13/07/2011 BBC Wales Today

Welcome to Wales Today. Tonight: Major changes that could affect the

future of education here. More than a billion pounds for school

buildings was on the cards, but the Welsh Government doesn't have

enough money. What will have to be scrapped?

And a huge shake-up of our universities. Plans to cut the

number of institutions here from ten to six. We'll talk live to the

Also tonight: The man who murdered Lynette White tells a trial of

former police officers he felt terrible three innocent men were

jailed for the crime. Smoking in cars carrying children.

Could there really be a law to ban Not long ago they were celebrating

promotion to the big time. Now, it's down to the hard work for

Good evening. The Welsh Government's national school

building programme has been sent back to the drawing board. In

December, local authorities submitted ambitious plans to make

schools fit for the 21st Century. Parents were due to learn this

month which projects would be given the go ahead. But instead, councils

will look again at plans and will be asked to contribute hundreds of

millions of pounds more towards their cost. Our education

correspondent, Ciaran Jenkins, is at the Senedd.

We are talking about the Welsh government's biggest ever school

melding programme. In some of learning about which schools will

be built, parents, pupils and teachers are learning that councils

have been asked to think again. This is Coldicott School, badly in

nerd -- in need of a completely new start. When I visited in December,

pupils told me the buildings were not up to scratch. I am sure that

if the environment was nicer, I am sure everybody would be more

engaged. It just feel like it is lacking. You go to a society and

you see all the technology that is there and you think, why hasn't my

school got that technology? And going to be going into a world that

I am not prepared for. But will pupils get the classrooms they

need? Monmouth Show submitted plans as part of the world's governments

biggest-ever school buildings programme. Now, they have been

asked to go back to the drawing board to make hard decisions and

come up with more cash. 18 out of 22 councils have told BBC Wales

what their plans would have cost. �1.3 billion for priority projects

over the next three years. Most councils plan to contribute 30 % of

costs with the large government paying the rest. Now, the Education

Minister has said that councils should pay 50 % of the costs.

Hundreds of millions of pounds more. He blames budget cuts imposed by

the UK Government. There were questions being asked as to whether

some of them would be able to reach the 30 % but we have to ask serious

questions as to whether this programme will be delivered at all.

We are very disappointed in the state Benn today. -- statement. It

is a blow for Education in Wales. It will not dip -- increase the

standards. With councils being asked to review their plans, there

is no uncertainty over which will go ahead. I am obviously

disappointed. I am not surprised. We had heard messages from the last

government that we were going to have to look again at our programme.

I am disappointed for a number of our schools but we are very keen to

continue our engagement with the last government and to discuss what

we can do with our strategic programme. It is not surprising.

We've seen huge cuts to the Welsh Assembly's capital budget and the

result is that we expected some three privatisation to occur. The

conditions of the school stock readers need modernisation. --

really does need. I think we need is in discussions with the

government to see how we go forward. It is time now for councils to make

difficult decisions. That may mean some school building projects will

be scrapped. So how many of those proposals will

be scrapped? I am joined by the Education Minister, Leighton

Andrews. Your government's school building programme is on hold

tonight. Not at all. The school building programme is carrying on.

We are saying that the programmes after 2014 may now need to come

back for more work to be done on them. Our budgets have been cut by

the Conservative-led government in Westminster. Instead of learning

which projects will be going ahead which was due this month, parents

are now finding out they will be cut back. We have a whole series of

programme under way and we need to work with our local authority

partners on what is the best way of spending the money we have.

Councils have to find an extra 20 % for each of the projects they want

to build. They can't find that money. Is it inevitable that many

of these projects will be scrapped? No. Some local authorities are very

good in the way they have been using their money. If you're going

to borrow, it makes sense to borrow when interest rates are low. I want

local-authority is to work with us to find the best way of using the

money that we have and they have. What is going on in Blaenau Gwent?

We have taken steps today. We got the report this morning and I have

put the task force in to turn things around in Blaenau Gwent. I

am taking responsibility for education away from the council.

They have one year to turn things around. The executive member for

Educational Blaenau Gwent Council has resigned. We are able to hear

what the council leader has to say. What my administration is doing now

sensitive over his right to address the problems that have been

highlighted in this report. A lot of the things we're doing is

building a new Learning Zone, 3-16 schools, a new breed -- a

Brandywell school. We are the first in Wales to federate the school

system. That was the leader of Blaenau Gwent council.

I'll talk more to the Education Minister in just a moment because

also today, he's unveiled a radical plan that would mean just two Welsh

universities would avoid merger proposals. Cardiff and Swansea

would remain as stand alone institutions, but every other

university is expected to merge with others. Jenny Rees reports.

University of Glamorgan students celebrating their graduation today.

But by 2013 Glamorgan as an independent 'brand' might be a

thing of the past, along with other institutions in Wales. The

Education Minister has given his backing to proposals by the higher

education funding body for radical changes, including several mergers.

They include a merger between the University of Glamorgan, the

University of Wales Institute Cardiff and University of Wales

Newport, and in the longer term, a merger between Aberystwyth and

Bangor. Glyndwr University in Wrexham would work to this new

super university in the north. Although, the man at the helm of

Glyndwr insisted they want to remain independent. I think the

public here once the university in Wrexham. We are close to our

community and we have a different mission to the universities. We

were set up by the government to meet ambition in this area. Cardiff

and Swansea universities would continue to exist as separate

institutions. Meanwhile, a streamlining of the University of

Wales has started today. It awards degrees at five of our universities,

but today it announced plans to merge with Swansea Metropolitan and

trinity St David in West Wales. think there is quite a lot of

support. It is true to say that even one year ago they would not

have been the support there is now. I think it has recognised the very

challenging times that education faces. It is very difficult for

small institutions to be viable. This is a process that we are

seeing all the Europe. proposals would have a huge impact

on staff and students at the universities. The minister has said

more consultation will be carried out with those affected before a

final decision is made. The Education Minister, Leighton

Andrews, is still with me. Just how radical a change would this be if

you got your way? The proposals that have been put forward are in

line with the strategy. They said last year they wanted most of Welsh

universities to be about the medium size. We have too many small

universities. We need a smaller number of strong universities.

are talking here about some universities disappearing and

changing into the universities. There has been a lot of change in

the higher education sector and the proposals that the Conservative-led

government and making in England to ratchet up tuition fees mean that

the situation will become uncertain. We want to be able to plan our

higher education system in Wales. Is it your place as Education

Minister to tell universities who they should be merging with? I am

not telling them. This is the recommendation by the Higher

Education Council for Wales. There will be dialogue between the

universities and other stakeholders and the proposals have widespread

support. It has been an ambition of the last government of the last

decade to have a smaller number of strong the universities. Will these

mergers actually happen? My own view is that once we've had the

consultation, this will probably look like the future map of

university provision in Wales and I think people will come to terms

with that. Thank you very much. At tea when the studio. -- back to you.

A convicted murderer has told a jury that he alone was guilty of

the brutal murder of Lynette White in Cardiff in 1988. Jeffrey Gafoor

is a prosecution witness in a Swansea trial of eight ex-police

officers accused of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

Gafoor said he felt "terrible" that three innocent men were jailed for

the murder. Matt Murray was in court.

For 15 years, Jeffrey Gafoor got away with murder. Lynette White was

working as a prostitute in this area of Cardiff and Jeffrey Gafoor

was a client. A new investigation was launched using the latest

scientific techniques and the trial led to Jeffrey Gafoor. Police

arrested him in 2003 when he was employed as a security guard. He

confessed to killing Lynette White in 1988 after an argument over �30.

Jeffrey Gafoor took to the witness box and told the jury having met

Lynette White back in February 1988, he said once inside the flat he

changed his mind and demanded his money back. She refused. At this

point, he pulled a knife and threatened her. A scuffle then

broke out between the two which resulted in Lynette White being

stabbed. He told the jury he can't remember how many times he stabbed

Lynette White. He said his memory of the event is fuzzy. It almost

seemed like a dream. But in Court today, Gafoor was

adamant that he carried out the killing alone. In 1990, three men,

Steven Miller, Yusaf Abdullahi and Tony Paris, were convicted of the

murder but released two years later on appeal. The prosecution claim

that the former police officers on trial manufactured evidence that

led to the convictions of the men who were known as the Cardiff Three.

Jeffrey Gafoor told the court he had put me out of his mind but he

now feels terrible of the conviction of the Cardiff Three. He

said, their problems stemmed from my actions. He also told the court

he knew they were completely ever did -- innocent because I am the

one who killed Lynette White. All of the officers deny conspiring to

pervert the course of justice. Still to come tonight. The

countdown to the Premier League begins for Swansea's fans and their

First came the ban on smoking in public places but now the Welsh

government has said it is looking at the possibility of banning

smoking in cars carrying children. At this stage, it is just a

possibility but if the campaigns about the dangers of smoking don't

hit home, then changing the law could be the next step.

Mark Smith is a dad who's had a 12- year-old daughter and he's a busy

parent and says his car is one of the few places he can enjoy a

cigarette. He admits to lighting up while his child is in the back seat.

I have to admit that they have but I've had all the windows down. It

is not something I would recommend other people to do but it is the

last place left that I've got as well. The First Minister wants

drivers to change their behaviour. Today, Carwyn Jones said he was

prepared to make Wales the first European country to ban smoking in

cars carrying children. But before that, the Welsh government will

embark on a three-year campaign to alert adults to the harm second-

hand smoke has on youngsters. It is a campaign that has not been set at

it. We are pleased the Government is committed to this. We want to

see how far the public is picking it up in order to provide evidence

before we need to legislate. smoking ban was introduced in 2007

and it affected all public buildings. Pubs, offices and

restaurants across the country are now smoke-free but the Health

Minister is keen to do more. think it is the next logical step.

Children cannot protect themselves. That is why you want to change mind

sets and hopefully, some of them will stop smoking altogether.

for smokers like Mark Smith, it is a step too far. I think it is a bit

of a nanny state. Parenting is a natural instinctive thing to do.

Your first instinct is to protect the child. I don't think people

will drive around with the windows wound up and the car full of smoke.

We may have got used to the smoking ban but came into force for

marketable but would people be so accepting of restrictions in cars?

The next stage is to start the public awareness campaign but it

has not been thought through or costed. The prospect of police are

pulling people over for smoking in Unemployment in Wales dropped by

9,000 in the three months to May. It means 115,000 people were

looking for work between March and May. 16,000 lower than during the

same period last year. Parishioners have taken what they

Parishioners have taken what they describe as a peaceful protest to

the doorstep of the Archbishop of Wales this evening in a bid to

reopen their church. Maerdy residents have been holding a

sleep-in protest at All Saints Church in the Rhondda since it

closed over a week ago. The archbishop, Barry Morgan, says

he'll meet with the body that voted North Wales Police say a teenager,

who was being questioned over allegations that computers were

hacked at a Colwyn Bay secondary school, has now been released. An

investigation was launched at Eirias High School in Colwyn Bay in

March into whether computer records of pupils had been stolen. It

followed claims posted on the internet by someone claiming to be

a pupil and having accessed the records.

Plans for a permanent airship 100 feet above Cardiff Bay have been

approved by the city's council. The skyflier balloon will take people

400 feet up on rides lasting 15 minutes. It was due to be based in

Mermaid Quay, but will now be positioned on the Penarth end of

the Cardiff Barrage. It's hoped the blimp will attract tourists to the

city. But people living nearby are disappointed with today's decision.

With the visual intrusion, the traffic and parking issues, there

is a terrible pressure on parking around there anywhere. This is,

they reckon, will bring in 15,000 visitors a year. I would dispute

that number but whatever, it's going to be a lot of people are

adding to the problems. Sport now and Bangor City are

playing in European football's biggest competition for the first

time. They are up against Finnish side HJK Helsinki in the Champions

League Second Qualifying Round. With 20 minutes on the clock,

Helsinki art 1-0 up. Swansea City have confirmed Wales

international Neil Taylor is close to signing a new contract after

rejecting a move to Newcastle United. The manager Brendan Rodgers

has been setting out his plans for their first season in the world's

most lucrative football league. Here's Tomos Dafydd.

A team photo with a difference. Thousands of fans joined players

and coaches for the biggest team photo this club has ever seen. A

some haven't stopped celebrating since achieving promotion back in

May, because since winning that play-off final, focus on the

players has grown day-by-day. They will soon play in the most watched

league in the world with a global audience of 600 million households

in more than 200 countries and, at today's news conference, television

crews from Japan, interested in the Premier League's newest team.

are very excited about the season ahead and obviously the players are

looking very fit and well. It's nice. It's been great. No matter

who we play, it's going to be very, very competitive and every game

will be a cup final for us. Every game will be tough. There was also

news of unease Taylor -- Neil Taylor, about to sign a new four-

year deal at Swansea. His future has been as fierce as his tackles.

He was seemingly heading to Newcastle with a player asking the

Premier League to arbitrate over his transfer, but it seems he's

about to commit his future to Swansea City. Martin Bell and it

could also return to the liberty stadium after spending time on loan

here this season. Both clubs have been negotiating a permanent deal

in time for their first game away at Manchester City. Obviously, a

massive test, one of the toughest games we will get the season, but I

think it's almost a good thing for Swansea to travel away on the first

day of the season against such good opposition. It's a test of what is

to come in the season and we have to make sure we are ready for it.

The manager has no doubt it will be a tough season but the fans are

just enjoying their moment in football's big time.

Yes, an exciting time for the fans. Former Cardiff City striker Jay

Bothroyd has joined Queens Park Rangers on a three year deal. The

29 year old who made his England debut last season was a free agent

after three years with the Bluebirds.

Wales rugby coach Warren Gatland has trimmed his pre-World Cup

training squad. BBC Wales understands Andy Powell, Ospreys'

Jonathan Thomas and Blues scrum half Richie Rees have missed the

cut. Stephen Jones returns to the squad after the birth of his first

child and will travel to Poland for training.

Geraint Thomas has moved up one place to 31st after the 11th stage

of the Tour de France. The cyclist from Cardiff led the peloton before

Mark Cavendish eventually won the stage. A frustrating day for

Glamorgan on day three of their County Championship game at Derby.

At one stage they reduce the home side to a 22-four, but it did not

last. Derby now stand at 380-eight, 295 runs ahead.

Well, let's get the weather forecast now. Derek is here. Hello.

We could probably do with a little It has been beautiful in the north

and west, with lots of sunshine. Also ideal weather for a walk in

Snowdonia. There's more find it warm and sunny weather to come

tomorrow but make the most of it. There's a big change on the way

later in the week and the weekend. If you're in Swansea this evening

you can watch Cinderella live from the Royal Opera House on the Big

Screen. A dry evening in Swansea. The dry weather continues tonight.

The cloud will disappear so clear skies. Mist patches by dawn and

cooling down. Temperatures as low as 6-7 Celsius, 43 Fahrenheit. 8-11

Celsius on the coast. Tomorrow's chart shows a ridge of high

pressure over Britain but a low between Canada and Greenland is

heading our way spoiling things for the weekend. That's to come.

Tomorrow morning a beautiful start to the day. Fine and dry. The whole

country enjoying clear, blue, skies and sunshine. A beautiful start to

the day. Also in to come are theshire. 13 degrees in

Carmarthenshire. 99% of the country staying dry. Or warmer than today.

22 Celsius. A little bit cooler on the coast with sea breezes. Don't

forget the suncream and the pollen count will be high as well. In

Blaina Gwent tomorrow a lovely day. Dry and sunnier than today.

Temperatures in Tredegar rising to 19 Celsius. Some tide times. The

sea temperature 14 or 15 C. There is a fancy dress party at Manor

Park tomorrow. Friday will turn cloudy and damp and it's looking

inclement for the weekend. Low- pressure bringing rain and heavy

showers and blustery winds. It's looking very changeable next week

for the Royal Welsh Show. Our picture tonight is from Clive.

Sunset from Abergele. Red sky at After days of intense pressure over

phone hacking and corruption allegations, Rupert Murdoch made a

dramatic U-turn this afternoon with during his bid to take control of

the broadcaster BSkyB. The announcement from News Corporation

came as MPs prepared to debate a Labour motion in the Commons on the

deal and, as the Prime Minister announced a wide-ranging inquiry

into the scandal. This is a victory for people up and down this country

who have been appalled by the revelations about phone hacking.

Who have bought it is beyond belief that Rupert Murdoch could, when

this criminal investigation is going on, expand his stake in the

British media. There's been no significant day for Education in

Wales. The Welsh government national school building programme

has been sent back to the drawing board and a radical plan has been

unveiled which will mean just two Welsh universities would escape

being merged with others. Let's go back to our education Correspondent

for the last word on this. Disappointment then at the 21st

century schools project not going ahead as planned? Lucy, this has

been a major day for Education in Wales. The Welsh government school

building programme, its biggest ever, effectively put on hold and

there will be disappointment as parents and pupils learn which of

these projects may be scrapped. Councils have to find hundreds of

millions of pounds more money if these projects are to go ahead. We

have also learned today but the education services have been put

into special measures by the school inspectorate. We also learned Port

Talbot council will be put in charge of councils in -- schools in

Gwent. In terms of universities, a radical new plan will transform

universities and Wales. Some universities may disappear

altogether. School leavers, university leavers, and the

education minister himself have a lot of homework to do. Kieran,

thank you very much indeed. And a reminder if you have got a story

you think we should cover let us know. We would love to hear from