18/10/2013 Look North (North East and Cumbria)

Hello. Welcome to Friday's Look North. The headlines: the report

which cleared the's former Chief Constable Stuart Hyde of misconduct

has been published for the first time.

Planners say yes to an energy Park. How a pet owner defended his blog

and ended up with a huge financial headache. `` his dog.

Why the sound of the South Pacific has come to a North Yorkshire

village. That was the Fijian World Cup squad.

Sunderland look for lift off in the new manager's first game in charge.

The official report which cleared Cumbria's former Chief Constable,

Stewart Hyde, of conduct has been published for the first time. `` of

misconduct. Stuart Hyde was suspended last September after

allegations of gross misconduct were made against him. He only returned

to work as a senior officer last month. Now, the allegations which he

faced have been spelt out in full for the first time, as well as the

reasons for finding him innocent. Mr Hyde was suspended for a year, with

the inquiries into his conduct costing round ?500,000. Mark

McAlindon is in our Carlisle newsroom now. Mark, what exactly

were the allegations made against Mr Hyde? Carol, this report has been

compiled by South Wales Police and has been released under Freedom of

Information. That force was asked to investigate after the Independent

Police Complaints Commission had decided last year that Mr Hyde was

not guilty of gross misconduct. That's the background. But the five

allegations specifically are spending an unreasonable time

outside the force area and making trips abroad at important

operational times, conducting meetings with contractors and

companies and giving preferential treatment to business partners,

displaying questionable judgement on duty, including political events and

the manner of entertaining business visitors, encouraging patronage of a

specific hotel near his home in return for accrued benefits, and

breaching force policies on the use of social media and a corporate

credit card. What did the report have to say about those allegations?

Carol, in each case the report states that there was no evidence of

misconduct on the part of Mr Hyde. There are large swathes of evidence

included in this report which examine Mr Hyde's conduct over his

business trips, for example, and his use of social media and his credit

card. In one instance, it is noted he appeared in his swimming gear

before an event in Tunisia and it was agreed that this created what's

called perception issues. There are a large number of recommendations

but they all say the same thing, that Mr Hyde should be given the

appropriate advice. Of course, this goes back to before he went back to

work. He is not guilty of misconduct. Can you give us an

impression of the scale and nature of the investigation? Yes, it is

incredibly detailed. It went on for some considerable time, involving a

number of Welsh officers. Officers from Wales examined a house and

e`mails from Mr Hyde's account. They spoke to British Airways about his

travel plans and examined his tweets and postings on social media. What

is he is doing now? He is back at work and back in his role. He was

temporary Chief Constable at the time of suspension, he is back at

work as deputy Chief Constable and we understand he will retire at the

end of December. Thank you very much, Mark.

A planned strike by firefighters tomorrow evening has been suspended.

The union and governments are in a dispute over pensions but the union

has called off the striker 's lunchtime, after progress in talks.

A gas and pipeline scheme which could power 75,000 homes has been

given the go`ahead for the North York Moors. Developers say it was

prompted by the dramatic rises in the cost of energy. Yesterday,

British Gas hiked its prices by just over 10% for electricity and over 8%

for gas. This follows price rises last week by SSE. The development is

on the site of a mothballed gas field at Ebbertson Moor near

Scarborough. Adrian Pitches reports. Protected but containing precious

resources. And for years in exceptional circumstances, drilling

for gas has been allowed in the national park. The site under

discussion first opened in the 1960s but flooding meant extracting

natural gas from Ebberston Moor became impossible. New, technology's

changed that and the company that owns the site believes gas here

could power over 75,000 homes for at least the next decade. `` new

technology has changed that. Now, the national park authority's

approved the scheme and the pipeline that would link it to a gas plant at

Knapton in the south. But does this open the floodgates for drilling in

the national park? For instance, does it bring the controversial

fracking process ` the extraction of shale gas reserves ` one step

closer? That is a completely different ball game. No, I do not

think we consider that conventional gas approval gives tacit consent to

shield gas. It is a different type of mining. There are more

implications and we will have to look at that, if it comes. But

environmentalists believe it's a slippery slope, that such decisions

bring about death by 1000 cuts and no circumstance is exceptional

enough. Do we want to turn our National Park, a real natural asset

bringing in millions of tourist every year, into an industrial

playground for developers? We have seen several developments over the

last few years which really demean the National Park. But the authority

says the decision protects existing jobs and creates new ones, as well

as potentially adding much needed supplies to our gas network. They

hope that could eventually lead to a drop in prices for the consumer.

The new King's Priory Academy in Tynemouth was officially opened by

Labour peer Lord Adonis this morning. Celebrations at both the

primary and secondary schools marked the end of the first half term.

King's Priory is the first academy in the country formed from the

merger of a state school and an independent school, a merger that

was opposed by North Tyneside Council. There has been controversy

about it but it was something that never really distracted us from the

preparations for the opening of the Academy. It is not a distraction now

in retrospect either. Or focus has always been an bringing these two

schools together and building them into this one fabulous institution.

There is clearly very strong local support. It has been oversubscribed

even in its first year. Its numbers are going up sharply. The real test

of an education system is what the parents wanted it is that that is

very clear that the parents here want to see this new academy and

they strongly supported. A County Durham man says he could be

forced to sell his house to pay his legal bills, after his dog bit a

postman. `` strongly support it. It all happened back in 2008, when the

postman passed Paul Race's home in Fishburn. He was ordered to pay

?1500 in compensation. But he's now been handed a bill for legal costs

of nearly?70,000. Stuart Whincup reports.

This is Rocky. He doesn't know it but he's been accused of attacking

the postman. His owner, Paul, claimed it was only a nip and his

pointer acted in self defence. But after a five year battle, which

included a trip to London's Appeal Court, he was left with a legal bill

of ?70,000. It is highway robbery, as far as I can see. If I wanted to

pay it on the County Court order they would send the bailiffs round

and tell me out `` toss me out of my house.

Paul blames the compensation culture and "no win, no fee" companies. But

Simpson Millar Solicitors has defended its costs, saying they

increased because of Mr Race's behaviour. Before the case came

here, the firm said he continually tried to delay proceedings then

attempted to change as the and on top of that, refused an earlier

settlement of ?6,000 in compensation and costs to pursue his legal

challenge. The company said the postman was the subject of a

distressing attack and entitled to compensation. And the legal firm

says it sought a swift and reasonable settlement. But that's

not the view of Mr Race. It is the American tract of wherever is blamed

is a claim. This regard of what size it is. It is just not proportionate

at all. Paul believes the case would never have even made it to court if

his was dog had been called Fluffy instead of Rocky.

And you can have your say on this story on our Facebook page. The

address is on your screen now. Payday and doorstep lenders have

been accused of preying upon the poor and vulnerable after a study

carried out on Teesside. Durham University looked at the debt

problems of 24 families across Stockton and Middlesbrough. As our

Political Editor Richard Moss reports, the researchers now want

tighter regulation of the industry. Like many, Eleanor Eamens is feeling

the pinch. So when she was offered a ?100 loan by a doorstep lender, she

thought it would help. But soon the mum of five from Northumberland had

six separate loans, owed ?4,000 and was choosing between the weekly

payments and feeding her family. I chose to borrow, somebody did not

make me. But when you are on a low income and you need that money, it

is so tempting and they did not ever look on whether you had other debts

to pay. So they did not have a clue whether you could afford it.

And Eleanor's experience was also typical of the 24 low income

families from Teesside studied by Durham University over the last two

years. Their debts ranged from ?340 to ?10,000. After one month, two

months, three months, they soon found they had a huge debt which

they were saddled with and desperate about. Some had moved house, some

had gone off incognito to try and get rid of this. Many of them had

mental health problems which were quite severe. The researchers want

high cost credit companies to be forced to do affordability checks

before agreeing loans. But some in the industry believe they are

already well`regulated. Julio Martino says he does check whether

clients can pay, and they appreciate the service. We are essentially

lending to people who cannot get credit cards, cannot get credit from

the bank. They need credit elsewhere and there are companies like myself

who are willing to take a slightly greater risk, in some circumstances,

to lend to these people who do need credit.

Eleanor Eamens is now almost debt`free and saving with a local

credit union. But the Durham University research suggests many

more are still trying to cope with unaffordable debt.

More on that pay day loans on Sunday Politics, that's at 11am on Sunday

morning on BBC One. There is plenty more to come. A

village campaigns to save if famous bakery, swapping bats for bikes,

cricket players past and present set off on a big cycling challenge. And

low pressure is in charge of the weekend.

That means the rain will never be that far away but stays fairly mild.

Join me for the full forecast later. Northumberland's largest

manufacturer, Egger, has invested over ?200 million in its Hexham site

over the last six years. And today, a new engineering facility and

training academy has been opened, which will be used by 40

apprentices. It will also boost training for the company's other 500

employees. Julie Smith took a look around.

This is Northumberland's largest manufacturing employer, creating

wood panels at the site that was acquired 30 years ago. Today, it

remains a key part of the group's operation. So that is why ?200

million has been invested here, bringing it up to date with a new

factory that runs a 24/7 operation. Today, the new engineering facility

and training academy to pass on skills to support this operation was

opened. The whole departments are under one roof and everything that

is needed to maintain the plant can be made on site. The technology is

quite advanced and quite unique so it needs specialist people to

operate it and maintain them and keep them running. That is why we

feel it is beneficial for a business like ours, who has two compete in

the marketplace, to generate our own people, particularly from around the

area. The Academy will support future trainees and employees,

making the new facility is an important part of developing this

does this. Can gain knowledge from the older workers. You can look and

say that you made that. Opposite, the lad to have been there for years

can say that they did all this. But it is nice to be that you concede

the things around here that you have done. Over ten get better at it, new

apprentices will be until we can teach them and will give something

back. The group has just announced further investment of ?50 million.

It is to replace all the technology over the next five years. `` older

technology. An award`winning Cumbrian country

bakery which has been championed by famous names is facing an uncertain

future. The owners of the Village Bakery in the village of Melmerby

say it's not making money and want to turn it into housing. People in

the village are opposing the plans and, as Graham Moss found out, a key

planning decision has gone in their favour.

It's an idylllic setting. Melmerby nestles on the Cumbrian fellside, on

the road over Hartside Pass. The Village Bakery has been widely

celebrated as one of the success stories for a craft business in the

countryside. Prince Charles paid a visit, as did the Hairy Bikers. Sir

Paul McCartney is a fan. But the owners say the business is losing

money and submitted plans for housing. The business has put this

village on the international map, not just nationally but

internationally known. And while we realise that the company cannot be

expected to run the business at a loss, we think that the business use

of the premises is important and it should be advertised for sale. In

difficult trading times, it seems a well`known brand is no guarantee of

business success. Planning officials recommended that the scheme for

three houses on the site should be given the go`ahead. The councillors

themselves took a different view. They voted 10`1 against. I think it

restores your faith in democracy, to a certain extent. We are very

pleased. It was 10`1 so I think it proves that we had a point in the

first place. You know, it is not over yet. They could still change it

in a months time, at the next meeting. Hollesley Bay will not and

we really hope that the company will put the site on the market. ``

hopefully they will not. The business owners, Bells of

Lazonby, didn't want to be interviewed but in a statement,

Michael Bell told Look North... Bells says it's dismayed by the

rejection of planning permission for housing. In the meantime, the

Village Bakery continues to trade with plans into the New Year.

Beautiful. Premier League is back, I am riled Lyon form. You missed it

last week. Did it start last week? The international break deprived

Sunderland's new Head Coach, Gus Poyet, of several players, ahead of

his first game at Swansea tomorrow. But he has been able to spend some

quality time with his defenders and strikers. The Black Cats need to

improve at both ends of the pitch, if they're to climb off the foot of

the Premier League table. Key to Sunderland's survival will be

keeping their best players fit. Defender Wes Brown is back on the

training ground and much will be expected of fit`again Scotland

international striker Steven Fletcher. The new boss wants in time

to see his side playing attractive and winning football. I think it is

a better feeling for a fan. When you go to the stadium and see your team

playing the way you enjoy watching, there is not better than that. Of

course you need to win, there is no thinking that we are going to play

better and not win. The idea is to do things together and it is

possible and I am convinced that we can do it. That presumably includes

the talented but inconsistent winger Adam Johnson, who's hoping a more

attacking role will boost his chances of an England re`call. He's

noticed a big change in the atmosphere at the training ground

since Poyet's arrival. I mean, it has been sort of like a breath of

fresh. Everybody's enjoying it and we are working hard but on the other

hand, we have also been enjoying playing football, getting of back to

that. Nowadays, if you know how to treat your players and be good with

everyone, I think you can be a good manager. It is not Mrs Ali all about

what you have done to be a good manager. It is about common sense

and knowing how to treat players. `` it is not Mrs Farrelly.

It's not clear just how well, or badly, Alan Pardew's mixed

assessment on national TV of Mike Ashley's football decision`making

went down with the Newcastle owner. But while the Newcastle manager's

positive response to adversity on the pitch has led to a climb up the

table, there's no room for complacency as the Magpies' upcoming

fixtures look pretty tough. Premier League games against four of the top

six. And next week's Wear`Tyne derby. First up, tomorrow lunchtime,

a visit from Liverpool, who've featured in some of Pardew's best

and worst moments on Tyneside. It's coming up to Alan Pardew's

third anniversary at St James' Park. His first game in charge, in

mid`December of 2010, a 3`1 win over the Reds, which had Kevin Nolan

dancing with joy and the current England boss Roy Hodgson rubbing his

eyes in disbelief. Let's hope we don't see any of that in Rio. Late

last season, though, the Mersysiders had their revenge ` a 6`0 thrashing

which, not surprisingly, still gives the manager nightmares. It is a game

that you don't ever want to happen but it does sometimes in a season.

It is probably the heaviest defeat I have had as a manager and you have

to, you know, make sure it does not happen again and try and build

yourself up. We did after that. You have to use it and take some

positive out of it that it will not happen again.

Middlesbrough go in search of back`to`back wins for the first time

this season, when they take on the Championship's bottom club,

Barnsley, tomorrow. Tony Mowbray's side will be boosted by their first

home victory of the campaign, against Yeovil, before the

international break. Boro are 16th in the table ` not helped by six

draws from their 11 games, with just two league wins so far. But the

manager says confidence is still high. When you are not losing

football matches, it doesn't erode the confidence that much. Belief in

the squad is still pretty strong and high that we can have a good

season. We have to build it up and obviously if you can finish the

season strong it is better than starting the season strong. That is

what we would hope, is that we can build up from this point and keep

going and build some real momentum and be strong after the New Year.

And there'll be full commentary of Boro's trip to South Yorkshire on

BBC Tees from 2pm tomorrow afternoon.

Boro's In League One, BBC Radio Cumbria

listeners can hear if Carlisle can continue their revival under new

boss Graham Kavanagh at Oldham. In League One, BBC Radio Cumbria

listeners can hear if Elsewhere, in`form Hartlepool take on Plymouth,

and York travel to Newport in League Two. And Berwick are at home to

Clyde in Scottish League Two. It hosted Ashes cricket and a county

Championship celebration, in the summer. And at breakfast time this

morning, Durham's International Cricket Ground in Chester`le`Street

was the starting point for a mammoth fund`raising cycling challenge, as

players past and present swapped their bats for bikes. Here's Mark

again. The Big Bike Ride will see a group

of 70 cyclists ride 441 miles over five days from Durham to London via

several leading cricket grounds, including Headingley in Leeds. It's

been organised by the Professional Cricketers' Association to raise

?200,000 for the PCA Development Fund and the Tom Maynard Trust, in

memory of the young cricket star who died at just 23. The cricket family

is an amazing place and you get to meet people along the way and

Polmont touched a lot of people in his short life and they are here to

raise money for the trust. `` home touched a lot of people. . We will

help people aspire to. And having shone at Steve Harmison's benefit

football match in Ashington, what's the Durham wicketkeeper's cycling

like? This could be a bit of a trek but my football was not too bad so

hopefully I can pull this off. The ride ends at Lord's cricket ground.

Mark Tulip, BBC Look North. When international sports teams come

to the region, they stay in the plushest hotels and seclude

themselves behind high walls, right? Most of the time. Well, not in the

case of Fiji's Rugby League World Cup squad.

Yes, for the last few days they've been staying at Scotch Corner and

being fed at a pub in a little village near Richmond. Why? Well, as

Gerry Jackson found out, even for Fijians, it's a small world.

You know that feeling. You just want a quiet drink down the local and you

can't even get to the bar. I'll be with you any minute. As for peace

and quiet, not this week at the George and Dragon at Hudswell. All

35 players and coaching staff of Fiji's World Cup squad are here.

This is their battle hymn. THE PLAYERS SAYING

All this week, the nation's finest Rugby League players have been

getting breakfast, lunch and dinner here. It's been lively. Buzzing,

absolutely buzzing. The locals have been coming into an meat and greet

them and have a look. Because of the size of some of them, it is quite

scary. The team won't be playing World Cup matches anywhere near here

but Catterick Garrison is just a few miles down the road. Generations of

Fijian soldiers have served there and many live in this area. And the

expertise to cook them what they like or rather what their coaches

demand is right here. It is a big, huge responsibility for me and my

chefs and all the staff as well because feeding 35 people every

day... It is like feeding with double the population. Each of the

need for two men. It is good seeing the English countryside. The view

has been good and the people are good. It has been really relaxing

and it is going to be a very big boost for the boys. We have had a

great time in Yorkshire. You know, the company has been great. The

hospitality has been terrific and it is a little bit more relaxed which

suits the boys. Sadly, the boys are about to move

South. They'll enjoy one more night of local hospitality. In the

meantime, if one of them spills your pint ` let it go.

And there is a Fijian festival in the pub tonight. Let's have a look

at the weather. Plenty of it. The rain has been

topping up the rivers and we started off the week by showing you this

salmon making its way up the river and this character has been

following them all the way up to Chester`le`Street. Thank you to Rob

for that shot. That must be ten miles from the minds of the river.

This is also impressive. This is the meeting of the new Mister and Mrs

Versailles. Decent weather. `` the wedding. One of the bright's

pedigree sheep taking pride of place. If your hobby is an outdoor

one, there is a chance you will get wet. A lot of rain this evening and

overnight. Through the early hours of the morning, the rain starts to

become a little bit more intermittent and spots develop. The

temperatures will stay well. There is a brisk southeasterly wind. It is

a bit of a grey starts tomorrow morning. There will be some

outbreaks of friends of the morning. They will tend to be the road

towards lunchtime. For the afternoon, we will start to see

brighter spells develop. `` some outbreaks of rain. Could see another

outbreak of rain edging its way into western parts of Cumbria later on.

Temperatures are reasonable. A later southerly breeze. It should feel

quite pleasant. That is the picture for tomorrow. It is this band that

brings those heavy showers tomorrow evening. For Sunday, we have still

got low pressure in charge. It will feed in a fair few showers on the

wind and into the beginning of next week, it stays unsettled. This rain

will hold back for a while, eventually reaching us on Monday and

Tuesday. Very changeable. The rain will never be that far away. I think

some early rain on Saturday and again late rain in the West. In

between, some decent, dry, brighter spells. On Sunday, some heavy and

bright `` some heavy showers and bright spells. You might get away

with a dry day on Monday before the rain returns on Tuesday. At least as

is reasonably miles. Desperate C 's top that is that from

ours. We are going to leave you with more of the calming tones of the

Fijian World Cup rugby league squad. From us, good night. Had a good

weekend. THEY SING A HYMN