Latest news with #States-owned
BBC News
03-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Andium CEO: 'More optimism' for young homeowners
The new person at the helm of Jersey's main social housing provider wants more young islanders to be confident about owning their own homes in the Wood has been in post as chief executive of the States-owned Andium Homes for just over a week. Speaking to the BBC, she said there were "many more opportunities to buy now in the public sector".She said some young people may be unaware of what's on offer which sees them turn to the UK, and that she wants to change that. 'More optimism' Ms Wood was speaking at a development site on the Grande Route de St Jean, next to the Sion Methodist Church, where 37 affordable homes are currently being built. She said there's never been a better time to access social housing as the criteria has widened."There will be several hundred opportunities to buy our homes on the Andium Home Buy scheme over the next few years", she said."When people buy these homes, they buy the home outright but they pay for 70 or 75 per cent of the property. The other element is deferred until the property is sold and they don't need to pay a deposit to own that first home as well. "So we're providing affordable opportunities for first time buyers that way."Buyers don't need a deposit to purchase through the scheme, but they are required to pay legal fees and other costs. Homes ranging from one-bedroom flats to four-bedroom houses are all eligible. Ms Wood also spoke about wanting to change how people view social housing, saying that while it provides an important safety net, its also "much more than that".She said: "Social housing is much broader in Jersey, and there's lots of opportunities for people to rent and for first time buyers."For young people generally I think there's an opportunity for people to have more optimism that they can stay on the island... perhaps they feel the Jersey property market is out of reach and they're considering going to the UK or elsewhere. "We want to let them know what the opportunities are here for them to stay on the island and make their own life and raise their own family." 'Strength to strength' Ms Wood has worked for Andium since it's creation, and she said she's taking up her new role at a time when the company is in "really good shape"."I've seen it [Andium] go from strength to strength. We've brought all the homes up to the decent homes standard, so they all meet the maintenance requirements. We've delivered 1,100 new homes and we've completed a major refurbishment of over 500 homes" she said.
BBC News
10-04-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Guernsey taxpayers 'not expected' to fund Aurigny's 2024 losses
Guernsey taxpayers have been reassured it is unlikely they will have to foot the bill for the losses Aurigny incurred in level of loss last year has not been released publicly but some politicians suggested in the States Assembly that it could run to between £6m and £ company, States-owned since 2003, was recapitalised by the island's government in 2015 and 2021. It made profit in 2022 and Peter Roffey, President of the States Trading Supervisory Board, said: "We do not expect to be approaching the assembly for any further capital injection as a result of any losses that were made last year." He said: "We expect Aurigny to be able to trade their way out of that and so the last injection of money from the tax payer remains at 2021."Facing questions in the States meeting, Roffey said the issues faced by Aurigny were not due to the company selling its Embraer jet in 2024 and things may have been worse if that had not been the total of the losses, he said: "I have not seen any actuarial figure yet... but I know it will run into several million pounds."
BBC News
09-04-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Airline Aurigny's call centre moved from in-house to Fiji
Guernsey airline Aurigny has moved its call centre to Fiji, it has States-owned carrier said specialist airline call centre company MindPearl had been operating on the airline's behalf since said changing its call response team from in-house to the Fijian company was working to "improve the quality of service" and reduced costs which would "keep air fares lower for islanders".An Aurigny spokesperson added that its in-house call response staff had been moved into other areas of the firm's customer service facilities. Aurigny's acting customer experience head Clive Action said since the call centre had been moved there had been a 90% reduction in call waiting said: "We understand our community values hearing a familiar voice on the end of the line. "However, we also know that what matters most in those moments is getting through to someone who can help as quickly as possible."It's a change that allows us to serve islanders here at home better."
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Stagecoach takes over island's bus services
UK-based bus operator Stagecoach has taken over the running of Guernsey's bus services. The firm in September 2024 secured a five-year tender to take over from previous island operator CT Plus. Environment and Infrastructure Committee Vice-President Deputy Adrian Gabriel said he was expecting a "smooth transition" in the coming weeks with new buses also in the pipeline. He said there was "strength in using a national provider" with experience operating in rural communities "similar to that of Guernsey". Stagecoach will take on most of the staff from CT Plus, which had run the service since 2012. Gabriel said there would be no change to the livery of the existing buses, and talks were being finalised to bring a number of new States-owned buses. Two Stagecoach-branded buses will also join the fleet from this week to ensure services run at capacity. A new website, Facebook page and app had previously been announced. Stagecoach is set to run the service for the next five years, after which it can opt to continue for a further two years. Where recruiting drivers has been in issue in the past, Gabriel said he was confident Stagecoach had the experience to address any future staffing challenges. "They have drivers and contingency measures in the UK to draw on," he said. The States said there would be no immediate changes to bus routes or fares as part of the new contract. Any credit or time remaining on existing Puffinpasses will also be carried forward to use on the new services. Follow BBC Guernsey on X and Facebook. Send your story ideas to New website for buses when operator changes Guernsey bus prices rise by up to 15% States of Guernsey Stagecoach
BBC News
01-04-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Stagecoach takes over running of Guernsey's bus services
UK-based bus operator Stagecoach has taken over the running of Guernsey's bus services. The firm in September 2024 secured a five-year tender to take over from previous island operator CT and Infrastructure Committee Vice-President Deputy Adrian Gabriel said he was expecting a "smooth transition" in the coming weeks with new buses also in the said there was "strength in using a national provider" with experience operating in rural communities "similar to that of Guernsey". New buses Stagecoach will take on most of the staff from CT Plus, which had run the service since said there would be no change to the livery of the existing buses, and talks were being finalised to bring a number of new States-owned Stagecoach-branded buses will also join the fleet from this week to ensure services run at capacity.A new website, Facebook page and app had previously been is set to run the service for the next five years, after which it can opt to continue for a further two years. 'Contingency measures' Where recruiting drivers has been in issue in the past, Gabriel said he was confident Stagecoach had the experience to address any future staffing challenges. "They have drivers and contingency measures in the UK to draw on," he States said there would be no immediate changes to bus routes or fares as part of the new credit or time remaining on existing Puffinpasses will also be carried forward to use on the new services.
