for farmers and workers, with average non-Fairtrade coffee farmer living on £1.37 per day
• Events include walking football tournament, photography exhibition, schools competition and film screening
• Research shows seven in 10 adults purchase Fairtrade products regularly and 85% support fair pay for farmers
• Island achieved Fairtrade status in March 2006 following States Requête led by late Deputy Mike Torode

• GFSC proposes 4.3% overall fee increase from 1 January 2027, in line with Bailiwick inflation
• Insurance sector to receive one-off 17% rebate on annual fees following significant 2026 enforcement penalty
• Amendments proposed to Lending, Credit and Finance Law fees to improve clarity for custodians
• Consultation runs until 6 October 2026, with responses accepted via Engagement Hub or email
• Proposed fees align with Finance Sector Strategy 2035 and support Digital Finance Initiative and Innovation Sandbox

• The 50th Skipton Swimarathon takes place from 7 to 11 October, with spaces filling quickly one month before the event
• A new Salty Swim option has been introduced at La Vallette Ladies' Pool on 9 or 10 October, alongside traditional Beau Sejour sessions
• The event will raise funds for Les Bourgs Hospice, which is celebrating 35 years of providing care to islanders
• Last year more than £67,000 was raised with over 1,700 participants
• The Swimarathon has raised over £2 million for local causes since it began in 1977

• Replica of the first ship to circumnavigate the world will dock in St Peter Port between 7 and 20 September
• Self-guided tours will be available on select dates between 10am and 8pm at the Cruise Tenders Pontoon on Albert Pier
• The original Nao Victoria completed the world's first circumnavigation between 1519 and 1522 under Juan Sebastián Elcano
• The replica was built in 1992 in Seville and completed its own circumnavigation between 2004 and 2006, visiting 17 countries
• Tickets are available through the Nao Victoria Foundation's website at www.fundacionnaovictoria.org

• Gary Hind will retire as headteacher of Amherst Primary School at the end of December 2026 after 35 years in education
• He led the amalgamation of three schools to create Vale Primary School and was the first Guernsey headteacher to complete an Ofsted inspection
• Since joining Amherst in September 2024, he has guided the school through a successful inspection and secured a UNICEF Gold Award
• The school's governing body has praised his visible and approachable leadership style
• A full recruitment campaign is under way to appoint his successor

• Overseas Aid & Development Commission approves £50,000 emergency relief award for Nepal flood victims
• Funding will be channelled through ShelterBox to provide emergency shelter and essential household items
• Flash floods have caused widespread destruction, forcing families from homes and disrupting essential services
• ShelterBox is an established partner of the Commission with previous emergency relief funding experience
• Aid will support communities as Nepal transitions from rescue phase to humanitarian response and recovery

• Channel Islands Pride launches Queer Nature Trail exploring same-sex behaviour in over 1,500 animal species, starting at Fort George and ending at Pride Village
• Trail offers alternative route through Bluebell Woods and cliff paths for those preferring quieter journey to Pride celebrations on 12 September
• Examples include same-sex penguin couples raising chicks, long-term dolphin partnerships, sex-changing clownfish and hermaphrodite butterflies
• Pride March leaves Market Square at 2pm with thousands expected; organisers ask non-attendees to avoid Town seafront between 2pm-3pm
• Pride Village at La Vallette Bathing Pools runs 3pm-9pm with live music, drag, DJs, silent disco and family area

• Registrations for primary school places in September 2027 are now open for Guernsey and Alderney residents
• The deadline for applications is 3pm on Friday 23rd October 2026, with late applications receiving lower priority
• Children turning five before 1st September 2027 are required to attend school or receive alternative education
• Application forms are available online at gov.gg/schooladmissions and parents must provide proof of address, birth certificate and ID
• Parents can request out of catchment placements but must still apply to their catchment school by the deadline

This week's audio briefing

The Weekly Briefing from The Quarry

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GFSC notices

Commission consults on fees for 2027