Friday update from Chamber
Thoughts
And so, we arrive almost at the weekend! It is a time we’d normally be looking forward to spending some time at home or out somewhere in the good weather.
Regardless of your view on the options you now have (not many), do stay home, in doing so, you will be saving lives, and that is the best thing you’ll ever do, for yourself, your family and your island.
It is still a concerning and worrying time for the many employers and employees in those important parts of our economy currently excluded from Government support by way of co-funding. We have had another day of concerned emails and calls from those in the professional services industries. They will have another weekend and possibly another week yet, to find out if the Council of Ministers, will decide to assist them too. We will continue to interact, inform and influence.
Right on with the Friday night round up and I’ll keep it as brief as I can make it.
We started the day with an operational briefing at 0900 on how the government is managing the response to Coronavirus from the Chief Executive, Charlie Parker, the Director General for Justice and Home Affairs, Julian Blazeby, and the Chief of Police, Robin Smith.
Watch HERE. If you’d like read the statements, rather than watch click HERE.
This afternoon at 1400 it was the Corporate Services Scrutiny Panel Quarterly Public Hearing with the Chief Minister Senator John Le Fondre and the Chief Executive Charlie Parker, the Director General for Justice and Home Affairs, Julian Blazeby, plus the Assistant Minister of Treasury, Senator Ian Gorst. For technical reason, they were unable to show this live, but you can watch the full recording HERE.
Chamber of Commerce will be engaging with the Scrutiny Panel next Tuesday afternoon at 2pm.
News
Schools to remain closed until 1 May
The Education Minister has signed a Ministerial Decision to keep the majority of schools closed until Friday 1 May, except for those that are providing places to support critical workers children and some vulnerable children. Read more HERE.
Islanders urged to stay home
The Government of Jersey is urging Islands to resist the temptation to ignore Stay at Home advice during this weekend's warm weather. Read more HERE.
Planning Appeals Update from valued Chamber members Ogier
The Law Society of Jersey has issued updated guidance regarding the Court contingency plans amid COVID-19, stating that planning appeal hearings have now been suspended. New appeals will however continue to be processed without the final hearing dates being fixed at this stage, and therefore it is important that, should you wish to appeal a planning decision, you meet the usual timeframes.
The suspension will mean that Planning Appeal hearings at this stage will be stalled (as with UK inspectors they will need to wait for normal business and travel to resume) and therefore the final decision of the Minister will ultimately be delayed. This will also mean the standard turnaround time for a decision of 10 weeks from date of appeal is likely to be significantly increased. For more information please click here: Covid-19: Implications for Jersey Planning Appeals.
Digital Jersey
Digital Jersey have launched a new initiative today, offering financial support to new projects to address new local challenges. Details are in the link, and it might be something to include in your daily mail out: https://www.digital.je/connected-jersey/covid19-challenge/
Estate Agents Updates
Livingroom
If you are considering selling your property in the coming months, rest assured that the Livingroom team is still ready and waiting to make the most of your home. We have been working with our clients in a remote capacity, primarily over FaceTime, during the current situation to keep our staff and clients safe. Making use of the latest technology we’ve been able to tour homes and offer advice on improvements and what could benefit potential vendors/landlords. These are strange times, but our values haven’t changed; we put the client first through customer service and innovative use of design and technology. At Livingroom, we’re here for you.
Hunt Estates
Corona Virus has caught the whole world by surprise and everyone regardless of status is at risk. The island is facing one of its biggest challenges in recent history. We thank everyone on the front line not only the nursing staff and police etc, but those serving us in the shops and keeping our rubbish cleared, those that have been able to adapt and deliver food and medicines, we thank everyone that has pulled together to help us get through this.
Everyone is learning new ways of conducting their daily work and we are all appreciating what we have in this wonderful island. We are collectively a wonderful community and we look forward to when we can all hopefully return to our normal daily lives. Until then Hunt Estates would like to wish everyone safe passage through this pandemic.
Gaudin & Co
Within property management we have legal obligations to fulfil in respect of the new Tenancy law and Condition report law. Also, MyDespoits Jersey REQUIRE US AS Managing Agents to inspect any property upon the termination of a lease and that is causing us huge problems and has knock on effects financially for people. Whilst a lot are being extremely understanding and helpful. not all landlords can help tenants because of their own financial position and/or their banks not helping with holiday re-payments.
On top of that of course no help from Government, at the moment.
Gaudin is open for business and are here remotely to assist buyers, talk to Vendors, provide valuations and as we have done for many years, answer any Property related questions, so do follow the links to get in touch with us.
https://www.facebook.com/gaudinandco/photos/a.361594723860176/3428225310530420/?type=3&theater
https://gaudin.lifesycle.co.uk/blogs/remote-working
https://gaudin.lifesycle.co.uk/blogs/our-brand-new-tool-the-social-distance-valuation
Update from Condor Ferries CEO Paul Luxon
JT on Cybersecurity
With so many of us now working from home, it's essential to keep secure online. JT have put together this Cybersecurity Guide to 'Enabling Secure Home Working', full of useful tips to help you and your business stay safe. Read HERE.
If you need help will getting through that mountain of digital filing, Lisa Cousins provides back office support to self-employed, small, medium and large businesses struggling to get through the paperwork. Offering fully flexible services including data inputting, typing, research, presentations, proof reading, telephone services and much more, do contact Lisa: https://ljbvirtualassistant.com/
Jersey Mencap Charity Golf Day on Friday 15th May 2020 has had to be cancelled. This is bad news for a great charity that Chamber has supported throughout the year. They are looking at a 50% drop in donations and an increase on their services as a result of the pandemic.
Chamber is delighted that we have recently donated £5000 toward their work, from our Gala Dinner, from early March. If you would like to and are able to help them further, please let me know.
Food time
Watersplash - Pizza Shaka
If it’s a pizza you want Pizza Shaka will remain open during this lockdown period.
All aspects of self-distancing will be followed to ensure they protect both their staff and you.
Pizza Shaka is now open 7 days a week 1pm – 9pm for takeaway collection only.
The Pizza menu can be found on this page.
https://www.watersplashjersey.com/beach-bar-diner/watersplash-menu.aspx To order call: 01534 482885
Finally, our thanks to:
All Critical and Essential frontline services, from the supermarkets, farm shops, posties and food/drink delivery services, to the Government officers and Politicians. Our grateful thanks also to Jersey Business, Digital Jersey and Jersey Finance, together with the Jersey Hospitality Association and the IoD.
To all Chamber Members, enjoy the weekend, best you can from right where you are.
Murray
Murray Norton.
CEO, Jersey Chamber of Commerce.