At the invitation of Hervé Morin, representatives from the Channel islands attended the first assembly of the regional council of the newly reunified Normandy. Sir Philip Bailhache, Jersey’s Minister for External Relations, and Sir Richard Collas, Bailiff of Guernsey (both representing their respective Chief Minister) were in Rouen on 4 January for this special occasion. A symbolic and historic moment for Channel islands representatives. Indeed, until the Duchy was attached to the
Channel islands authorities wish to publish a message following the terrible terrorist attacks perpetrated in Paris on Friday 13th November.
Following this act of barbary, numerous peoples have lost their lives and political and civil representatives would like to address to the Victims families, the injured and the whole French population their sincerest and deepest condolences. Attacking innocent individuals is coward and the Channel Islands firmly condemn these terrorist acts.
By solidarity, the Channel Islands have organized many vigils and gathering ceremonies so the French community of the islands receives all the support they need from us. It is important that we all share the French sorrows for “our friends, our cousins”.
“We have to remain united and to stay together to preserve and defend our shared values of Freedom Liberté Egalité Fraternité which are so important against hatred and terrorism” agreed the Jersey and Guernsey Chief Ministers
The Chief Minister of Guernsey Jonathan LeTocq and the Chief Minister of Jersey Ian Gorst attended the official launch of the 2016 Tour de France in Paris, at the invitation of Philippe Bas, President of the Department La Manche. La Manche is one of the island’s longstanding partner and will host the Grand Départ as well as the two following stages which is a first in the history of the Tour that one single county hosts three different race stages. Indeed, the world’s most prestigious cycling race will start on the islands’ doorstep next summer from the Mont Saint-Michel on Saturday 2 July. Full itinerary here Given the partnership with La Manche, the islands are welcome to submit any project (educational, sport, cultural, etc) in relation to the Grand Depart of the Tour de France, before the 18 December. Please contact BIAN for further information.
The 28th European regional assembly of the APF was held in St Helier, Jersey between 12 and 15 October 2015. Various topics were discussed during the three day event, covering the promotion of the Francophonie in Jersey, a rather Anglophone island; the economic strategy for the Francophone Europe; and freedom of expression and of the press, following the tragic attacks against Charlie Hebdo earlier this year.
The conference, which brought together Parliamentarians from 16 Sections of the APF Europe region, was a great success.
Thanks to the kind involvement of the Prefecture of Brittany, the senior team of DVS in Jersey travelled to Rennes on 1 and 2 October 2015 to meet interlocutors of choice and see how driving tests are carried out and to what standard. The aim of the visit was to better understand the French learning rules for the revision of Jersey Driving tests and Examination procedures.
The meetings were seen as very interesting (or inspiring?) from both parties and enable to open a new line of communication between the French services and their Jersey counterparts.
Following the official switching of the third submarine electric cable between France and Jersey in January, agreement has been reached to replace EDF1, the first cable to be put in place that was installed in 1984. Jersey Electricity and Guernsey Electricity will joint fund the £40m replacement cable that is expected to be completed in 2017.
A delegation from the Channel Islands visited Brittany recently to meet with representatives from the Region’s regional health authority. Dr Stephen Bridgman, Guernsey’s Director of Public Health, and Dr Susan Turnbull, Jersey’s Medical Officer for Health, met Breton colleagues to discuss a range of public health matters, and a new public health professional cross-border network, to share good practice and enhance efforts to protect and improve the health of Channel islanders.
Jersey’s Probation and Aftercare Service was delighted to host a delegation from the French National Probation and Prison Training Academy (ENAP) in early July. The delegation was led by the Director of the Probation Department, Mr Michel Flauder. Accompanying was Mr Cédric Le Bossé, ENAP’s International Relations Officer. Professor Peter Raynor from Swansea University also joined the delegation to present on academic research he has conducted in Jersey, the results of which have been incorporated into practice attracting considerable interest from around the world. The delegation learnt about probation initiatives and observed staff working with their clients. The delegation chose to visit Jersey because of its longstanding reputation for delivering effective assessment and supervision practice.”
Lower Normandy, La Manche, Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney and Sark held the inaugural annual Summit on the 5th June 2015 at Mont Saint Michel, in the presence of the French State‘s representative, the Préfète of La Manche.
Less than six months after the signing in Cherbourg of the Cooperation Agreement on 22 January 2015 between the regional council of Lower Normandy, the county council of La Manche, the Government of Jersey and the States of Guernsey, the four territories met at the first annual Summit to explore opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation. Associate Members Alderney and Sark were also represented.
Laurent Beauvais, President of the regional council of Lower Normandy, Philippe Bas, President of the county council of La Manche, Senator Ian Gorst, Chief Minister of Jersey, Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq, Chief Minister of Guernsey, Neil Harvey, Chairman of the Alderney’s Policy and Finance Committee, Conseiller Charles Maitland, Chairman of Sark’s Policy and Performance Committee, and Daniele Polvé-Montmasson, Préfète of La Manche were present at this inaugural event.
The annual Summit sealed the friendship that exists between the partner jurisdictions and offered an opportunity to work together on matters of mutual interest in areas such as the economy, culture and the environment.
Among the subjects discussed were the Tour De France 2016, which will begin in La Manche, emergency planning and cooperation between digital promotion agencies. Marine renewable energy was also discussed in the context of the 21st United Nations Climate Change Conference that will be held in Paris in December 2015.
The merger of Lower and Upper Normandy was also discussed by President Laurent Beauvais.
The Préfète of La Manche concluded the annual Summit, which was hosted at the historic Mont Saint Michel. More than 75 elected officials and officers from the four jurisdictions took part. Jersey will welcome the second annual Summit in 2016.
This Communiqué is drafted in French and English, both versions having equal value
