07/03/2012 East Midlands Today

This is East Midlands Today, with Anne Davies, and me, Dominic Heale.

Our top story tonight, the ex- soldier who's been told he's not a

housing priority in his own home city.

No council house for Dale. Born and raised in Nottingham and with 22

years in the RAF. It's wrong. And you're ever had the audacity to say

it to him... I would like to meet them.

Also tonight, the leisure activity that has landed a disabled benefits

claimant in jail. He had been playing regularly, once a week over

an 18-hole golf course. Plus the Government's controversial

NHS changes. How will patients notice the difference?

And the big day is almost here. The final preparations are being made

Good evening. First tonight, homes fit for heroes. For some military

veterans, it's nothing but an empty phrase. This evening, we can report

on the housing inequalities suffered by servicemen and women

when they hang up their uniform for good. A man who was born and raised

in Nottingham before embarking on a long career in the military has

been told he doesn't have a strong enough connection to the city to

qualify for a council house because he's currently living outside the

city. But other local councils in the region are giving their

returning servicemen a boost up the waiting list. Simon Hare has this

exclusive report. Dale Williamson was brought up in

his parents' home here in Nottingham. It is a household full

of childhood memories. He went on to swap the marching band uniform

for a military one. He spent the last 22 years as an intelligence

analyst for the RAF, stationed at home and abroad. There has been a

promise to consult on changes to the law to put servicemen up the

wedding is... Despite warm words from political leaders, he is now

struggling to get a council house in his knitting -- native

Nottingham. He has been told he does not have a strong enough

connection to the local area. has been a huge kick in the teeth

to be told I have no association with the city I love. You don't

call where you are posted your home because it is only temporary.

soldier was given priority by his local house a lot fraud you on his

return from Afghanistan. council were spot on, helped me

everywhere I could. Otherwise I would have been stuck. On the

street. Mansfield District Council has signed a special veteran

charter promising help for ex- military personnel. A lot of

regiments have been given freedom to the city of Nottingham and I

find it kind of ironic that it is OK for a publicity exercise to give

a group of individuals the freedom of the city but then not honour

that on the back end. I think it speaks volumes. Dale Williamson

says he cannot afford private rent in Nottingham and you will soon be

moving to Ashfield. -- he will soon be moving. You commit to fighting

in other nations around the world but you are forgotten about around

the country. Simon is with us now. What response

has there been? They say they feel sympathy with Dale Williamson but

at the moment they give priority to those who are homeless, those

already living the city boundary and those affected by domestic

violence. What's the situation elsewhere? It is a real mixed

picture. In Derby, they have no a priority for service personnel. In

Leicester, they do, and Dale Williamson would be in Band 2, not

band 5, as he is in Nottingham. Thank you.

A judge has described a benefits fraudster who regularly played golf

as a thorough and utter liar and cheat. Nottingham Crown Court heard

Robert Cave from Mansfield cheated the public purse out of more than

�12,000. Today, he was jailed for four months, as James Roberson

reports. Nottingham Crown Court today heard

Robert Cave, a former miner, has a genuine degenerative bone

collection -- bone disease, but despite an improvement in his

condition in recent years, he still claimed he could barely walk. In

2009, benefit fraud investigators secretly filmed and at home in

Mansfield easily moving heavy fence panels to his car. But they also

follow it into this golf course in Nottinghamshire, where he was

filled practising on the driving range, apparently without any

physical problems, and then playing a whole round of golf on football

stop before investigators discovered that not only had he

been coming here regularly, but he had achieved a handicap of 15,

which is a mark of an accomplished golfer. He had claimed over �6,000

up to 2010. The court was told, he could not have got a handicap of 15

overnight. He must have been playing for some time. I cannot

think of worse breaches. I cannot imagine the public annoyance at

this man's disgusting behaviour. A clear message was sent to other

benefit fraudsters, they said. would be scared if I was doing that

and I found out what had happened today and they think it gives a

reassuring message to members of the public or on his stun working

and wondering what on earth is going on here. -- the public who

are honest and working. Still to come, all of last night's

goal action, in the sport. Also, the scaffolding is down at

Chatsworth House. Renovation work is over at the ancestral seat of

the Dukes of Devonshire. Experts say this is the best it's looked

for 300 years and we'll take a peek. And all eyes are on Leicester

tomorrow, but what will the weather be like for the visit? I will have

the details shortly. Next, big changes are on their way

that could transform the way health services are run here in the East

Midlands. The Government's controversial Health and Social

Care Bill will give local GPs greater control over NHS budgets.

But our MPs are still divided over whether patients will actually

benefit from the changes. From Westminster, here's our political

editor, John Hess. So who is best at deciding the

spending priorities for local health care? Is it your GP, or, in

the case of Derby and Derbyshire, the Primary Care Trust, with its

annual budget of �1 billion to surveyed population of one million

people. In the future, it will be the GPs who decide but there are

critics who say the Government's changes under its Health and Social

Care Bill will allow it a much greater role for the private sector

in the NHS, and that is a very much at the heart of its long-running

political drama. It will be a lot better, because frankly,

constituents come to me and say, the only person who understands my

medical needs is my GP. They now have the power to commission the

services that patients' needs. will those structural changes

improve things? I think so. It will make things much smoother and give

power to the patient. I think we will get the services people do

need. My worry is that this Health Bill will set different parts of

the system against one another and it has also been a huge waste of

money, this big reorganisation. Billions of extra pounds have been

spent on it we should have been going into frontline patient care.

This controversial bill is almost writs last parliamentary hurdle but

at Westminster tonight, there is a big rally organised and among the

speakers, Sue Johnson, a hospital worker from Derby. She is a great

geographer who works in the X-ray department at the Royal Derby

Hospital. -- she is a radio opera. If things go ahead as we believe,

we might see closures and hospitals will not be able to plan for their

care because alternative providers will be coming in. Quality. Well,

we talk about quality but there is no evidence that competition

improves quality. The Primary Care Trust which shape local an edge as

funding of being wound down. are setting out their local

consortium in anticipation of the new legislation. David Cameron once

the GPs very much in the driving seat of the future direction of the

NHS and tonight, it looks as though those changes are heading into Top

Gear. The job agency Remploy has

announced plans to close its Leicester factory. The city site

employs 23 people who assemble mechanical products. It's one of 36

factories earmarked for closure after the Government announced it's

cutting funding. 1,700 jobs could go in total. However, Remploy says

it hopes to keep its Derby operation.

More than 1,000 cannabis plants have been found in a disused garage

shelter in Nottinghamshire. The bunker is on a former airfield in

the village of Whixley. The find is one of two large seized -- seizures

in the last month. Eight people have been arrested and

Leicestershire and Derbyshire at the start off a regional crackdown

on metal theft. Forces across the East Midlands have been working

together to tackle the problem. Thieves have stolen lead from train

lines and war memorials, as well as churches. A new unit has been set

up to deal with the crime specifically.

Now, final preparations are being made for the visit of Her Majesty,

the Queen to the City of Leicester tomorrow. It is the first stop on

her Jubilee tour of the country. She will be accompanied by the Duke

of Edinburgh and the Duchess of Cambridge. We go overtook where

they are making the finishing touches. Excitement is building

ahead of tomorrow. Technicians have been here all days setting up

things for the special service. Why is the biz is so important?

Leicester has been chosen as the first prize the Queen will come on

her tour, arcing 60 years of her reign. It will also be the first

official visit of the Dodgers of Cambridge to the East Midlands. So

where can you see the action? -- of the Duchess of Cambridge.

12:30pm, there will party moves to the cathedral. There is limited

space for spectators outside. -- will meet the Mayor of Leicester

and go on a walkabout before The Queen will also unveil a plaque

eight St Nicholas Place. It is currently being used as a car-park.

It will have gardens and places to walk through. Join me again later,

when we will have a chat with the Bishop of Leicester.

Thank you. Before then, more than a quarter of taxis stop in Derby last

month failed on the spot safety checks. Licensing officers

inspected 26 vehicles. Eight of them were ordered off the road and

two were given warnings. The Czechs are part of a continuing operation

between the police and the city council.

The council says business waste could be included in some of the

worst recent cases of fly-tipping. Trouble was dumped outside a farm

in Derby. It was one of three big incidents cleared up by the council

in a week. Tyres also found in Long Eaton.

A huge operation is underway in the Peak District to spread heather

seeds over the moors. It is hoped it will improve water quality in

rivers and reduce the risk of flooding. So far, 5,000 bags have

been edited -- airlifted to the Derbyshire moors.

You are watching BBC Newsline, and a day centre which closed recently

after more than 25 years has reopened in a local park. In a

host's a group of over 70s more than once a week, hosting games and

food. Up with councils and charities

being forced to tighten their belts, they send -- centres across the

East Midlands are having to close their doors. But this pub has

started a day centre of its own. speak to one another and it makes

you happy. The staff of very jovial and include you in what they are

doing. Very nice indeed. I was a bit dubious at first but now I am

chatting as bad as them! So it was nice! The group used to make us a

day centre run by the Red Cross but when that closed down after more

than two decades, they were left with no way to go. The County

Council then approached this pub and ask them if they would provide

this centre instead. A few drinks and a few exercises they can do. It

just makes them happy and that makes me happy. I would be lost

without it because it is the only place I get out to. Other than

going to the supermarket or shopping. This is my day out.

some way to go. Each day... Otherwise I would be sitting at

home on my own. A day here costs �6 but the copses it is doing it to

make a difference rather than to make a profit. -- but the pub says.

They now want to open it for a third day in the week and the

council wants more pubs to follow Before sport, it is the wash up

that has cost �15 million. Renovation work at Chatsworth House

is complete after years of work. The last of the scaffolding which

has cocooned the building for 12 months has come down, Anthony parts

have been opened up for the first time. We take a look in the company

of the Duke of Devonshire. It is the jewel in the Peak, now

with added sparkle. Where there was baffled and tarpaulin, now there is

claiming stonework. Chatsworth House has not been seen this way

since it was built a 300 years ago. All we needed to do what we do if a

few things and clean it. Some bits have had to be carved again.

Every generation of the Devonshire family has made their mark. The

current Duke is no exception. He has revealed a few secrets.

It was not for the visitors, we would not be able to do this. It is

just because we get so many visitors as they are so

enthusiastic, and their support means we can do this work.

But the master plan has not just been about cleaning and repairing

the fabric of this Grade 1 listed building. In total, �15 million has

been spent in -- spent to open up new rooms. This is not a war, it is

a door into way guest bedroom. You see how filthy it is up there.

The nasty, black flame. There is the small matter of the

east face still to clean. But this house has not stood still in 300

years. The garage will be full of paint

cans! It is sport now. Plenty of football action from last

night. Certainly not good for Forest or Leicester. Let's start

with the cheery news. Derby County Peter Black Bull. -- Derby County

beat Blackpool. They conceded in the opening two

and equipped -- minutes, letting in Tom Ince.

I thought, here we go. But we came back on Saturday and knew we could

do it. At the start of the second half, we fully deserved it for

stopper Derby Guardian, and feel Robinson's squandered a good chance.

-- v Robinson. In the second half, Derby where a different team. Steve

Davies scored the equaliser. The goalkeeper was needed again. Derby

push hard, and it was Stephen Davies who scored the winner.

Pre-performance from him. That retrograde performance. Again, to

excellent finishes. Next up, it is Watford and forest.

-- Forest. That was the winner of the night. It did not go so well

for Leicester City or Nottingham Forest, who both lost.

Leicester City's season can be summed up in one word, inconsistent.

Things were going to plan at Bristol City when Lloyd Dyer put

them ahead. They could not hang on to the lead for long at all. After

the break they fell behind. Leicester thought they had rescued

a point through Neil Danns, but the home side had other ideas, to leave

the Foxes seven points behind the play-offs.

Nottingham Forest's recent revival came to a costly end against

Doncaster. They fell behind to a scream that. The visitors then

doubled their lead, hopes were raised when Dexter Blackstock

pulled one back for Forest, but the equaliser would not come, and the

beds are now three points off the relegation zone.

Notts County looks like they were on course to make it five wins in a

row against a Tranmere when Damion Stewart fired in. But the keeper

was in great form. They finally succumbed in stoppage time and

space tip in League One. -- state six vol stop Leicester City will

play Chelsea in the FA Cup quarter- finals.

The Londoners beat Birmingham in last night's replay.

Ice hockey, and there is a big night in store for the Nottingham

Panthers, they have got the first leg of their Challenge Cup final

away in Belfast, a repeat of last year's final. The Panthers won on

that occasion to pick up the trophy for the second time. They will have

to be at their best to make it three times running, as Belfast are

the league leaders. We will be looking to be the best.

We can get a result in their place to bring back here for next Tuesday.

Pick congratulations to Grantham's Sophie Allen, she has made the

British Olympic team after this win of her life at the National

Championships. Four more places went to Loughborough University

competitors, including Caitlin McLatchey. Salafi qualified in the

butterfly, pipping Leicester's Sophie Smith. -- Sophie.

It is amazing. I cannot wait, it is so long since we have got the

Olympics, and to be a member of the team is amazing.

Well done to her boss Bob more swimming to come later this week. -

Flowers arranged, Pepsi's practice to -- Paksi is practised, speeches

written. No one can say Leicester is not properly prepared for

tomorrow's's huge royal occasion. The there will be global interest

in the event, it is the first engagement of her Majesty's Diamond

Jubilee tour. Let go back to the cathedral and

rejoin the Simon Ward. What are they up to now?

Rehearsals are still going on at the cathedral. The Bishop of

Leicester joins us. How you feeling?

We are all very excited. The Queen will never forget this day. She is

held in such affection here, and everyone wants to show it.

It will be a Christian service, but also multicultural?

Yes, our Christian faith leads us to reach out to people of other

faiths and people of no faith. This cathedral is common ground, and

that all be here for everyone to see tomorrow, as young people read

from the Holy scriptures as -- of their faiths.

How important is it to be multicultural?

It is part of the character of our city, and we did well as somewhere

where different people from different cultures come together

harmoniously. The Queen wants her kingdom to look like that, I think

that is why she has chosen to come here for her first visit.

Thank you for joining us. It will be an exciting day for the City of

Leicester. I was down their earlier, and it

was amazing. It was buzzing! Fingers crossed.

Thank you for that! De weather is looking fine, so if you are heading

down to the Royal celebration, temperatures are what they should

be for this time of year. The wind will not be as severe as recently.

Tonight will be mostly dry up with some clear spells. Thank you for

this absolutely beautiful photo taken yesterday morning. This cold

front moved its way south-east through the morning and into the

afternoon, behind it we have seen some lovely sunshine. Just the odd

isolated showers. As we go through this evening, there is a chance of

one or two showers. On the whole, a dry night. For the rest of us, a

dry night, they could be some rain over the Peak District. It might

get cold enough in rural spot for a touch of frost. Plenty of sunshine

around in the morning, it is just as we going to be after that we

will start to see the cloud increasing a bit. But there will

still be plenty of sunshine. It will still feel fairly breezy, so

you might need to hold onto your hat! Looking further ahead, high

pressure is firmly with us on Friday, and will be by this

throughout the weekend. There's a lot of cloud associated with the

high pressure, but on the whole, Friday is looking like a dry day,

still fairly breezy. The outlook for Saturday, we are staying with

the cloud, but still high pressure, as a way dry day. Both the

temperatures are getting higher, so it will feel fairly mild. Still

quite cloudy on Sunday, but there Thank you, Anna!

Would have full coverage of the Queen and Duchess of Cambridge in

Leicester tomorrow. You can follow the whole day on BBC