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# The Weekly Briefing from The Quarry
- URL: https://www.thequarry.media/the-weekly-briefing-from-the-quarry-65/
- Published: 2026-09-23T14:45:03.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-23T14:45:03.000Z
- Author: Nick Mann
- Tags: The Briefing

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/48/0b/480bfed6-f3f7-4a48-9efe-fae23adf5d03/content/images/2026/09/Coming-up-for-members-Storms--death--desertion-and-drunkenness-Guernsey---s-forgotten-connections-with-Cutty-Sark.png)

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### [Updated modelling estimates GST package will raise £3m a year less than expected as housing costs erode spending](https://www.thequarry.media/updated-modelling-estimates-tax-package-will-raise-3m-a-year-less-than-expected/) 

Published 22 September 2026

- Updated financial modelling shows the 2026 Tax Reform Package will generate £36m a year in net additional revenue, down from the £39m estimate published in June
- The reduction is primarily due to updated household expenditure data showing average spending fell 6% in real terms, with housing costs taking up a larger proportion of household budgets
- GST revenue from households revised down to £38.3m from £41m, while visitor GST revenue adjusted to £3.5m from £4.7m based on latest expenditure surveys
- The package still provides tax relief for average and lower earners, with income tax changes costing £26.2m compared to £27.9m previously
- Combined with £20m annual expenditure reductions already agreed, the measures would improve public finances by approximately £56m a year - still short of the estimated £80m shortfall

### [Guernsey unveils major education, sport and culture workplan for 2026-2029](https://www.thequarry.media/guernsey-unveils-major-education-sport-and-culture-workplan-for-2026-2029/) 

Published 22 September 2026

- Education, Sport & Culture publishes workplan for 2026-2029 with 11 major policy workstreams addressing education, sport and cultural development
- Beau Sejour Programme to determine future of 50-year-old facility by mid-2027, with options ranging from adaptation to fundamental redevelopment
- Sixth Form Centre location and Les Ozouets Campus Phase 2 under review, with options appraisals due by Q4 2026 and September 2026 respectively
- Transformation of primary education to commence in 2027, addressing changing demographics and establishing framework for future-focused provision
- Reviews planned for preschool funding, school meals provision, higher education funding and culture strategy, alongside pursuit of University College Status for Guernsey Institute

### [Caritas to install two further emergency sleeping pods in St Peter Port](https://www.thequarry.media/caritas-to-install-two-further-emergency-sleeping-pods-in-st-peter-port/) 

Published 22 September 2026

- Caritas Guernsey is installing two additional emergency sleeping pods between the Queen Elizabeth II Marina and La Salerie car park, subject to planning approval
- The existing two pods at Vale Douzaine Rooms have provided accommodation for more than 100 nights since installation at the end of 2025
- Demand has varied considerably during the first half of the year, with waiting lists often forming for the emergency accommodation
- The self-contained units feature solar power, battery storage and toilet facilities, providing safe short-term accommodation
- The pods form part of Caritas's wider work to address homelessness, including plans for a community of modular homes

### [Guernsey Development Agency charts pathway forward to deliver Bridge projects](https://www.thequarry.media/guernsey-development-agency-charts-pathway-forward-to-deliver-bridge-projects/) 

Published 22 September 2026

- Guernsey Development Agency receives endorsement to progress short-term enhancement projects for St Sampson's from its Political Oversight Group
- Approved projects include walking and cycling routes, new bus station, Bridge retail area improvements and family community area with play facilities
- Vale Castle accessibility upgrades, Marine Centre and improvements to La Crocq and Abraham's Bosom piers also included in plans
- Agency will engage with landowners and authorities to develop plans and cost estimates before community consultation
- Business & Funding Plan required before States of Deliberation approval and construction commencement

### [La Houguette Primary School to celebrate 50th anniversary with year-long events](https://www.thequarry.media/la-houguette-primary-school-to-celebrate-50th-anniversary-with-year-long-events/) 

Published 22 September 2026

- La Houguette Primary School marks its 50th anniversary on 19th November 2026
- The school opened in 1976, bringing together primary education for three western parishes
- Year-long celebrations begin with a bonfire night party on 6th November
- The school features a nature reserve and Second World War bunker used for teaching
- Former pupils and staff invited to contribute to a 50th anniversary memory book

### [Social Investment Fund opens second round of small grants for Bailiwick charities](https://www.thequarry.media/social-investment-fund-opens-second-round-of-small-grants-for-bailiwick-charities/) 

Published 22 September 2026

- Social Investment Fund opens second 2026 round of small grants, offering up to £15,000 to Bailiwick charities and non-profits across all sectors
- Since programme launch in 2021, 165 grants totalling over £1.5 million have been awarded to organisations supporting local residents
- First 2026 round awarded around £160,000 to over 25 charities in arts, culture, heritage and sport sectors
- Applications must support outcomes including improving lives of vulnerable people, employment opportunities, environmental protection, health and wellbeing, or community inclusion
- Deadline for applications is 12pm on Monday, 19 October 2026 through SIF's online grant application portal

### [Twenty emerging fund managers shortlisted for Guernsey's inaugural Fund Foundry programme](https://www.thequarry.media/twenty-emerging-fund-managers-shortlisted-for-guernseys-inaugural-fund-foundry-programme/) 

Published 22 September 2026

- Twenty fund managers shortlisted from 112 applications for Guernsey's Fund Foundry programme selection event on 23 September
- Finalists are launching funds targeting £1.58bn combined, spanning venture capital, private equity, private debt, real estate and other strategies
- Five managers will be selected for the inaugural cohort, each receiving £25,000 support plus mentoring and investor introductions
- Total first-year programme value could exceed £75,000 per manager with no fee, equity or carry requirements
- Guernsey is home to more than 1,500 funds overseeing £1trn in investments, with domiciled fund NAV at £270bn

### [Hospital to introduce prescription charges from next month](https://www.thequarry.media/hospital-to-introduce-prescription-charges-from-next-month/) 

Published 22 September 2026

- Princess Elizabeth Hospital to charge £5.40 per prescription item from 1st October
- Change brings hospital dispensing in line with community pharmacy charges
- Hospital has been dispensing increasing numbers of prescriptions previously supplied by community pharmacies
- Existing exemptions from prescription charges will continue to apply
- Card payments only, to be made at time of collection

### [Channel Islands lag behind UK in organ donor registrations](https://www.thequarry.media/channel-islands-lag-behind-uk-in-organ-donor-registrations/) 

Published 22 September 2026

- Only 18% of Channel Islands residents have registered as organ donors, compared to 43% in the UK
- The Bailiwick of Guernsey adopted an 'opt-out' system for organ donation in 2023
- Health & Social Care emphasises the importance of explicitly registering donation decisions on the NHS Organ Donor Register
- Families are always consulted before organ donation proceeds, making prior conversations about wishes crucial
- One donor can potentially save or improve the lives of up to nine people

### [Guernsey Museum unveils History Fest programme as hospice exhibition enters final week](https://www.thequarry.media/guernsey-museum-unveils-history-fest-programme-as-hospice-exhibition-enters-final-week/) 

Published 22 September 2026

- History Fest 2026 takes place at Guernsey Museum on 26th and 27th September with the theme "Back in My Day"
- The festival partners with Visit Guernsey's 'The Big Eat' Food Festival and includes guided tours, craft demonstrations and a farmer's market
- Activities include a lecture on Guernsey fishing heritage, woollen crafts, and a historical tour about workers at Keiller's Marmalade factory
- 'Here for Life: 35 Years of Les Bourgs Hospice' exhibition closes on 27th September after attracting thousands of visitors since July
- The hospice exhibition features more than 100 portraits by Aaron Yeandle with personal testimonies, film and soundscape

### [Foundation grant will help young people build better lives](https://www.thequarry.media/foundation-grant-will-help-young-people-build-better-lives/) 

Published 22 September 2026

- Guernsey Community Foundation awards £48,000 grant to Action for Children to expand its Work and Wellbeing Service
- Service will now be accessible to young people aged 16 to 25 across the island, not just those with care experience
- Programme focuses on developing confidence, resilience and practical skills to support transition into work and independence
- Grant follows Foundation's Quality of Life Report highlighting loneliness, stress and unhappiness among Guernsey's young people
- Service includes personal development, CV-building, employability support, mentoring and resilience training

### [Social housing waiting list stands at 436 households with waits of up to four years](https://www.thequarry.media/social-housing-waiting-list-stands-at-436-households-with-waits-of-up-to-four-years/) 

Published 22 September 2026

- A total of 436 households are waiting for social housing in Guernsey at the end of Q2 2026, comprising 277 new applicants and 159 transfer requests
- Demand is highest for one-bedroom properties with 261 households waiting, followed by 90 for two-bedroom, 59 for three-bedroom and 26 for four-bedroom properties
- Band 1 priority applicants face waits of one to two years depending on property size, whilst Band 2 applicants wait between two and four-plus years
- Properties are allocated alternately between Band 1 and Band 2 applicants, with every 20th property going to Band 3 applicants
- The waiting list serves approximately 2,400 social rental properties managed by both Guernsey Housing Association and States Housing

### [Vale Earth Fair launches alien sculpture trail to mark 50th anniversary](https://www.thequarry.media/vale-earth-fair-launches-alien-sculpture-trail-to-mark-50th-anniversary-2/) 

Published 21 September 2026

- Vale Earth Fair marks 50th anniversary with alien sculpture trail featuring 25 artworks made from recycled materials
- Each alien represents a different local charity, with donations split 50/50 between charities and the festival
- Photo competition offers weekly prize draws for participants who photograph all 25 sculptures
- Silent auction for the sculptures runs until 12 noon on 16 October, with proceeds shared equally
- Trail aims to extend summer activities and raise awareness of local charities across the island

### [Guernsey opens the door to greater digital finance opportunities](https://www.thequarry.media/guernsey-opens-the-door-to-greater-digital-finance-opportunities/) 

Published 17 September 2026

- Guernsey Financial Services Commission has amended regulations to expand digital finance opportunities in the Bailiwick
- New rules remove requirement for firms to hold separate virtual asset service provider licences in all cases
- Blanket restriction preventing virtual asset service providers from serving retail customers has been lifted
- Environmental reporting requirement specific to virtual asset firms has been removed to align with international practice
- Changes come into effect on 1 October 2026 as part of wider Digital Finance Initiative

[![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/48/0b/480bfed6-f3f7-4a48-9efe-fae23adf5d03/content/images/2026/09/cryptic_cracker-3-.png)](https://crypticcracker.thequarry.media/?ref=thequarry.media)

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## Guernsey Gazette

[AK Limited is applying for a Category A liquor licence for The Room at 13 Mill Street, St Peter Port.](https://gazette.guernseypress.com/notices/9102?ref=thequarry.media) 

[Three candidates have been nominated for election to fill a vacant Jurat position at the Royal Court.](https://gazette.guernseypress.com/notices/9103?ref=thequarry.media) 

[Camblez on Queens Road has been removed from the protected buildings list and no longer has heritage protections.](https://gazette.guernseypress.com/notices/9109?ref=thequarry.media) 

[Owners of abandoned boats at Grand Havre have three months to remove their vessels or face government removal and charges.](https://gazette.guernseypress.com/notices/9108?ref=thequarry.media) 

## GFSC notices

[Investment Statistics Summary Second Quarter 2026](https://www.gfsc.gg/news/investment-statistics-summary-second-quarter-2026?ref=thequarry.media) 

[Guernsey opens the door to greater digital finance opportunities](https://www.gfsc.gg/news/guernsey-opens-door-greater-digital-finance-opportunities?ref=thequarry.media) 

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