14/02/2014 BBC Wales Today

to British coastlines, with winds of up to 80 mph. That's all from

Welcome to Wales Today. Our top story: The storm takes its toll as

engineers battle appalling conditions to restore power to

thousands of homes. A man has died in hospital after being hit by a

falling tree. The weather has been horrendous. It

is the worst I've ever known it and conditions are awful. We have been

working 18 hour days and we are trying our best to get customers

back on. 9,000 customers are still without

power - tonight its heavy rain and gale force winds that are cause for

concern. Our other headlines: Parents of

pupils who's teacher admitted filming children using a toilet

elsewhere seek legal advice. The leader of the Welsh

Conservatives faces a growing crisis over his leadership.

These men spent years in prison for a crime they didn't commit - when

will police publish their report into what went wrong?

And the largest fire on Borth Peat Bog for 20 years. Fire crews spend

hours trying to control the flames. I think we have had just about

everything. We have had the fire, the float and the pestilence as we

only got our electric back last night.

Good evening. The storm has claimed the life of an elderly man. Bob

Thomas was 77. He died after being hit by a falling tree in his garden

near Caernarfon. Tonight the Met office has issued a yellow "be

aware" warning for heavy rain and wind overnight and into tomorrow.

ScottishPower which supplies customers in north and mid Wales say

a further four thousand properties lost power today. That's on top of

the 8,7000 homes still without electricity as a result of

Wednesday's storm. And on it goes. Moore wins today,

rain and some snow and news of a death caused by Wednesday's storm.

77-year-old Bob Thomas was hurt when a tree fell on him in the garden of

his home in Caeathro. He died in hospital where he was being treated

for head injuries. It is very sad fact at the height of

the storm on Wednesday, he was thinking of his animals and making

sure the chickens were safe. That is when the accident happened. By

comparison, the problems other of us face pale away but they are problems

nonetheless. We caught up with a crew of power

workers, and trying to reconnect communities.

This team has been working virtually around the clock, finishing at 1am

and starting again at 7am. Who knows what problems the new storm will

bring. The work isn't easy and seems never-ending. The weather has been

horrendous. It is the worst I've ever known it

and the conditions are awful. We have been working 18 hour days and

are doing our best to get customers back on.

Hastie refers to a roof elsewhere and at the fire station they have a

generator, but most are having to manage without any power. In the

village shop they are using a gas lamp and torches.

We have coped for a couple of days but now it is getting a little bit

worse. We have a coal fire and I've just bought a gas fire for the

kitchen this morning so then we will be OK. I sympathise with the elderly

in the village because they have no gas or electric at all and without

that, they can't cook their food. And it is concerned for an elderly

neighbour which is bringing this woman out with an owner of hot water

for tea and coffee. Yesterday she had no heating and was

snuggled up on the chair, covered in blankets. It was 12 degrees in her

house yesterday. The electricity here went on

Wednesday and more of it lost power in today's storm. Road and rail

journeys remain disruptive. Many people are choosing not to travel.

And so the bad weather continues. This is the River Wye at Monmouth.

And a review into storm damage in January and December has found that

less than 1% of properties here actually flooded. Natural Resources

Wales says most defences held - but repair work is now needed at many of

them. Our environment correspondent Iolo ap Dafydd has been reading the

report. This is the first assessment of the

storm damage on coastal defences so far. What are the main findings?

Here it is. It concentrates on December and January, not the last

two weeks. And in terms of the Welsh government

publishing this today, it shows that 305 properties were floated in North

Wales before Christmas as well as last month in coastal areas and that

has taken a positive outlook because that is less than 1% of the at risk

properties. That means it was 99% successful in terms of defending

other properties. If we look at the coastal defences which were damaged,

175 in total, December and January, and the repair cost for that to

reinstate these defences is ?8.1 million. It is not just properties,

it is also farmland, roads, railways and the Wales coast path has 70

locations and a repair cost of ?340 -- ?340,000. This needs to be

completed as soon as possible and it could be a lot worse. The defences

did stop the worst of the weather in taxing a lot of the poor but some of

them were damaged and they do need to be repaired.

If we look to the future and the impact of climate change, we can

expect this kind of extreme weather again so it is important investment

continues in those defences and we do our best. What about the cost of

investment and repair in future? Just over ?8 million to repair what

has already been damaged in two months.

The clean-up cost is extra. The Welsh government announced an extra

?1 million today to add to the ?3.5 million which has already been

pledged in the last nine weeks. There is a shortfall, it is half of

what that role resources Wales are suggesting should be spent and in

future we understand they will be speaking to the government to see if

there are EU structural funds to help reinstate these defences.

This doesn't include the last two weeks of nightmarish weather,

doesn't? This is only for January and

December and doesn't include the last two weeks. There will be a

second phase in April which will look at lessons learnt and what

needs to be structurally looked after and possibly which communities

cannot be looked at, cannot be defended in future.

Parents of pupils at a secondary school in Cardiff are consulting

solicitors after children were allegedly secretly filmed at the

school. It follows guilty pleas for voyeurism by the deputy headteacher

at Ysgol Glantaf last month involving a hidden camera at another

location. Further investigations lead dectectives to the school and

that's now prompted some parents to seek legal advice. Nick Palit

reports. On the 31st of January, 47-year-old

Gareth Williams appeared at Cardiff Magistrates Court on three charges

of voyeurism. That involved a camera hidden in a toilet. Acting on

information police recovered the camera and memory sticks with files

of five children. The Welsh-medium deputy head pleaded guilty to

recording to another person without their consent for the purpose of

sexual gratification. But those charges did not relate to any

offences at the school where he taught. Since then police have

widened their investigation to include Ysgol Glantaf. Sources have

told BBC Wales that teachers, parents and pupils have been spoken

to by police about alleged secret filming at the school. Now some

worried parents have been seeking legal advice.

If it is found that children have been filmed on school premises, in

the toilets, then there is undoubtedly a claim for their

children by their parents as a breach of privacy. And the nature of

the breach is obviously extremely serious.

Last week the headteacher here wrote to parents of the 1,500 pupils to

inform them that police officers had been given full access to the school

to carry out their investigations. He also acknowledged that the

situation was extremely concerning for everyone involved with the

school. Meanwhile Mr Williams has been suspended from his post here

and is due to appear before Cardiff Crown Court on the 21st of this

month for sentencing. The Chief Executive of

Carmarthenshire Council has tonight stepped down from his post amid a

police investigation into payments he received. The issue also brought

together councillors in Pembrokeshire today, many of whom

were left disappointed as attempts to discuss the position of their

Chief Executive failed. Let's speak to Cemlyn Davies who is in

Haverfordwest. I know you are in Pembrokeshire but

let's start in Carmarthen and what happened there today.

Yes. The cheese executive -- the Chief Executive has been under

pressure since those reports were published before now to go and they

concluded that the decision to allow Mark James to receive direct

payments in lieu of pension contributions for tax reasons was

unlawful and so was the decision to cover his legal cost as he pursues a

libel claim. Police investigations are underway and tonight we heard

that Mark James has stepped aside. The leader of Carmarthenshire

Council said that decision was reached by mutual agreement that

meanwhile he says he was absolutely certain that neither he or any of

his officers has done anything wrong but it was only right and proper

that he should not be in the office whilst the police conclude their

enquiries. That is Carmarthenshire. In Pembrokeshire an extra week

meeting taking place today -- and extraordinary meeting.

Yes. They were discussing a similar report from the auditors which found

an opt out pension scheme was unlawful.

It was the senior officer and Chief Executive who had been using that

opt out scheme. The council is here voted in favour of a motion to scrap

that policy but then there was this extraordinary twist because when it

came to a debate to discuss the future of the Chief Executive the

Council barrister read out a number of newspaper quotes are committed to

local councillors about the Chief Executive and he advised those

councillors that they shouldn't take part in the debate, saying their

minds had already been made up for hearing any argument. With that, 20

councillors walked out and the motion was withdrawn. That provoked

a ferocious response from opposition councillors. It's incredible what

has happened here today and I really hope people watching understand just

what lengths these guys are willing to go to to protect their own.

They are interested in protecting themselves.

It is about the perception of taking decisions and the assurance that you

have not predetermined that positions. That led to quite a

number, slightly naively, I thought, having to leave the chamber for

comments they had made to the press and public.

Those police investigations are continuing in Carmarthenshire and

here in Pembrokeshire, where it seems there will be some time yet

before the storm clouds clear. The leader of the Welsh

Conservatives faces a growing crisis over his leadership tonight. The

Management Board of the Welsh Conservatives have been holding

emergency talks, to discuss the controversial sacking of four Tory

Assembly Members. They were removed from the front bench by the Welsh

leader, Andrew RT Davies. Our Welsh Affairs Editor, Vaughan Roderick, is

in Cardiff Bay. Guess it is fair to say that Lord is not happy with

what's been going on with the leader? That's putting it mildly.

We spoke to multiple senior sources within the Welsh Conservatives and

the same phrases came up. Zero support for Andrew RT Davies. He

faced 100% universal criticism. This is the senior board, the people who

run the party in Wales and they are deeply angry with the way he has

behaved. Can he actually do anything? They

can't do anything about getting rid of Andrew RT Davies because he was

elected by members but as a member of the dash as a measure of the

anger, the control the selection process and they want members of the

board to stop him even being a candidate at the next Assembly

election. A Shadow member could be on the way

to the backbenches? We've been told that one member of the Shadow

Cabinet is considering resigning. He didn't vote on Tuesday but he is

considering his position. This story is all based on bizarre, anonymous

quotes, says some sources. I know where the quotes come from and if

Andrew RT Davies's office knew where they had been coming from, they

would be very concerned indeed. Much more to come before seven

o'clock. Cardiff City say they're still up for the FA Cup, despite

their relegation scrap. We'll preview the fifth round ties.

And after another storm batters the country is there an end in sight? A

full weekend weather forecast. Three men wrongly jailed for ten

years for a crime they didn't commit and tonight questions for South

Wales Police taking too long to publish the report into the way it

carried out a murder inquiry. An investigation into claims evidence

was fabricated in the Phillip Saunders murder case was launched

four years ago. Paul Martin reports. Philip Saunders was robbed and

killed in 1987 after he arrived home with his debut as macro takings.

Three young men, Darren Hall, Ellis Sherwood and Michael O'Brien were

wrongly convicted of his murder. They were released after an

investigation. We want answers. In response to Michael O'Brien's

allegation that evidence was fabricated, the independent piece

contains commission set up operation resolute -- police complaints

commission. None of its findings have been made

public and in this case it is the police who control publication. If

they do this, I think that would be closure for me and I'm going to move

on. I don't want people thinking I'm

this evil person who would kill someone because that is not me. In

the yearling process -- in the healing process, reconciliation is

important. In October, BBC Wales asked to see a report of the draft

report but on Monday come South Wales Police told us we couldn't

have won because although there was a public interest in giving it to

us, that was outweighed by other factors such as the risk of it are

undermining efforts to find the killer of Philip Saunders.

The police said last night that once the report was finalised it intends

to publish it. The chief told us that he plans to publish the report

in as much detail as possible. How long will this take?

It has taken nearly four years already. How deeply redacted will it

be? I seen documents in this place redacted to a ridiculous extent. If

they are redacted beyond common sense, that is no disclosure

whatsoever. As soon as the report has been

submitted to the Independent Police Complaints Commission and they have

made a comment on it, which has to be the process, everything that can

be published will be published. South Wales Police told us a date

for that publication is yet to be determined.

It's been described as the largest fire on Borth Bog for more than 20

years. Fire crews spent hours trying to control the flames, which were

burning close to the village near Aberystwyth. Our mid Wales reporter

Charlotte Dubenskij has the story. Fire swept across this part of the

national nature reserve for a number of hours earlier today. That will be

sources Wales which manages the area says it is the largest fire on Borth

Bog for more than 20 years. Thick smoke was blown across the railway

tracks, covering homes and businesses. The fire that was

burning furiously this morning has died down but at its peak the flames

were several feet high and residents say they were concerned for their

properties. I was on my laptop, seeing if any of

the schools were open and I saw a picture of the fire. I opened my

curtain and there it was. It keeps dying down but there is

such a strong wind it is whipping up the flames again. It is getting

close to the caravan park. These pictures show the X dent of the fire

and helpless it was to some homes. The fire consumed an area around the

size of a rugby pitch. Natural Resources Wales says damage is

minimal. It hasn't damaged the peat below. Borth Bog Is one of the most

extensive and relatively undamaged peat bogs in Britain.

It can be used as a management process but uncontrolled burning can

have disastrous effects because you are not controlling it and it can

burn all types of vegetation and destroy some of the mosses that are

completely key for a viable and healthy peatland. The fire has been

put out but it is not known what caused it.

Should Wales get its own edition of Newsnight? A campaign group says a

Welsh version would give viewers the chance to see politicians

interviewed in depth about policies that are decided in the National

Assembly. David Cornock reports. It is the TV studio where government

ministers fear to tread. I'm not asking for a running commentary, I'm

asking for a statement of facts about when you are told.

This is where Jeremy Paxman and the Newsnight presenters interrogate

politicians in programmes seen across the United Kingdom but if you

live in Scotland, something else cabins. He was in Scotland have

their own 20 minute version. Now campaigners want a Newsnight Wales

in English and Welsh. Maybe not everybody watches Newsnight Scotland

but those stories that are discussed are discussed then in social media

and filter down to the press so we feel that holding our politicians to

account through social programmes is very important.

A Welsh Newsnight opt out was launched in 1999 with some youthful

looking reporters. The programme was dropped two years later. Many may be

even tighter now but some politicians say it's time to try

again. The funding the BBC has could be

moved differently, making space in the Newsnight slot.

The BBC licence fee has been frozen until 2017. It says the approach to

this challenge is to prioritise outputs during peak hours, when more

people are watching and listening. Nobody from the BBC was available

for interview but in a statement it said:

So our viewers really missing out? Would anyone watch a programme about

Welsh politics at 11pm? You would have to say it is unlikely that BBC

Wales is going to want to put the kind of resources into producing a

Welsh Newsnight. It is hard to see that happening. My

guess is that they are already stretched and they would like to see

resources bolstering their existing programming.

Newsnight can be campaigners say it is an idea whose time has come but

Newsnight Scotland is being replaced by a new programme in the run-up to

the independence referendum in September.

Football. Both Cardiff and Swansea say they're delighted to still be in

the FA Cup, even though they're involved in a scrap to avoid

relegation from the Premier League. Cardiff host Cup holders Wigan

Athletic in the fifth round tomorrow, while new Swansea boss

Garry Monk will face one of his managerial mentors - as they travel

to Everton on Sunday. Here's Ashleigh Crowter.

Some managers say the cut is no longer important but not Ole Gunner

Solskjaer. He won it as a player and would love Cardiff to do the same.

Tomorrow they face Wigan athletic who lifted the cup last season in

the days after getting relegated from the Premier League. That is a

fate Cardiff are desperate to avoid and their manager thinks that

advancing could help their chances of staying up. The chance to build

momentum and a chance for guys to play more Games, get match fit,

because there is still another week until the next game.

It is a chance for clubs like Wigan and Cardiff to win a trophy. Five

seasons ago, Garry Monk and Roberto Martinez sat side-by-side but on

Sunday they will be an opposite dugouts as the Swans travel to

Everton. He was my captain when I first came

here so I got to form a really good bond with him and we all did as

players. He was a fantastic leader and then he came back as manager,

which was a good experience in itself and we all heard about the

fact he is a promising manager so I know how good he is.

Newport County, who have suffered a spate of home postponements, will

renew their challenge at Hartlepool but the right weather has already

claimed Wrexham's conference hatch at Braintree.

The all-important weather forecast. It has been a wet and windy

Valentine's Day across Wales. A Met Office warning for heavy rain

remains in place. We have also seen some snow in the hills and part of

Ceredigion. This picture has been sent in, very windy but not as

severe as Wednesday with gusts of 70 mph. The chart shows this latest

area of low pressure, the third in a week, clearing north-east with

across the UK so that band of rain continuing. Remaining very windy and

reaching gale force a long exposed coasts with temperatures between

five and seven Celsius. Blustery showers tomorrow through the morning

but not quite as windy today, turning drier and brighter through

the afternoon. Feeling chilly as the wind turns north-westerly and highs

of six Celsius in Wrexham. A brief ridge of high pressure building on

Saturday into Sunday so more settled on Sunday before this next front

arrives. It try and break today that it will cloud over from the West

later on. The next weather system moving in, bringing rain from the

West. After a dry day, further wet and windy weather Sunday night into

Monday morning. Next week the jet stream which has been pushing the

storms across the Atlantic starts to move northwards so we will see

storms easing and it will be less windy and we will see some dry

spells. Message left extreme -- much less extreme weather next week.

The headlines from the BBC: The recent storm has claimed the life of

an elderly man near Caernarfon. Bob Thomas, who was 77, died after being

hit by a falling tree in his garden. Tonight, the Met office has issued a

yellow "be aware" warning for heavy rain and wind.

I'll have an update for you here at 8:00pm and after the BBC News at

Ten. That's Wales Today. Thank you for watching, have a great weekend.

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