THE Dean of Jersey, the Very Revd Bob Key, has said that he is "delighted" with new arrangements for oversight of the Channel Islands, which transfer several areas to the diocese of Canterbury.

In a letter sent on 5 January, the Bishop of Dover, the Rt Revd Trevor Wilmott, and the Bishop of Winchester, the Rt Revd Tim Dakin, told Dean Key and the Vice-Deans of Guernsey that interim arrangements had been agreed, and came into force from 1 January.

Finance, ministry, and training, and safeguarding, will be the responsibility of the diocese of Canterbury. The Winchester Registry will continue to act on "all legal matters as they refer to the islands, e.g. the provision of licences".

"I was delighted to see that all Jersey and Guernsey links with the family of the Church of England will be through the Bishop of Dover, with whom I am working very closely and very well," Dean Key said on Monday.

"It is always sad to see 500 years of history come to an end, but new relationships beckon."