18/02/2014 East Midlands Today

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

Tonight: A hospital halts surgery that could help children with

cerebral palsy. Shannon had her NHS operation but 30

other children will miss out. I thought it was really bad and that

other people could not get it was really bad for them to.

Also, police carry out raids across counties looking for suspected

football hooligans. Plus, the rise and rise of house

prices. And what is missing from the House of Lords is asked, apparently?

Find 0 House of Lords is asked, apparently?

Find out why they later. Good evening. Welcome to Tuesday's

programme. First tonight, growing anger and confusion after

potentially life changing operations for children were cancelled. The

surgery was designed to help children with cerebral palsy walk

again. The NHS has apologised for the pain, distress and uncertainty

the decision has caused. Tonight the affected families face

an agonising wait to see if there's any way that their children can now

get the surgery they need. Many fear they'll need to raise thousands to

go private. Our Health Correspondent, Rob Sissons reports.

Forward, that's it. This boy's family thought he was well on the

way to his surgery to help him walk unaided. But Nottingham's Queen's

Medical Centre say the spinal operation is no longer routinely

funded on the NHS. There is hope there that he could walk, and

without the surgery, we question that he will ever do that. In

today's balls, the news his mum was dreading, and 29 other families are

in the same boat. His 0 dreading, and 29 other families are

in the same boat. His operation will not be going ahead on the NHS. The

procedure involves cutting nerves around the spine to reduce

spasticity. Nottingham's Queen's Medical Centre should have stopped

doing the operations months ago when NHS England ruled there was not

enough evidence of that success. In a statement, NHS England told us

they were trying to achieve a: Shannon's family feel lucky. She got

her operation four days ago, and the hospitals honouring 18 other

children's operations. But to begin with, they had said no. I thought it

was really, really bad. And that other people 0

was really, really bad. And that other people could not have it it

was really bad for them to. I want to do anything I can to help the

other children who are not getting the surgery. Days on, they are

already noticing improvements. Before the operation, Shannon could

not raise her arms. That is brilliant. It is not fantastic for

this boy's family. It is quite a big mountain to climb, who knows how

long that will take? Families right across the Midlands have had 0

long that will take? Families right across the Midlands have had their

hopes 0 across the Midlands have had their

hopes raised and then dashed. We asked for interviews from both

Nottingham's Queen's Medical Centre and NHS England and were told no one

was available. Tonight there is some hope, talk of NHS England funding

some cases, possibly around 100 to be evaluated, but there is no word

yet on who might qualify. Police have arrested 26 men in

connection with suspected violent disorder that broke out after a

football match last year. It happened on the day Nottingham

Forest played Derby County in September. This morning, raids took

place across three counties in what police say was an almost

unprecedented operation. Tom Brown reports.

It was barely dawn this morning, and a huge police operation was already

underway. Around 100 officers arrived in homes in Nottingham,

Derbyshire and Boston in Lincolnshire aiming to arrest 26 men

in a series of code needed raids. It was all in rear `` in relation to

suspected football related violence. It is the culmination of

the investigation that took place in response to a violent disorder that

took place in September last year. Since then, a number of people have

already been arrested who are currently on bail, and we have been

piecing together lots of different strands of intelligence, identifying

26 for the people we need to speak to in relation to that disorder. It

happened in this village right, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire border.

The men arrested today were aged between 16 and 50. The majority were

detained in Nottingham, where evidence and statements were taken.

This police operation was so big it was partly funded by the Home

Office. It is unprecedented. I have not seen, on many occasions, the

amount of intelligence gathering and preparation that has taken place in

relation to preparing for today's arrest phase. Anyone convicted of

football related violence gives the real fans a bad name, the police

say. More arrests could follow. Almost 600 affordable homes are to

be built in Leicester over the next two years ` as figures today

confirmed the average house price in the region stands at a whopping

?176,000. The average cost has remained

constant for three months in a row, meaning our annual rise hasn't been

as sharp as elsewhere. 0 meaning our annual rise hasn't been

as sharp as elsewhere. But today one estate suggested the housing market

was at the beginning of another boom. Mike O'Sullivan reports.

There is a cluster of estate agents on the street in Leicester, one of

them saying that the cycle of house price boom is about to start up

again. With increases of up to 27% across the country, and here in the

East Midlands, up to 7%. We have seen it before, at the beginning of

the market you get that kind of gradual steady growth, and as that

bubble builds, the increase becomes more rapid. So our house price boom

is around the corner? It could be, in my humble opinion. Today the

Office for National Statistics said the average price for a house in the

East Midlands was ?176,000 last year, unchanged for the third month

in a row, there's been a steady 1.9% increase in a year. For this

family, who live in social housing, the average price is a figure they

just cannot afford. No way, not a chance. There is no way we could

afford a new house. Or any sort of house to move into. This is it for

us. In Leicester, more affordable homes or on the way. The city

council says 600 will be provided in the next couple of years. Wages have

not kept up with inflation in house prices, so many people cannot afford

to buy. There have always been many people, because of low`income, low

wages, disabilities are other reasons, who would never buy. We

have got an increase of 31% more buyers, that is a fact. There is

more 0 buyers, that is a fact. There is

more confidence out there. At the moment, the market is growing. Help

is out there for mortgages, but around ?60 million is also being

spent on affordable homes in the city. With the money coming from the

Council, the government and outside investment.

The RSPCA have returned to a field in Leicestershire at the centre of a

campaign to move some horses being kept there. People have been at the

field near Fosse park protesting that the animals need to be taken

somewhere dry. The owner insists he's done nothing wrong and the

horses are taken care of. The RSPCA visited today and said afterwards

their inspectors had no immediate concerns and the owner was

co`operating in mending fences and clearing some litter. They said the

horses do have access to dry land and food. One was put down at the

weekend, unable to rise from a large puddle of water.

A council is defending plans to introduce a two tier rent system

which would essemtially give a discount to so`called responsible

tenants. Nottingham City Council says the idea is to reward those who

play by the rules and pay on time ` while those who don't would pay

more. It says it won't disadvantage those who genuinely can't pay.

Benefits campaigners in the city though, have called the idea

'divisive' and 'unfair'. Nottinghamshire Police are to hold a

fortnight long firearms amnesty next month. It's a decade since the last

one was held in the county. Officers are asking for people to hand in

unlawfully held or unwanted guns and ammunition to stop them getting into

the wrong hands. There'll be no questions asked. The amnesty will

begin on March third. Still to come: Big changes and big

challenges for Mansfield's Golden Girl.

Rebecca Adlington talks about her life away from competitive swimming.

Before all that, a deafening silence in Parliament's second chamber. A

new survey reveals that our voice is going unheard in the House of Lords.

The East Midlands has fewer noble Lords and Baronesses than any other

part of the UK. Now there are calls for that under`representation to be

addressed. Here's our Political Editor John Hess.

It was Oscar Wilde who wrote that the House of Lords and never takes

into account public opinion. That is why, he says, it is at a civilised

body. But a new report suggests Parliament's unelected second

chamber is out of touch with many of the regions but the country ``

regions of the country, especially the East Midlands. Out of 432

working peers, only nine or from the East Midlands. At 2%, that is the

lowest representation of any part of the UK. That compares with 4% for

the West Midlands and Yorkshire. 11% for the East, and 20% from the

south`east. At 24%, peers living in Greater London make up the biggest

share. The Bishop of Leicester is one of our handful of peers. There

is also lauds Charlie Falk in, a former Lord Chancellor in Tony

Blair's government. I'm very conscious listening to the

contributions... This baroness, a former BBC head of communications,

now a government Environment Minister, and Baroness Lister, a

professor of social policy. It is ghastly there are so few peers from

East Midlands. I can't think of any sensible explore nation for that.

Members of the Lords have no constituency to represent. We are

scrutinising legislation, bringing our experience of where we live,

what is going on. If a particular region is underrepresented it means

that the people bringing knowledge of the effects of legislation in

this region are not there. Over the last 100 years, governments have

attended to reform the House of Lords. The last attempt a couple of

years ago to have direct elections also ended in failure. Would that

surprise Oscar Wilde? I think not. Parts of the Elvaston Castle Estate

could be taken over by local businesses and organisations.

Derbyshire County Council currently spends ?800,000 a year maintaining

the 17th century castle and parkland. Now it wants to see if

local groups or firms would like to move in to some of the park

buildings to help secure the estate's future. It'll be holding

open days next month. English Heritage has objected to

plans to knock down part of a former Nottinghamshire brewery. Developers

want to build 150 homes on the site of an old malt house at Kimberley.

It's part of a major redevelopment of the disused brewery site. But

English Heritage says the building is listed and the homes will be out

of character. 0 is listed and the homes will be out

of character. The firm behind the proposals say they're vital for the

area's economy. Now to the only hospice of its kind

in the East Midlands caring not just for children and young adults but

for their families too. This year, Rainbows celebrates it's 20th

birthday. For two decades it's given respite, palliative and end of life

care. And as Jo Healey reports there's been an awful lot of 0

there's been an awful lot of laughter among 0

there's been an awful lot of laughter among the tears over the

last two decades. It is very, very special place isn't

it? It is 0 It is very, very special place isn't

it? It is a lifeline for the families and children who come here.

Rainbows has been here for two decades, and in that time, it has

helped thousands of children and their families. One of them is

Chloe, who has been coming for ten years. How important as this place

been to Chloe? It has been really important. Rainbows has been a place

she can come and have fun and get the support she needs. She gets 16

nights of respite care a year, doesn't she? She has had time to

recharge your batteries. The staff are 0

recharge your batteries. The staff are just amazing. The facilities

have improved beyond recognition since it was officially opened by

the Prince of Wales. This man was the first child through the doors,

he is now 21 years old. At the moment they are supporting around

300 children. They are also supporting 250 grieved families. But

at all costs ?4.5 million a year just to run. And this, its 20th

year, they want to raise an extra ?100,000. We need to provide complex

care for our children. We rely a lot more on technology. It is a huge

undertaking. But they are rising to the challenge to help children and

their families for decades to come. Fantastic.

Still to come: A bit of a redesign for the Red Arrows.

The new look was unveiled today but you'll have to keep watching to find

out exactly 0 you'll have to keep watching to find

out exactly what 0 you'll have to keep watching to find

out exactly what has changed. You will have to stay watching. Do

not go away. I know it is the sport. We have got good stuff too. A lovely

interview with Rebecca Adlington on life after sport to come, but we

start with current footballing stars. Derby have a match at

Sheffield Wednesday tonight which could more than consilidate their

place at the top of the table. Natalie Jackson has been looking

ahead. If Steve McClaren's Derby County win

at Sheffield Wednesday tonight they could go into third place. It is a

remarkable rise up the table for the Rams. Over the last five years on

average they have finished 15th in the Championship. It is changing the

mentor Lydia the players. `` the mentality of the players. Being in

this position, what does it take? We have to take the pressure away from

them. It is about mentality. Derby have had eight days of rest since

their last game. A win which left the players feeling full of

confidence and desire. A nice mix of guys in the changing room. Everybody

is hungry for success. There are some senior players who have had

good success throughout their careers. And young lads who are new

to this type of situation. But it is working well for us. Full match

commentary at Derby's game on Sheffield Wednesday tonight, 7pm on

BBC Radio Devon B. `` Well, hosting that Radio Derby coverage is our own

Mark Shardlow who can look ahead for us at Hillsborough.

Sheffield Wednesday lost last week for the first time in 12 games. One

crucial factor here will be the pitch. It is still damp. It might

cut up a bit. And it has just 0 cut up a bit. And it has just

started raining again. Kick`off here is at 7:45pm.

Nottingham Forest's chairman says they will support champion boxer

Carl Froch to fulfil his dream. The chairman says they would like to

thank `` help if they can. It is potentially the biggest ever

all British boxing match but where will it take place customer Carl

Froch would love it to be at his beloved Nottingham Forest. The

chairman is not ruling it out. We will try to help them as much as we

can. I will sit with them and talk about his game, and I wish him all

the best. The chairman is busy with footballing matters at the moment.

Speculation is rife that there midfield could be returning to the

club. Loan signings are real possibility. We are missing a number

of players. These are key players for Nottingham Forest, good

players. I'm sure the manager is looking for a midfielder, but we do

not want to bring any player, we want to bring the right player. And

despite the injury problems, the chairman is still confident of

success. We have 16 games to play. If we win ten games out of the 16, I

think we'll do well. We can do this season.

Huge ambitions. In other sport, a big night coming up for Nottingham

Panthers ` they have a 5`3 lead going into the second leg of their

Challenge Cup semfinal with arch`rivals Sheffield Steelers. Face

off is at 7:30 and it's live on BBC Radio Nottingham with, well, me.

Join me then if you can. At the Winter Olympics some joy at

last for Nottingham speed skating star Elise Christie. She's been

denied medals in the 500 metre and 1,500m events by controversial

judging decisions but skated today in the heats of her favourite 1,000m

distance ` and came from fourth to blow the field away in the last

three laps. It was a confident return to the ice. And it helped

Elise put the earlier events ` and abuse she's had on social media `

behind her. It is good that I was out there, everyone has hated me and

I did not feel good out there, and it was emotional and stuff. But I

have got back out there today knowing that people are helping me

get on with things. It is great to get out there and skate again.

Also skating today in the 500m heats were Jon Eley and Jack Whelbourne.

Jon is safely through, but Jack had a really tough draw and has been

knocked out. Now for the second in our series on

how sports stars cope with retirement. Tonight, Mansfield's

Rebecca Adlington ` the Golden Star of the pool at the Beijing Olympics.

She's only 25 but already she's got to carve out a whole new career and,

as Helen Barnes found out, cope with some big changes to her body.

Rebecca 0 some big changes to her body.

Rebecca Adlington is Great Britain's most successful ever

swimmer. Rebecca Adlington, two gold medals in one Olympic games.

Absolutely brilliant. In February 2013 Shirov retired from sport. ``

she retired from sport. She moved to the north`west, got herself a new

job. Becky has launched a network of swimming schools. She wants to

improve her swimming is taught across the country. My ambition is

for every child leaving primary school to be able to swim 25 metres.

It is one of those things that if you are in a situation, you have to

save someone's life, you will not panic if you're confident in water.

Becky turned 25 yesterday, and she is loving her new life. It is nice

not waking up at quarter past five in the morning. I don't have much

routine and structure any more like you do when you are and athlete. It

is so relaxed. But there have been some surprises. Now I have lost all

my muscle, pretty much. Nothing is toned, everything wobbles. I am

like, what is this? Why is that wobbling? That is very different.

You kind of expected when you retire, that you just kind of, you

will never be as fit as you are in that moment when you are competing.

You will never be that body shape again, because that body, for me, I

am so grateful for my body in many ways because it has gotten me to

four Olympic medals. Please welcome the incredible Becky Adlington.

Those medals put Becky in the media spotlight. I wondered how she feels

now about being so famous. It is crazy to me. I have never had a

desire to be famous. I would prefer to be with my family and friends and

do nothing. I know exactly how she feels. I don't know how I cope if I

lost this tone and body. Dominik said earlier the reason he

never went into sport was the feeling of not being toned. Anyway,

this summer The Red Arrows celebrate their 50th year of aerobatic

displays ` displays which have taken the Lincolnshire based team around

the world. And to mark the anniversary the

pilots and their engineers, known as the Blues, unveiled a new paint

scheme at their RAF Scampton base. Gemma Dawson was there.

Unveiling their new look, and it is up to the Blues to reveal the Red

Arrows' anniversary tail fin. I always had an idea for a union Jack

on the tail. The engineers came up with the final design. I was really

impressed with it. The tale features the Hawk and the Nat. Red Arrows,

marking the opening of the 19 six D5 season of aerobatic display. ``

1965. The way we operate as a team is similar to how we did years ago.

It is a huge privilege to be on the team in this 50th year. For some of

the pilots, their first glimpse of the paint's new look. On the 50th

season, it is even more impressive. Knowing that is going to be on the

back of the aircraft I am lying. This one is getting its make over

today. And over the next few days, all of the aeroplanes should be

ready for the Red 0 all of the aeroplanes should be

ready for the Red Arrows' 50th display season.

Nice tail. It was edging stuff. Anyway, it is

time for the weather forecast. Sadly.

There is good news in the forecast, at last. It has been quieter for us

today, and that quieter weather has enticed you out. A beautiful carpet

of snowdrops here. Do not be shy. Send in your weather pictures. The

next 24 hours is staying fairly quiet. In between these weather

systems. This one is heading in for Thursday. Tomorrow, very quiet,

dry, bright, there will be sunshine around. We are still on the mild

side, temperatures will peak into double figures. We have had some

showers around today. They are starting to fade, so it is a dry

night, clear spells developing through tonight, light winds as

well. It will be a little chilly tonight. We will keep frost away,

lows of three or four Celsius. Tomorrow will start off bright, some

spells of sunshine, cloud will thicken up through the morning, that

may squeeze a very light shower. By the afternoon, sunshine should come

back again, decent breaks in the cloud. Light winds, it will feel

pleasant, nine or 10 Celsius. It may actually feel springlike later on,

dare I say it. But it is not going to last. That weather front is

zooming in for Wednesday night. That will be with us through Thursday. We

are back to cloudy, damp and breezy on Thursday.

Tomorrow is looking lovely. I am going to love it. It might change by

Thursday. Goodbye.