> ## 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-66/ - Published: 2026-09-30T16:14:51.000Z - Updated: 2026-09-30T16:15:06.000Z - Author: Nick Mann - Tags: The Briefing ## Dig This - a podcast for Guernsey [Dig This: Frances Hesselbein - a quiet revolutionary whose leadership is still changing our world![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/48/0b/480bfed6-f3f7-4a48-9efe-fae23adf5d03/content/images/icon/The-Quarry-logo-1-1-23ceabfa-7beb-4d8c-b046-bfc970cbb3b3.png)The Quarry - Independent news from GuernseyNick Mann![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/48/0b/480bfed6-f3f7-4a48-9efe-fae23adf5d03/content/images/thumbnail/111pQp89-2f7d07eb-f444-4815-aa00-60556d2b3a95.jpg)](https://www.thequarry.media/dig-this-frances-hesselbein-a-quiet-revolutionary-whose-leadership-is-still-changing-our-world/) ## In other news... ### [Hospital modernisation phase two halted as costs soar to £273 million - £5.5m already spent developing plan](https://www.thequarry.media/hospital-modernisation-phase-two-halted-as-costs-soar-to-273-million-5-9m-already-spent-developing-it/) Published 29 September 2026 - Phase 2A of hospital modernisation scrapped after costs soar to £273 million, more than double the £120 million approved by the States in 2023 - Phase 1 Critical Care and Post Anaesthetic Care Units built but not in use due to fire safety issues, with total costs now forecast at £39.3 million - Late and incomplete Electronic Patient Record programme transitioning to closure with approximately £22 million of £23.711 million budget spent, remaining projects transferred to Digital & Technology team - Committee spent £5.5 million on Phase 2 development including design work and business cases before deciding project unaffordable - Future approach will focus on smaller, targeted projects rather than large-scale programmes, with health system facing £5 million annual increase in underlying pressures ### [States spend £2.12m. on buying property next to Leale's Yard to allow new transport infrastructure](https://www.thequarry.media/states-spend-2-12m-on-buying-property-next-to-leales-yard-to-allow-new-transport-infrastructure/) Published 30 September 2026 - The Policy & Resources Committee has purchased property next to Leale's Yard for £2.12 million to allow new road infrastructure - The acquisition includes a plot of land, part of a garden, two houses and Atec Engineering's workshop - A previous planning application for a road through the Saltpans site will be withdrawn in favour of more comprehensive plans - Demolition of existing structures at Leale's Yard is now underway as part of wider regeneration plans for the Braye du Valle area - Ridge and Partners has been appointed to develop a masterplan for the area, working alongside local firm CCD Architects ### [Brittany Ferries launches daily Portsmouth service and new Cherbourg route for Guernsey](https://www.thequarry.media/brittany-ferries-launches-daily-portsmouth-service-and-new-cherbourg-route-for-guernsey/) Published 30 September 2026 - Brittany Ferries to increase Portsmouth service from six to seven days per week from 1 November, with new triangular route via Cherbourg - New Cherbourg link provides 3.5-hour connection to France and access to freight rail services to southwest France, Iberian Peninsula and Ireland - Freight costs said to be 14% lower than neighbouring jurisdictions 18 months into 15-year contract, with daily freight service to strengthen supply chain - Passengers on Cherbourg-routed sailings will require passports for UK re-entry; direct Portsmouth services and Voyager operations unchanged - Guernsey now connected to five ports: Portsmouth, Poole, Cherbourg, St Malo and Jersey, with discussions underway with French supermarket ### [Scrutiny committee to examine social security spending in public hearing](https://www.thequarry.media/scrutiny-committee-to-examine-social-security-spending-in-public-hearing/) Published 30 September 2026 - Scrutiny Management Committee will hold public hearing with Employment & Social Security on 6th October 2026 - Benefits spending accounts for more than a quarter of total States expenditure - Personal social security contribution rates will have risen by a third to 8% over 15 years - Committee chair says annual ESS uprating reports are approved without sufficient scrutiny - Hearing will be held at St Martin's Parish Hall between 10am and 12pm, with live streaming available ### [Bailiwick Commission calls for reforms to 'outdated' governance arrangements with Alderney and Sark](https://www.thequarry.media/bailiwick-commission-calls-for-reforms-to-outdated-governance-arrangements-with-alderney-and-sark/) Published 29 September 2026 - Independent Bailiwick Commission has published interim report calling for major reforms to governance arrangements between Guernsey, Alderney and Sark - Commission identifies 1948 Agreement as outdated and no longer fit for purpose, with lack of financial transparency and no formal dispute resolution process - Public survey shows strong support for change in decision-making balance and calls for greater financial transparency and stronger voice for smaller islands - Commission rules out constitutional changes including independence or becoming UK territory, favouring strengthening current arrangements with substantial reforms - Final recommendations expected in September 2027 include Service Level Agreements, formal Inter-Government Council and clearer funding arrangements ### [UPDATE: Man arrested on suspicion of murder after body found in Alderney](https://www.thequarry.media/man-arrested-on-suspicion-of-murder-after-body-found-in-alderney/) Published 28 September 2026 - Body discovered in area known as The Guns in Alderney during early hours of this morning - 44-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murder and is receiving hospital treatment while in police custody - Emergency services including RNLI lifeboat attended the scene - Formal identification has not yet taken place and circumstances are being established - Police confirm they are not looking for anyone further in connection with the incident ### [Fort George outfall repair moves a step closer](https://www.thequarry.media/fort-george-outfall-repair-moves-a-step-closer/) Published 28 September 2026 - Replacement pipe for Fort George outfall has been fabricated and moved to the harbour - Installation by Guernsey Ports' dive team awaits suitable tide and weather conditions - Repair follows discovery earlier this year that outfall was not discharging in intended location - Work expected to be completed within the next few weeks once conditions allow - Guernsey Water will increase inspection frequency on the outfall following repair ### [Business group urges States to raise income tax and cut spending before introducing GST](https://www.thequarry.media/business-group-urges-states-to-raise-income-tax-and-cut-spending-before-introducing-gst/) Published 28 September 2026 - CGi urges States to increase income tax temporarily and cut spending rather than introduce goods and services tax - A 3% income tax increase three years ago would have raised £45 million by 2026, helping to narrow the funding gap - Updated modelling shows GST at 3% would now raise £36 million, down from £39 million previously estimated - CGi warns Revenue Service cannot manage new tax system whilst dealing with significant backlog worsened by individual taxation - Four States committees forecast overspends this year, with HSC seeking tens of millions for Raymond Falla House relocations ### [Independent validation confirms GST reform package revenue estimates are reasonable](https://www.thequarry.media/independent-validation-confirms-gst-reform-package-revenue-estimates-are-reasonable/) Published 25 September 2026 - Independent actuarial firm validates States of Guernsey's 3% GST modelling, confirming calculations are accurate across all 66,021 individuals and 25,529 households - Household GST estimated at £38.3 million (range £36-41 million), visitor GST at £3.5 million, and International Services Entity fees at £11 million, totalling approximately £53 million - Two refinements identified during review resulted in net 4% reduction from earlier £41 million household GST estimate to £38.3 million - Six different validation methods all support the States' figures, and model successfully reproduced Jersey's actual GST receipts within 10% when rescaled - Review praises Guernsey's register-based census linked to tax records as leading approach among Crown Dependencies, eliminating sampling error and enabling full-population modelling ### ["No quick solutions" to inter-island connectivity challenges](https://www.thequarry.media/no-quick-solutions-to-inter-island-connectivity-challenges/) Published 24 September 2026 - Economic development officials from Jersey and Guernsey met to discuss improving inter-island transport links - Both parties acknowledged current connectivity challenges and committed to exploring options with ferry operators - Cruise tourism identified as area for greater cooperation between the islands - Short- and medium-term options to be explored with further announcements planned - Officials emphasised importance of reliable transport for communities, businesses and tourism ### [States to vote on significant planning changes including nine new affordable housing sites](https://www.thequarry.media/states-to-vote-on-significant-planning-changes-including-nine-new-affordable-housing-sites/) Published 24 September 2026 - Nine new sites proposed for approximately 267 affordable homes, with planning permission expected by end of 2027 - Controversial Vazon local centre designation recommended despite independent inspector's opposition over infrastructure and character concerns - Affordable housing surplus stands at just 72 units after proposed allocations, whilst private market has 665-unit surplus - DPA rejects five of inspector's 16 recommendations, including additional affordable housing sites on agricultural land - Major employment land changes include redesignating Saltpans for mixed-use development and switching Belgrave Vinery to industrial use ### [Guernsey Electricity reports £3.3m profit as interconnection emerges as top priority](https://www.thequarry.media/guernsey-electricity-reports-3-3m-profit-as-interconnection-emerges-as-top-priority/) Published 24 September 2026 - Guernsey Electricity reports operating profit of £3.3 million and profit before tax of £1.43 million, with net debt reduced to £42.7 million - Further interconnection identified as top strategic priority, with business case to be presented to States Trading Supervisory Board in 2026 and final investment decision expected in 2028 - 5 per cent revenue cap increase approved, effective July 2026, with average price per kilowatt hour rising to 22.02 pence from 19.85 pence - Company marks 125th anniversary since first supplying electricity in 1900, with new chair Julian Critchlow warning next 25 years will see more change than previous 125 - Customer survey receives 3,617 responses showing cost as main concern, with tariff reform planned to link fixed costs to electrical demand rather than consumption ### [Thousands of Bailiwick records added to Findmypast database](https://www.thequarry.media/thousands-of-bailiwick-records-added-to-findmypast-database/) Published 24 September 2026 - Over 6,000 school admission records from the 19th and 20th centuries and nearly 9,000 prison records from 1854 to 1896 have been added to Findmypast - Civil births and deaths for Alderney and Sark are among the new records published online - The digitisation is part of a partnership between Findmypast and Guernsey's archives to make Bailiwick records accessible worldwide - All scanning work has been carried out on-island at the Priaulx Library, Island Archives and Greffe - The collection continues to grow annually as the 100-year cut-off advances, with births and baptisms from 1926, marriages from 1941 and deaths from 2001 released this year ### [Community cinema event to mark World Homeless Day in Guernsey](https://www.thequarry.media/community-cinema-event-to-mark-world-homeless-day-in-guernsey/) Published 23 September 2026 - Free cinema event on 10 October 2026 will feature four films exploring homelessness across four screens to mark World Homeless Day - Event organised by Action for Children's Guernsey Youth & Housing Project and Caritas Guernsey with sponsorship from The Bachmann Group and Mallard Cinema - Advance booking required with option to donate to Action Mentoring, supporting young people at risk of homelessness - Organisers highlight that homelessness includes hidden forms such as sofa surfing, unstable accommodation and family breakdown - Deputy Garry Collins notes event comes during housing crisis, with projects to increase affordable homes now in pipeline ## This week's audio briefing The Weekly Briefing from The Quarry 0:00 /0 1× ## Guernsey Gazette [The GCRA is proposing modifications to a telecommunications licence for public consultation.](https://gazette.guernseypress.com/notices/9112?ref=thequarry.media) [The Coach House on Rue D'Aval in St Sampson has been added to the protected buildings list.](https://gazette.guernseypress.com/notices/9111?ref=thequarry.media) --- ### Games by The Quarry Try our weekly cryptic crossword and other puzzles. 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