The Weekly Briefing from The Quarry

Dig This - a podcast by The Quarry

In the Gallery with Luke Gallie

A Colourful Mind by Luke Gallie is an exhibition at Guernsey Arts Greenhouse Gallery featuring artworks in acrylic, watercolour and spray paint.

Using a variety of colour palettes, styles and aesthetics, professional tattoo artist Luke challenges and explores his own creative process. The exhibition is open until 25 October.

You can listen to our podcasts on Spotify and Apple.

In other news...

• Committee for the Environment & Infrastructure has refused to disclose internal documents behind professional dog walker licensing decision
• No standalone study exists quantifying improvement in animal welfare outcomes from licensing professional dog walkers
• Committee withholds internal material under FOI exemption for policy advice, citing need to protect frank discussion
• 2025 public consultation showed support for controls on professional dog walking but was not regarded as representative
• Professional dog walking was specifically added to licensing framework through 2026 regulations, not included in original 2012 ordinance

• Development & Planning Authority has refused Luxicar's application to convert 815 square metres of agricultural land into car parking for Forest Road Garage
• Agriculture, Countryside and Land Management Services confirmed the site was managed as farmed agricultural land in 2025, contradicting claims it is not part of an agricultural holding
• The land features excellent soil quality and forms part of a wider contiguous block of agricultural land with no clear reason it cannot continue contributing to farming operations
• Planners expressed concern the approval could set an undesirable precedent for further encroachment onto agricultural land within the Agriculture Priority Area
• The applicant has the right to appeal the decision to the Planning Tribunal within six months of the 8 October 2026 decision date

• Scrutiny Management Committee to hold public hearing on 2027 budget with Policy & Resources Committee on 19th October 2026
• Hearing will take place at Castel Douzaine Room from 14:00 to 16:00 and be live-streamed on YouTube
• Panel will be chaired by Deputy Andy Sloan, with Mark Le Page and Advocate Peter Harwood
• Committee chairman says Guernsey's public finances picture has changed remarkably in twelve months with substantial revisions to forecasts
• Hearing aims to examine assumptions underpinning budget and distinguish unavoidable costs from policy choices

• Tourism Advisory Board invites grant applications for tourism projects in Guernsey
• Funding available for projects between January 2027 and April 2028
• Priority given to off-peak events linked to Millennium, Year of the Normans and cultural identity
• Projects must improve visitor experience, raise island profile or increase visitor numbers
• Application deadline is Monday 9th November

• Charities have until 12pm on Monday 19th October 2026 to apply for Social Investment Fund small grants
• Grants of up to £15,000 are available for projects, capital expenses or running costs lasting up to one year
• Funding supports charities helping vulnerable people, creating opportunities, protecting the environment and improving community wellbeing
• Since 2021, the programme has awarded 165 grants totalling over £1.5 million
• Applications can be submitted online at www.sif.gg with support available for organisations needing assistance

• Revenue Service hosting three drop-in sessions in October to help with 2025 tax returns ahead of 30th November deadline
• Sessions scheduled outside normal working hours, including first-ever weekday evening slot on 28th October
• 14,538 personal tax returns submitted so far, with reminder letters to be sent to those who have not yet completed returns
• Additional regular drop-in sessions available at Edward T. Wheadon House on three Mondays in October and November
• Revenue Service reports clearing over 20,000 corporate tax assessments and issuing over 1,000 repayments since last update

• States of Guernsey introducing 'Understanding Menopause at Work' training course for public service managers
• Course covers menopause symptoms, workplace impact and practical guidance for supporting affected employees
• Initiative launched during Menopause Awareness Month 2026 as part of wider wellbeing agenda
• Public Health emphasises menopause as community issue affecting wellbeing, work and family life
• Multiple local and national support services available including GP surgeries, Healthy Minds and Guernsey Mind

• Sixteen Bailiwick charities have received a share of more than £100,000 raised by the 2026 Saffery Rotary Walk
• More than 1,000 participants completed the 39-mile coastal route despite challenging weather conditions including wind and rain
• The final finishers, a family group of four, completed the walk in more than 16 hours, crossing the line at 8.43pm
• Funds were presented at Government House by Lieutenant General Sir Richard Cripwell KBE CB
• Applications for the 2027 Walk open on 19 October, with the event scheduled for Saturday 12 June

• Home Affairs is developing a Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy for Guernsey and Alderney with stakeholder consultation planned over coming months
• The new strategy builds on the Domestic Abuse & Sexual Violence Strategy (2022-2025), which established Willow House Sexual Assault Referral Centre and introduced Independent Sexual Violence Advocates
• A new Domestic Abuse Law has been introduced and will be complemented by the proposed Protection from Harm Law, 2026, which introduces offences including strangulation, stalking, spiking and female genital mutilation
• The strategy will focus on improving data collection, strengthening prevention through education, and modernising victim-centred legislation and justice processes
• Deputy Munazza Malik says women and girls are disproportionately victims of these forms of violence nationally and locally, though the entire community should benefit from the work

• Police complaints in Guernsey rose to 54 in 2025, up 26 per cent from 43 in 2024
• Complaints about authority, respect and courtesy more than doubled from 13 to 32 cases
• Use of force complaints fell sharply from 19 in 2024 to seven in 2025
• 78 per cent of 2025 complaints resulted in no further action being taken
• No complaints from 2025 were referred to misconduct proceedings

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Guernsey Gazette

St Andrew's Parish is holding elections on 4th November 2026 for five Douzenier positions and one People's Warden role.

St Peter Port Parish is seeking nominations for one Constable and eight Douzeniers, with elections on 4th November 2026.

St. Peter Port Parish will hold a meeting on 4th November 2026 to appoint examiners for the Churchwardens' 2026 financial accounts.

St Martin Parish will vote on 4th November 2026 to elect officials and decide on selling the Scout Hut and portions of the Community Field.

Torteval Parish is holding elections on 4th November 2026 for three Douzeniers and two Constables.

The Parish of the Forest will elect one Constable, three Douzeniers, and two Cemetery Committee members on 4th November 2026.

St Pierre du Bois Parish will hold elections on 4th November 2026 for Douzeniers and Constables.

An abandoned vehicle at a Vale property must be removed by 2 November 2026 or it will be disposed of.

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