> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.thequarry.media/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # The Weekly Briefing from The Quarry - URL: https://www.thequarry.media/the-weekly-briefing-from-the-quarry-64/ - Published: 2026-09-16T16:19:38.000Z - Updated: 2026-09-16T16:19:38.000Z - Author: Nick Mann - Tags: The Briefing --- The Weekly Briefing from The Quarry 0:00 /0 1× --- ### [Revenue Service backlog 'significantly worse than previously believed' with 106,444 cases outstanding](https://www.thequarry.media/revenue-service-backlog-significantly-worse-than-previously-believed-with-106-444-cases-outstanding/) Published 16 September 2026 - Revenue Service faces 106,444 outstanding work items as of 31st August 2026, down 36% from a baseline of 166,543 established in March, but still representing a significant backlog accumulated over more than 12 years - Failed transformation programme from 2018-2024 delivered new systems without finishing vital automation tasks, requiring 18 months to fix employer return processing and leaving finance and debt platforms incomplete - Service has paid £2.73 million in supplements to taxpayers for delays between 2022 and 2026, with £817,021 paid in 2026 alone as the recovery programme clears repayment backlogs - Staff turnover peaked at 13.3% in 2025 but has fallen to 2.5% in 2026, whilst headcount increased from 104 in 2024 to 118 in 2026 with only two current vacancies - Complete backlog clearance expected by October 2028 without further investment, with four-weekly public progress reports to be published from 12th October 2026 at www.gov.gg/recovery ### [Philanthropist's 'extraordinary gift' to private colleges could free up £2.2m a year in States funding](https://www.thequarry.media/philanthropists-extraordinary-gift-to-private-colleges-could-free-up-2-2m-a-year-in-states-funding/) Published 15 September 2026 - Elizabeth College and The Ladies' College could give up £2.2m annual States grant following philanthropic donation - Endowment would replace grant funding whilst maintaining affordable fees at both colleges - The Ladies' College requires States' approval to change 1962 law preventing charitable status - Legacy Programme plans include AI Institute with UCL and Innovation Hub for island community - Elizabeth College exploring investments in sport and artist development programmes ### [Beau Sejour leisure centre closed after Legionella bacteria detected in water system](https://www.thequarry.media/beau-sejour-leisure-centre-closed-after-legionella-bacteria-detected-in-water-system/) Published 15 September 2026 - Beau Sejour Leisure Centre closed on 15 September after Legionella bacteria detected in water system during routine testing - Showers were immediately shut on 14 September when preliminary results received, full closure followed after further investigation - Centre will remain closed until confirmed safe, with officials hoping to reopen by the weekend - Public Health confirms no known cases of Legionnaires' Disease in the community, bacteria cannot spread person to person - Anyone who used showers in last two weeks and develops symptoms advised to seek medical advice and mention possible Legionella exposure ### [Free map published to understand solar panel suitability](https://www.thequarry.media/free-map-published-to-understand-solar-panel-suitability/) Published 16 September 2026 - A free online map has been launched showing how suitable Guernsey rooftops are for solar panel installation, with colour-coding indicating energy generation potential - The initiative supports the island's Electricity Strategy agreed in 2023, which aims to increase locally generated renewable energy - Guernsey had solar installations exceeding 4MW at the end of 2025 and is targeting 10MW by 2028 - The project was initiated by renewable energy provider Little Green to give islanders an independent assessment of their roof's solar potential - Guernsey receives 30-35% more sunshine than the UK average, making it well-placed for solar energy generation ### [Guernsey harbour waiting list system under scrutiny as data reveals 84% rejection rate when offered St Sampsons instead of QEII this year](https://www.thequarry.media/guernsey-harbour-waiting-list-system-under-scrutiny-as-data-reveals-84-rejection-rate-when-offered-st-sampsons-instead-of-qeii-this-year/) Published 16 September 2026 - FoI shows 84% of boat owners offered St Sampson's berths instead of preferred QEII Marina rejected them in 2026, up from 45% refusal rate in 2025 - Four formal enforcement directions issued at Guernsey harbours in seven years between 2020 and 2026 - Accepting a berth in non-preferred location results in complete removal from original waiting list, with applicants forced to restart at bottom or join transfer list - Data gaps revealed with no records held on whether applicants accepting St Sampson's berths retained QEII waiting list priority, and data for 2022-2024 not available - Marine traders can transfer waiting list positions to buyers when selling stock boats, potentially creating secondary market in waiting list priority ### [Digital Greenhouse to continue operating as is until April 2027 with bidders now told they must provide a physical innovation hub](https://www.thequarry.media/digital-greenhouse-to-continue-operating-as-is-until-april-2027-with-bidders-told-they-must-provide-a-physical-innovation-hub/) Published 15 September 2026 - Digital Greenhouse will continue operating from current premises until April 2027 - Formal tender process for new operator delayed and will begin no later than October, with decision expected within 3-4 months - Several parties have already expressed interest in taking over innovation hub services - New operator must maintain a physical hub on the island but location remains flexible - Transition period of 4-5 months planned between operator confirmation and April 2027 handover ### [Guernsey seeks bluefin tuna fishing rights as species returns to island waters](https://www.thequarry.media/guernsey-seeks-bluefin-tuna-fishing-rights-as-species-returns-to-island-waters/) Published 15 September 2026 - Guernsey seeking ICCAT membership to enable legal bluefin tuna fishing after five-year increase in species abundance - Up to 30 commercial permits across UK and Crown Dependencies, each potentially worth £50,000 to licence holders - Approximately 25 recreational catch-and-release permits expected for Bailiwick applicants for 2027 season - Legislative changes required including new permit regime and prohibition on taking other ICCAT-managed shark species - Fishing without ICCAT status considered illegal and could result in vessel blacklisting and trade sanctions ### [States asked to approve £16m to £22m children's services hub at Raymond Falla House](https://www.thequarry.media/states-asked-to-approve-16m-to-22m-childrens-services-hub-at-raymond-falla-house/) Published 15 September 2026 - Health & Social Care seeks States approval for a new Children's Services Hub at Raymond Falla House with a budget of £16m to £22m - The hub would consolidate services from four sites — Lukis House, Swissville, Garden Hill and Perruque House — into one modern facility - Existing States-owned sites would be released for alternative uses, including potential housing development - The project aims to improve access to support, strengthen professional collaboration and enable earlier intervention for families - Housing Committee has indicated broad support, recognising the opportunity to address the island's housing needs ### [Guernsey Ports records sustained growth in passenger numbers through 2026](https://www.thequarry.media/guernsey-ports-records-sustained-growth-in-passenger-numbers-through-2026/) Published 15 September 2026 - Guernsey Airport recorded its busiest July since the Covid-19 pandemic, with passenger numbers up 10% on July 2025 and exceeding 75,000 for the first time since 2019 - August passenger numbers increased by 7% year-on-year, with more than 75,000 travellers again passing through the airport - Ferry passenger numbers on northern and southern sea routes were 3% higher in July 2026 compared with July 2025, with year-to-date figures 1% up on 2025 and 14% higher than 2024 - Guernsey's marinas continue to perform strongly, with visiting vessel and passenger numbers remaining close to 2025 levels - Year-end totals for visiting leisure craft are expected to be close to 2025 figures, when approximately 7,800 private vessels brought around 20,000 visitors to the island ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/48/0b/480bfed6-f3f7-4a48-9efe-fae23adf5d03/content/images/2026/09/guernsey-record-3--1.png) ### [Brittany Ferries crew's dramatic yacht rescue featured in BBC documentary](https://www.thequarry.media/brittany-ferries-crews-dramatic-yacht-rescue-featured-in-bbc-documentary/) Published 15 September 2026 - Brittany Ferries crew rescued an ill yacht skipper and his two teenage daughters in Force 6 winds and two-metre waves south of Jersey on 6 July 2025 - Three crew members from the ferry Voyager launched a rescue boat and boarded the stricken yacht to stabilise it until RNLI Jersey lifeboat arrived - The rescue was coordinated between Voyager's Captain Pierre Hingant and RNLI crew, with the yacht eventually towed to St Helier at 22:00 - The dramatic rescue featured in episode four of BBC Two's Saving Lives at Sea, broadcast on 8 September 2026 - The yacht skipper made a full recovery and the Bahamas Maritime Authority commended the crew for their professionalism ### [Alderney Airport runway reconstruction delayed until 2028](https://www.thequarry.media/alderney-airport-runway-reconstruction-delayed-until-2028/) Published 11 September 2026 - Reconstruction of Alderney Airport's main runway delayed to 2028 at the earliest following design review - Revised plans avoid widening the 18-metre runway, reducing construction material volume by approximately 25 per cent - Director of Civil Aviation confirms current regulatory alleviation can continue with suitable safety case - Competitive tender process expected to commence in early 2027 after five-month design development period - Existing runway patching programme to continue ensuring air services remain operational during delay ### [Thousands of species discovered in Guernsey's freshwater habitats](https://www.thequarry.media/thousands-of-species-discovered-in-guernseys-freshwater-habitats/) Published 11 September 2026 - First island-wide environmental DNA survey detects 2,630 unique organisms across 36 groups in Guernsey's freshwater habitats - 2,249 organisms had no previous record in the Guernsey Biological Records Database - European eel DNA detected in 12 waterbodies, mainly in streams - Invasive brown rat DNA found in 21 waterbodies; American signal crayfish DNA detected at one location - Second sampling round scheduled for September to confirm findings ## Guernsey Gazette [St Martin's Parish is holding a meeting on 24 September to seek ratepayer approval to sell the parish rectory and buy a replacement house.](https://gazette.guernseypress.com/notices/9093?ref=thequarry.media) ## GFSC notices [One year on: Digital Finance Initiative turns engagement into action](https://www.gfsc.gg/news/one-year-digital-finance-initiative-turns-engagement-action?ref=thequarry.media) [Investment Statistics Summary Second Quarter 2026](https://www.gfsc.gg/news/investment-statistics-summary-second-quarter-2026?ref=thequarry.media) [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/48/0b/480bfed6-f3f7-4a48-9efe-fae23adf5d03/content/images/2026/09/cryptic_cracker-1-.png)](https://www.thequarry.media/games-by-the-quarry/) --- ### Information Hub **[Planning Applications and Decisions](https://www.thequarry.media/whats-happening-near-you-this-weeks-planning-approvals/)** **[Roadworks and Closures](https://www.thequarry.media/roadworks-latest/)** **[Weather and Tides](https://www.thequarry.media/weather-and-tides/)** --- ### VR Gallery Explore our virtual reality galleries. **[The Quarry VR Gallery](https://www.thequarry.media/the-quarry-vr-gallery/)** **[Ste Apolline's Chapel](https://www.thequarry.media/discover%5Fguernsey%5Fste%5Fapollines%5Fchapel%5Fvirtual%5Ftour/)** --- *If you'd like to back our independent journalism further please consider [becoming a paid subscriber or member](https://www.thequarry.media/#/portal/). It helps support our in-depth news and feature writing beyond the traditional headlines. There are monthly and annual payment options available.*