24/11/2015 BBC Wales Today

Tonight, the Welsh Government sets out plans for mergers.

Our proposals mean they will be fewer cabinet members and leaders

and check -- -- chief executives and they will be savings as a result.

But will you be happy to see your council disappear?

Welsh rugby players make up a third of all British athletes

The community council accused of intransigence for only

Find out what left these two sports instructors lost for words.

We never dreamt anything like this would happen to us. And an appeal

goes out to save the 300 years old bells at this Wrexham church.

Taxpayers will save ?650 million over ten years

That's the claim made by the Welsh Government today, as it

confirmed it wants to cut the number of councils here from 22 to eight.

But for the mergers to go ahead, Labour will have to stay in power

after the next Assembly election and get support from parties

Here's our political correspondent, Daniel Davies.

Ken Arthur is famous Fritz falls, it's cheese and the those who love

maps from us being in three counties at once. The town is in

Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion is on the other side of the river and

downstream is Pembrokeshire. Before the last organisation all these

counties were on. If the Labour Welsh Government has its way we

could be heading back there. And it is on the scrap wales': 22

councils. Eight authorities would be created. It's not 1 million miles

away from the councils that existed 20 years ago. They haven't decided

whether to merge Conwy and Denbighshire creating a third

counselling North Wales and nine in total. We know that we have 22

authorities, some of them very small at the moment. They are not

delivering in terms of quality. We also know that is a cost of the

current system and there is potential for substantial savings as

we move forward with our proposals. Not everyone is enthusiastic. Here

in Newport the Labour leader of the council said he was horrified the

Welsh Government was pushing ahead without meaningful consultation. He

said this merger would leave the city short-changed. But ministers

say their plans would save money. The merger would cost up to ?246

million but that will pay for itself into three years. They will be fewer

councillors than the current 12,050 and they will be fewer people

working in admin for local councils. There are 9000 now and that could

fall to just over 7000. We need to reorganise local government due to

the current context, not just financial but also the need for us

to work across a broad range of areas to improve a lot of Wales.

That hasn't changed my opinion. Not far from here in Newcastle Emlyn how

do they feel about the return of dev"? All the services will be the

same and they get value for money I don't see the problem. It makes

sense to get to -- rid of two councils. Labour still has a long

way to go to convince some of its own. Here in Newport this shopping

centre has just opened but the council leader says if the city were

part of Gwent face-lifts like this would be more difficult to achieve.

Just one headache for whoever tries to push forward with these plans

after next made's collection. Our Political Editor, Nick Servini,

is at the Senedd. So lots more details today about how

it could work in practice, but we're still no nearer this actually

getting off the ground are we? That's right. We have been talking

about local governor reorganisation of the two years and it has been a

story of Labour failing to get support from its political

opponents. At least by coming out with a detailed plan that is ready

to go they will at least show to their doubters that the party is

deadly serious about carrying this out. It will all come down to the

electoral maths here after the assembly election in May next year.

In terms of the Conservatives, they are miles away from Labour in terms

of what they want from council change. Interesting tonight, Simon

Thomas the Plaid Cymru Assembly Member quite conciliar tree in the

chamber talking about elements of this new draft legislation would

discussing and worth consulting on. Plaid Cymru and Labour want the same

thing. They believe local governor done local decisions should be made

by bigger organisations. Plaid Cymru are talking about existing councils

collaborating, Labour want to restructure the entire picture but

the principle is the same. If there is going to be a deal done on this

the only game in town now and likely to be in the future is one between

Labour and Plaid Cymru. A BBC Wales investigation has found

Welsh rugby players from grass roots to semi-pro level

make up a third of all British A former player, who at one point

played at semi-professional level, has admitted taking steroids,

but never got caught. He also said the use

of anabolic steroids Our reporter Tomos Morgan has

the story. Athletes across the sporting world

have been at the centre of intense media speculation recently with a

growing number of sportsmen and women accused and charged with

doping offences. Now there is evidence to suggest that the worst

offenders are rugby players. I started playing rugby a schoolboy

level. One player who played at semiprofessional level told us he

took steroids while playing rugby. I think it's totally off the scale.

People are probably blind to it and if the truth came out I think they

would be a lot will players were banned from playing. The pressures

when you are younger to make those jumps especially with young players

who have the opportunity to have a full-time career, I still think it's

going on. We spoke to several rugby players who did not want to be

interviewed and according to UK anti-doping statistics are third of

all banned athletes are Welsh rugby players. Of the 52 banned athletes

across the UK, 17 are Welsh rugby players. A small percentage of the

thousands that play the game. However Welsh rugby league bosses

say the figures were a wake-up call and admit they are keeping dashed

that keeping the sport clean is a challenge. One expert says it's too

easy for cheats to avoid detection. Threads that leave this system very

quickly can be quite confident they will be caught because the current

testing will not be able to detect those drugs. Last week to Welsh

Rugby Union players were banned after testing positive in a drugs

test. The WRU say they are not overly concerned because the numbers

of players tested is higher than in other rugby unions and sports. I

think it's a problem in society to start with. I would not sit here and

say it's not an issue in rugby because the fact that the one player

getting band is one too many as far as I'm concerned. The challenge for

us in sport generally is to try and get a lead of the game. But the

rugby player we spoke to doesn't feel they will ever get rid of

banned drugs completely because he feels the pressure is put on players

these days are greater than ever. And you can see more

on this story in Week in Week Out

tonight at 10:35pm A woman from Cardiff died from

drowning after the tourist boat she was on capsized on a river in South

East Asia, an inquest has heard. Johanna Powell,

who was a picture editor here at BBC Wales news, was with three

friends when the vessel sank on The inquest heard how Miss Powell

was probably asleep when the boat A conclusion

of accidental death was recorded. Around 50 Syrian refugees will

arrive in Wales before Christmas. Four local councils across Wales

will welcome the refugees. The Minister for Communities, Lesley

Griffiths, says the UK Government has vetted all of those coming here

and they pose no threat to security. Two former Welsh Secretaries, Peter

Hain and Paul Murphy, have taken Lord Hain, the former MP for Neath,

was flanked by supporters Lord Kinnock, the former Labour

leader, and Baroness Eluned Morgan as he swore the oath

of allegiance to the Queen. Lord Murphy, who served as MP

for Torfaen from 1987 until 2015, Both retired from the House

of Commons A community council in Denbighshire

has been accused intransigence for only publishing its agenda

in Welsh and not in English. Following a complaint,

the public services Ombudsman said Cynwyd Council was wrong not to

produce the document bilingually. In his report, he says

the council acted unreasonably. This is a quiet place not far from

Corwen. Like many villages it is served by a community Council which

is supposed to represent local opinion.

is supposed to represent local notices for it get posted outside

the village shop. When the woman who complained looked at the council

agenda on this notice board she found it was only in Welsh and she

says she asked for it to be done bilingual you but nothing was done.

She felt that was unfair. Today the ombudsman has agreed and goes

further and says it was unjust. In the report the complainant has -- is

referred to as Mrs X. She has now waved their anonymity so I met a few

miles outside the village. She is not against the Welsh line which she

says. All I want is what I originally asked for is for the

agenda to be bilingual. That is all I wanted. I didn't want all of this.

Are you thinking this is quite a large sledgehammer the quite a small

net? I agree. It did not come -- need to come to this at all. They

had plenty of opportunity to change their minds and they were politely

requested time after time by the ombudsman 's office but for some

reason which I still do not understand they refuse to do this.

Despite today's criticisms a Cynwyd Council spokesman was unapologetic.

We were asked in the wrong way. If you are asked to do something nicely

you lead over backwards but if we are told to do something and

threatened with the ombudsman I think it is a reasonable answer to

say OK, we will discuss this issue when the ombudsman reports. I have

had to issue this public report because of the complete

intransigence of the community Council. This is not a linguistic

issue, this is a public service issue. This is not a public or

private club which can decide its own rules. So though the ball is in

the council's court. Will it change its position? That is still not

clear. In tonight's sport,

we reveal the eight nominees And the appeal ringing out

across Wrexham to save Tomorrow, the Chancellor George

Osborne will set out Working tax credits

and housing benefits are expected to be changed to save billions of

pounds and help balance the books. Any changes to benefits would have

a huge impact on thousands Our reporter, Ben Price,

has been to Swansea to speak to some Stormy November clouds over Swansea

Bay and ahead of tomorrow's statement by the Chancellor many

have been forecasting challenging times the thousands of people who

are relying on financial support from the government. 238,000

families in Wales receive tax credits which provide extra

financial support based on individual family needs. 89,000 of

those who got them were in work. More than 243,000 people in Wales

receive housing benefit. Swansea is the third highest place in Wales for

the number of people who are eligible for working tax credits.

Around 18,000 people here get them. It's also the second highest place

in Wales for the number of people who receive housing benefits. The

Phoenix Centre in the Townhill area of Swansea helps people when money

is tight. There is a community enterprise offering cheap childcare

and a cafe with knock-down prices. It also creates jobs for local

people. I am Emily, I am 26 and they get around ?70 for working tax

credit and around ?80 for housing benefit. A single mother of three

young children, Emily works in the centre part time. She has to keep a

close eye on her weekly budget but Emily often feels her situation

isn't there. I would be better off on the income support. My youngest

son is two. Technically I don't have to work until his five and that is

the scary thing that other people will be feeling that too. So what

you are saying is you would be better off? From what I understand

they would be better off unemployed. Just down the road a karate lesson

that the Gwent boxing gym. Parents you are concerned about the impact

of potential welfare cuts. It's not right. They have got people to go

back to work with the working tax credit, child tax credit. They have

got people off the dole. The government is not listening to what

people need. They are prioritising cats in areas where it would make a

lot of difference to people. And as fears over cuts continue its hoped

they will be something to soften the blow. Let's talk to our

Parliamentary correspondent. The UK Government says cats have to be

made. Yes, George Osborne says that unless the country tackles its

national debt it is economic security is threatened. That is the

message will appear tomorrow as he talks about moves to a low welfare

economy which means cuts the benefits. We don't know the details

of what he'll do on tax credits. He's had to rethink them after they

were blocked by the House of Lords. He may look instead at something

like housing benefit. And it will all be doom and gloom. They will be

extra money for the NHS in Wales if the Welsh Government decides to

follow the decision taken by the NHS in England which is getting a 4%

real terms boost next year. There will though be difficult times for

local government in England that could feed through to a challenging

settlement the local councils in Wales. Policing to looks vulnerable.

We are also expecting him to unveil plans to guarantee public than in

Wales the head will always stay higher than England.

And we will of course have lots of reaction to the Spending Review

Back to tonight and the sport with Tomos.

We start with news of an award which recognises outstanding

contribution at the grassroots level of local sport.

Tonight we can reveal the winners of this year's Unsung Hero award.

They volunteer at the local swimming pool in Llanrwst

and over the years they've taught hundreds of children to swim.

I went to surprise them with the news.

We are in Llanrwst to reveal this year 's Unsung Hero Award. There are

two award winners and they are just over there officiating at a swimming

gala. Before we surprised them, but find out why they deserve this

year's award. There is no doubting their passion. Jane and Nerys have

been teaching here every week since 1983. Some they've helped have

competed at national level and others have become lifeguards and

swimming teachers themselves. Generations helped by two remarkable

women. I was a teenager when I started coming here and it just

shows the commit they give and my daughter is here now and it is

lovely to see how they have given their time so long. Around 100 turn

up every week, chance of children from mainly rural areas to get

together. If anybody said to me we would want you to do a swimming club

the 32 years, I would think no chance. But you can see from

tonight, the kids absolutely love it. And they love Jane and Nerys.

It's a partnership formed in friendship. They have lived next

door to each other on neighbouring farms the 40 years. Both live here

in the village nestles between ball and better is a kite. With its lakes

and white-water rivers and the landscape here is a constant

reminder of the importance of swimming skills. Water is a magnet

for children whatever age. They always want to play with water. The

children have drowned, young people have got into difficulties. We try

and do a lot of life with them because it's vitally important. When

mother came to us and said her child fell in the river but the brother

jumped in and got hold of the and she came and said thank you for

teaching my children life-saving skills. Back at the pool and its

prize-giving time at the swimming gala. Every child gets a medal. But

what Jane and Nerys don't know is they are about to get a trophy of

their own. What are welcome. You love the bit confused. I have got to

let you in on a little secret. The real reason everybody is here

tonight is because of you to and the tireless work you do week in week

out. I am delighted to say that you are this year's BBC sport get

inspired tent back to winners. -- Unsung Hero Award winners.

Congratulations. You have got tears in your eyes. What does it mean to

you? It is tremendous for us. We never dreamt anything like this

would happen to us. I am lost for words. It is a shock. I love

teaching the children. It is just lovely.

It was a great night for everyone involved with

Congratulations once again to Jane and Nerys.

Well, it's time to announce exclusively the nominees

for this year's BBC Cymru Wales Sports Personality of the Year.

The winner will be announced at the Wales Sport Awards on Monday,

So, let's take a look at the eight nominees.

His goals helped to dig Wales to the European Championships. It is Wales

and Real Madrid foot bollard Gareth Bale. The Ospreys and Wales rugby

international Dan Biggar had a standout World Cup and six Nations.

And what about an Olympian a la John Davies. European games gold

medallist and world Grand Prix winner tae kwon do athlete Jade

Jones. The new IBF world featherweight champion who also

defended his title this year, boxer Lee Selby is also on the list. Along

with Non Stanford back from injury to qualify for the 2016 Olympics.

Classic winner and career-best Tour de France finisher Geraint Thomas

and Wales and Swansea City Captain Ashley Williams who led his country

to next year's European finals. Each night next week,

we'll be profiling the candidates. You'll be able to vote

from Monday morning until Saturday

the 5th of December. All the details on how to vote will

be available from next Monday on Cardiff Blues hooker Matthew Rees

will face The 34-year-old was shown

a red card for stamping on Harlequins and England number eight,

Nick Easter, during the Blues' That is the sport. Back to you,

Jamie. An appeal is ringing out in Wrexham

to save the bells The rare set

of ten bells is almost 300-years-old Bell ringers need to raise

?10,000 for the work. Matthew Richards is there

for us tonight. Welcome to this beautiful medieval

church. I have got here the receipt for the last instalment to pay for

the set of bells back in 1732 the ?44. Inflation has gone up somewhat

I think. We saw a group practising earlier this evening. Let's listen

in to hear them playing the bells. With me now is David Spalding the

tower captain of the bell-ringers year. Explain to me a bit about the

bells and what needs to be done. It is some years since they had any

maintenance and they are now at a stage when they urgently need some

maintenance. Then they will be good for another 50 or 60 years. Tell us

about the history of them. They are special. These bells were cast in

Gloucester by Abraham Riddle in the early 1720s. They are almost unique

beef up but because we have ten bells and there are very few ten

bell-ringers in the world. They got here in quite a unique way. They

did. We have got a report of how they were brought up by boat at the

River Severn to strew spree and hauled overland to Wrexham. In the

1720s it must have been quite a challenge. You need to raise ?10,000

and you are appealing for more people to become members. We do need

to get the money to pay for the repairs but equally we would welcome

any interest in bell-ringing. It is an inch and tradition and one which

we are keen to encourage. Thank you very much. We were let the practice

continued receiving. Let's get the weather now. Sue

Charles has tonight's forecast. After a cold start to the week,

we're moving in to a milder spell of weather now,

but also more unsettled. Cloudier tonight with outbreaks

of rain moving south eastwards, pushing through on brisk north

westerly winds overnight. The cloud holding up

the temperatures though. Those strong winds persist

into tomorrow, Likely to be heaviest

in the north and west, but moving Some brighter spells in between,

but with brisk north westerly winds Highs between 9C in Powys and 11C

in Pembrokeshire. Tomorrow night,

largely dry but often cloudy. A few isolated showers

for a time and staying blustery If we follow the isobars the winds

move from the north west to the So Thursday might be

a bit cloudy but mostly dry. Some bright spells,

some mist and hill fog. Patchy rain more likely further

north west, but also slightly milder with temperatures back in double

figures at 11C to 13C and turning But with that milder Atlantic

influence it's also very changeable with another front arriving

from the west on Friday. Friday might start dry, especially

in the east, but there's more rain Behind that front drier and colder

for a time overnight Friday into Saturday and remaining windy

with a risk of wintry showers. Then further rain

on the way through Saturday. So quite topsy-turvy

weather this week. Very changeable and signs that we

could briefly return to colder air I'll have an update for you here

at 8:00pm and again after the BBC news

at 10:00pm. From all of us on the programme,

good evening. The knives are sharpened,

and the heat is on...