Bailiwick Podcasts

In 2018 Jersey was approached to join the Vienna Convention for Road Traffic, and in 2019 work began to implement it. Since then, the Government has been working to bring in MOT-style 'Periodic Technical Inspections' - this week, they announced that they will building the centre for the tests themselves, due for 2024. However, they are still making the decision about whether they will be running the centre themselves, or whether it will be privately run by a franchise, either off-island or on-island. With expressions of interest currently being sought, DVS Head, Gordon Forrest, discusses how the inspections will be carried out, why the decision was made not to hand tests over to the island's garage industry, and how they will be making sure not to take away from the industry's already small pool of mechanics. ★ Support this podcast ★

The Alderney Bird Observatory has been voted out of its home and will have to leave the nunnery, where it has been for the past three years. The internationally acclaimed group has brought tourists and bird fanatics alike to the Alderney, quite often in the shoulder months when the tourist season dies off. So why do States member want to see it gone? The Editor of the Bailiwick Express took the time to pick apart the torrid tale and explain why the ABO could be gone for good. ★ Support this podcast ★

With a recent Government report noting that eating disorders in children have more than tripled over the past four years, and charity Jersey Eating Disorders Support noting an increase in adults coming to them for help too, there seems to be a growing prevalence of the condition on the island. Express sits down with Jersey Eating Disorders Support's mother-and-daughter duo, Amy and Karen Dingle, to discuss both what living with an eating disorder entails, why there's been an increase, and what the island can do to tackle it... ★ Support this podcast ★

Cost and the unlikelihood of either legislative or political priority have been given as reasons not to introduce a full Freedom of Information Law, with Scrutiny instead suggesting a model that would expect - but not compel - the States to answer valid requests for public information. The Committee is recommending that the current Code on Access to Public Information is "strengthened" expediently at no added cost through an independent appeals process. We sat down with the Scrutiny President Yvonne Burford and Committee Member Simon Fairclough to debate those proposals... ★ Support this podcast ★

When 60 French fishing boats arrived in Jersey's harbour to protest their fishing rights it thrust the island onto the frontline of international politics, and right into the middle of the Battle of Brexit. With the Royal Navy keeping watch, the protest ended peacefully, and may now lead to closer communication between Jersey officials and the Normandy fishers. But what are the wider implications for Brexit, and could Jersey see a repeat of the events of this week which have sailed around the world? ★ Support this podcast ★

Gaz Papworth has followed up his award winning documentary man down, with UnMute, which continues to focus on mental health and the social issues that cause stress and unrest in our lives. We spoke to Gaz about the premiere this week, the people he spoke to and the future of his company, Element Films.... ★ Support this podcast ★

Many would be horrified at the idea of ripping up an entire forest just to get a bird on our plate for a roast dinner... but some types of fishing are the equivalent of doing this at sea. Express digs into the threat facing Jersey's waters and asks, what can we do about it? ★ Support this podcast ★

At some point in our lives many of us will need to claim benefits, and with the cost of living so high, many of us may also need to consider social housing or partial ownership schemes. Unfortunately these decisions can come with stigmas and stereotypes, most recently highlighted by a Bailiwick Express article regarding a landlord telling a prospective tenant to "f*** off and get a job". We asked the President of Employment and Social Security, Deputy Peter Roffey, to come in and bust some myths about social housing. He was joined by local businessman and non-voting member of ESS, Ross Le Brun. ★ Support this podcast ★

It's a school designed to look after some of Jersey's most vulnerable children, but it's been likened to a "containment facility". La Sente was established in 2018, in the wake of the Care Inquiry and a pledge from Government to 'put children first'. The name was chosen as it is Jèrriais for 'the path', reflecting the school's mission to help children with complex emotional, social and behavioural needs become their "best or true self." But guardians of the school's pupils, individuals involved in child welfare, and even the Children's Commissioner have told Express that such a description couldn't be further from the truth... ★ Support this podcast ★

The idea of a fixed link between Guernsey and Jersey is a question of when, not if, according to a Guernsey actuary. Martyn Dorey says an under water tunnel between the islands is inevitable, and with borrowing rates low, now is the perfect time to engage a £2.6 billion pound project, which he says will be completed in six years and become profitable in 30. So how will it work? What do private investors need, and how much public money would be needed for the feasibility study? We invited Mr Dorey into the studio, to drill down into his plans. ★ Support this podcast ★

Inappropriate comments. Playground porn. Upskirting. Assault. In the wake of Sarah Everard's death and the Everyone's Invited revelations, schoolgirls who previously suffered sexual harassment once brushed off as 'banter' or 'boys will be boys' are now speaking up - including in Jersey. Last month, JCG and Victoria College wrote to parents, telling them that some students' accounts were "difficult to hear". Express spoke to Jersey Action Against Rape (JAAR) about the root of these problems and how we begin tackling them... ★ Support this podcast ★

The St Peter Port Port Douzaine is the biggest Douzaine in the island, with some 9,000 plus parishioners and 20 members given the task of running the parish. This week saw the latest Remede voted in, the parish budget and all it entails. From the cost of keeping the lights on, to maintaining Cambridge park and a grant for school books. For the first time one constable decided to pick apart the budget online, showing us exactly where and how our intended rates are to be spent throughout the year. Zoe Lihou did this through a video she shared, to try and make the organisation more transparent and open, and we sat down with her to discuss exactly what this means... ★ Support this podcast ★

This wasn't betting as we know it. Jersey-based Football Index was a self-styled 'football stock market' where fans could grow 'investment portfolios' worth thousands by buying 'shares' in top players. Then suddenly the company collapsed last month, and their money disappeared. Regulatory referees in Jersey and the UK are now consulting the VAR screens to see if there was a foul. But some players are wondering if the refs were paying full attention to the match... ★ Support this podcast ★

The Bailiff has been an integral part of island life since the 13th century and Sir Richard Collas was our 89th sitting Bailiff until his retirement last year. He was kind enough to sit down with Express and discuss his time in the role, his road to the position and the many charities he is now involved with. ★ Support this podcast ★

Back in 2005 the States did a deal with global chemical giant 3m, to accept £2.6m, in return for agreeing never to take legal action about the pollutant PFOS which had got into the water supply from fire-fighting foam used at the airport. The details in that agreement were never made public. This week, Express was shown of copy of it. This podcast reveals the full story... ★ Support this podcast ★

Internet trolling. It's not something you'd expect from a sitting Deputy. Unfortunately this kind of behaviour has been making the headlines recently, after Deputy Chris Le Tisser was revealed to be trolling colleagues whilst sitting in the State's Chamber. Deputy Le Tisser was using the Twitter handle @radiosutch299 to post anonymously and his actions have forced him to self-refer to a code of conduct panel. In an unprecedented situation, he now faces being sacked. The story was broken following an investigation spearheaded by Express Guernsey's News Editor, Aaron Carpenter. He speaks on the role of social media in local politics, the potential for a sitting Deputy to be fired and why it's so important to hold our elected officials to a high standard. ★ Support this podcast ★

No woman should be afraid to walk home alone. This is the bottom line of a national campaign sparked by the death of Sarah Everard. The 33 year old went missing after walking home in London, one week later her body was found in Kent and a police officer was charged with her murder. The event was a catalyst for a national movement, raising awareness of abuse and sexual violence. A peaceful protest was held in Guernsey this week and the Bailiwick Podcast invited two of the organisers, Daisy Chappel and Gwen Le Blond, into the studio, to discuss the event and why the conversation needs to continue. ★ Support this podcast ★

Along with aerosol dispersal, self-isolation and the alcohol content of hand sanitiser, a Vaccine Passport is yet another concept which covid has forced us to get our heads round in the last 12 months. As well as the obvious health issues caused by the virus, it has also challenged us to reconsider how much we value our freedom.....and what we will accept being removed or suspended. This is a year when we have all accepted being ordered to stay at home for most of each day, wearing a face mask to go shopping and not seeing loved ones for months on end. Will we also accept being compelled to have a particular medical procedure - a vaccine - if we want to do something, like travel without needing to isolate? Exactly what is meant by a vaccine passport is still unclear, but already the government is under a lot of pressure to make travel easier - by removing some of the restrictions they have imposed - for those who have had the vaccine. ★ Support this podcast ★

This week a major new sports strategy is launched in Jersey, seeing £100m spent over 10 years to build a series of new sports and wellbeing centres - the Bailiwick Podcast talks to the man behind the plans to make us one of the most active populations in the world. ★ Support this podcast ★

Twelve months have passed since the Bailiwick first went into lockdown due to escalating cases of covid-19 in Guernsey. The Bailiwick Podcast invited the Director of Public Health and the former Health & Social Care President to reflect on a year like no other, full of fateful decisions, personal struggles and an enduring will to make it through. ★ Support this podcast ★