31/01/2014 Midlands Today

That's all from the BBC News at Six, so it's goodbye from me, and on BBC

Hello and welcome to Midlands Today. The headlines: police to introduce a

nice surrender to get weapons of city streets. We have seen a slight

increase over the last 12 months. Tonight the family of a teenager

stabbed to death calls for tougher sentences on knife crime. Also

tonight... I am live where the river seven continues to rise and should

peak overnight. I'll be here later with all the details on how much

rain we can expect, and why strong winds are just going to add to the

problem. Your full weekend forecast coming up later. ?1.2 million, the

cost of the new library of Birmingham website. It was not put

out to tender. The council says it is value for money. Heidi finally

gets the music breakthrough. She beat 80,000 people to win a singing

competition. `` 18,000. Good evening. The Environment Agency

has issued three severe warnings for the River Severn in Gloucestershire

and there's another 21 warnings in place in the Midlands. Flood

barriers have been erected along the River Severn in Shrewsbury,

Ironbridge and Bewdley, where our reporter Ben Godfrey is this

evening. So, Ben, how are things looking there tonight? We have had

between ten and 20 millimetres of rain today. The barriers have been

installed. They are three feet high at the moment. More rain is planned

and that is of concern. How concerned are you by the levels here

tonight? The levels have been rising here all day. Nothing to concern us

at the moment. Probably another but also to go. They are doing their job

at the moment. Let's talk about the River Severn in Gloucestershire

tonight with some severe weather warnings in place. Some high tides

are connected with the surge of water. That is potentially quite

significant. What kind of a risk will it be tomorrow? It is very

complicated to predict what will happen. There is the combination of

high tides, fresh water and sewage or meeting together. In some areas

it may get over the top of flood defences. I know you are concerned

about days ahead. It is a very unsettled outlook. More rain on

Monday and Tuesday. The rivers are already high and the catchments are

saturated. Through next week we could see levels building again. You

can see the levels are very high at the moment. There are pins down here

which are covered. These areas are used to being filled with water at

times of flooding. The message they want to get across is that they are

open for business this weekend and people can access the area. Rebecca

will have the full forecast later. You can keep up`to`date with the

latest flood warnings, travel news and weather on your local radio

station this weekend. A Burton on Trent brewery switches a new

production line on. Happy Chinese New Year. The campaign for an

archway to mark Birmingham 's Chinese quarter. The family of a

teenager stabbed to death after a fight in Birmingham are calling for

tougher sentences for those found guilty of knife crime. 15`year`old

Hassan Mahmood died last summer. Two people have been stabbed in the city

in the past 24 hours, one of them fatally. Today West Midlands Police

said they would be introducing a knife surrender as a way of getting

knives off the streets of the city. This man knows the true cost of

knife crime. His 15`year`old nephew was stabbed to death in Birmingham

last July by another teenager. The whole process of seeing the body and

going to hospital and having to bury him. It was just terrible. The

17`year`old killer was found guilty of murder this week. When he is

sentenced next month, the judge must send a message. You'll Athey need to

give out life sentences. They should give them full life sentences. That

is the only way to deter them from doing it. Six months on, knife crime

afflicts Birmingham. Police were called to reports of a disturbance.

The 31`year`old victim was rushed to hospital but died there later.

Yesterday afternoon, a 17`year`old boy was stabbed and seriously

injured. A 15`year`old is being questioned. The community lurker and

part`time radio presenter says more needs to be done. We have asked for

a life amnesty. We want better education in schools. People must be

made more aware of the consequences of carrying knives. A spate of

killings in Birmingham last autumn caused horror and revulsion. Police

concede it has been a bad 12 months but say overall they are making

progress against knife crime. We have seen a slight increase. It is

hard to put contacts to rent `` a context around each and everyone of

them. We need to redouble efforts with everyone. To that end, the

police are planning a nice surrender, a variation on the

amnesty. The killer will be sentenced in four weeks time.

Birmingham City Council has confirmed tonight it's reviewing its

?120 million a year contract with service company Capita. Since 2006,

Capita has run the city's IT, call centre and billing services. The

contract was extended to 2021. But tonight the council say they don't

know how much it would cost to break the Service Birmingham contract.

Capita has been criticised for charging over a million pounds to

build the new Library of Birmingham website. But the council insist it

is value for money. Our Correspondent David Gregory`Kumar

has been investigating. A modern library needs a website,

but did Birmingham's cost a lot more than it needed to? FOI requests

reveal the new Library of Birmingham website cost ?1.2 million pounds and

an extra ?190,000 a year to maintain. Compare that to another

shiny new library, The Hive in Worcester, their website cost

?10,000. And Shropshire Council say the ongoing costs of their library

website are just over 1000 pounds Even if you compare Birmingham to

another new UK superlibrary the costs are high. There is not much

colour in it. It is simple and does the job. It is keeping the costs

town. Why do you want to keep costs down? We cannot afford it. That is

honest. We cannot afford to do that. Austerity has made us change the way

we things. Even if you compare Birmingham with another UK super

library, the costs are still high. Liverpool Council spent ?50m on

their refurbished Central Library. But they told us the website cost

them four hours of staff time updating pictures and tweaking text.

Like Shropshire it was all done in house. Birmingham out sourced the

job to a company called Capita. And the Library website is by no means

the biggest contract Capita has with Birmingham Council. They also have a

multi`million pound deal to run IT, call centre and billing services.

Capita Service Birmingham. But the details are secret and critics want

it released. Way too much money has been spent. It could be done at half

the cost. That contract could have been cancelled 18 months ago. I

could have been wrong. Capita told us they agreed publication back in

October last year. The council say today it could be published by the

end of February. Only then will it be possible to tell if the

multi`million pound Capita Service Birmingham contract is a good deal

for the city. I spoke to the Deputy Leader of

Birmingham City Council, Ian Ward earlier this afternoon. I asked him

if the contract to design and run the website for the Library of

Birmingham was put out to tender. Well, this contract was market

tested. You need to remember it was not a contract that I set up. It was

set up by the previous Conservative ` Liberal Democrat administration.

When I came into office, the first thing we did was to have it

independently validated by an outside organisation. Their report

confirmed the contract was value for money for the city council and that

there was value in continuing with it. We have to deliver more for less

money and that is why we are renegotiated the contract. Where are

you with the renegotiation? The core contract costs ?15 million. We have

said we will reduce that by ?20 million for the next financial

year. That is built into the budget. We are negotiating to see what

exactly that will mean. There will be a ?20 million reduction. At the

same time, we are considering all the other possible options. The

detail of the spend, the breakdown of that, it is not available to your

taxpayers. Published accounts are available. The 2013/2014 numbers

will come out. The details of the contract we have with Catheter, many

of those details of commercially sensitive and are not published.

Having said all of that, we are going to publish the contract on the

website. All of the commercially sensitive information will be

redacted. When will that be? By the end of February. The contract is due

to end in 2021, how much will it cost to terminate it early? There is

no figure. We are involved in negotiations as to what the figure

will be. Said there was no figure put on an early termination? There

was no figure, no. We have agreement about termination of the contract.

There are various conditions set around that. It would not be normal

to put an actual number into the contract. There is an agreement in

place about early termination? There is. We have driven value out of this

contract. We need to be clear as to what is the best way forward and the

most cost`effective way for the council. A former head teacher from

Stoke`on`Trent has pleaded guilty to a series of sex offences. Robert

Haines, who held the post at Thistley Hough School in Penkhull

has admitted two counts of sexual activity with a child while in a

position of trust, five of making indecent images of children, and a

further charge of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual

activity. He'll be sentenced later. Detectives are questioning a

22`year`old man in connection with the murder of a woman in the

Worcestershire village of Hanbury. School Road has been closed all day

as forensic officers carry out their investigations. Officers were called

to a house yesterday at 4:35pm. They attended a female in her 40s who had

suffered a number of stab wounds. The lady died at the scene. Two

companies in the West Midlands have announced major investments today.

The Burton`based brewery Marston's has opened a ?7.4 million pound new

bottling line. And flybe confirmed it is making Birmingham Airport its

largest UK base. The company is introducing seven new routes out of

the airport and creating 50 new jobs. What we have done is make sure

we are focusing on the areas of growth and good profit. In areas of

the country which are not so great we have had to change our programme

a bit. This is a good news story for the West Midlands and Birmingham. In

Burton, the multi million pound investment in Marstons also

benefited local companies who built the new bottling line. It comes as

overall beer sales have risen, and are at their strongest rate for a

decade. Here's our Staffordshire reporter. Burton's MP switching on

the new line which will fill 18,000 bottles of beer an hour. It's an

investment which comes as the brewery's gearing up for increased

production. We are seeing a real resurgence. Drinkers are recognising

that cask ale is interesting, flavoursome and great to drink. They

are coming back to beer. They are also getting new drinkers. It is

great to see women, who are recognising how wonderful British

beer is. In the last year there has been an increase in the number of

points sold. More of us are drinking beer at home and it is due to the

good weather in the summer. And it's that increase in supermarket sales

that's behind the building of this new line. This line will be running

for I suspect well over 25`year is. This really does secure the jobs for

the company in Burton on Trent and the people who work for Marstons.

Other firms in Burton have benefitted too. This is Briggs, a

company that's been in the town since 1740. It makes stainless steel

tanks and has supplied the brewery with new equipment for the

production line. When we won the project, we all acknowledge this is

a very important contract, not only for bricks but for the town. The

economy has suffered over the last few years. Being supported by

Marstons with the order was very important. This line's now up and

running seven days a week, continuing the long and proud

tradition that makes Burton Britain's brewing capital.

The Prime Minister 's right`hand man at Westminster has dismissed claims

that the economic recovery is limited to London. The Parliamentary

private sector is of David Cameron said the study does not paint an

accurate picture of the economy in the West Midlands but is showing

signs of recovery. We are seeing a massive growth in the Midlands. In

my constituency you can see unemployment down to 1.9%. You can

see investment with Jaguar Land Rover building a new engine plant.

Manufacturing is starting to plough ahead. In the Midlands, we are in a

premier position to benefit. And you can see more on this on the Sunday

Politics at 11am on Sunday with Elizabeth Glinka. This is our top

story tonight: Police to introduce a knife surrender to get weapons off

the city streets ` as the family of a teenager stabbed to death calls

for tougher sentences. Rebecca's standing by with the weekend

forecast. A warning it'll be wet. Also in tonight's programme... It

could be their biggest deal in the Midlands on transfer deadline day as

Stoke City agree a deal with Sunderland for Lee Cattermole.

It's Chinese New Year and a campaign is being launched tonight to raise

money to pay for an arch to mark the entrance to Birmingham's Chinese

quarter. It's one of the few major cities in the UK without one.

Lindsay Doyle is in Chinatown tonight, so Lindsay how much could

this all cost? It will cost an astonishing ?1 million. I am told

the Chinese community is confident it can raise that money. Birmingham

is one of the last cities in the country with a large, vibrant

community not to have an arch. Liverpool, London and Manchester all

have one and Newcastle have two. I am joined by the chair of the

Chinese Festival community. Apologies. We seem to have a problem

down in the Chinese quarter. Now, it is transfer deadline day. We only

have a few hours left. Dan has the details. Stoke City have agreed a

fee with Sunderland for the midfielder Lee Cattermole in what's

likely to be the biggest deal in the Midlands on transfer deadline day.

But while Premier League clubs across the country have been

spending millions lower down the divisions it's all about trying to

find a bargain. It has been one of those days when the assistant

managers get to meet the media because the managers are too busy

doing deals. This is Lee Cattermole, the man Stoke City believes will add

extra bite to their midfield and beef up their bid to avoid

relegation. He has attributes which can enhance any club. He is a good

footballer as well. He is certainly a player that can bring good

qualities to any side. Signing a new player in the January transfer

window can be a massive gamble. This month, Premier League clubs have

spent ?100 million foot at a very different story in the championship

for Birmingham City. When Southampton release Aaron Martin,

they snapped him up. There is no money to spend on wages. At West

Bromwich, what did Pepe Mel make of it? Maybe two, three new players

here. Midlands clubs have not exactly been splashing the cash. The

main moves have been away from him. Wolves are a classic example of

that. Lee Griffiths, one of three strikers who left today. Beyond

cygnets and has gone on loan to a Norwegian club.

Three strikers out the door. What about the ones that got away? There

are bound to be dozens of those. Wes Houlihan, midfielder with Norwich

City. They were reluctant to sell because Paul Lambert did not want to

sell to him. We thought West Bromwich Albion might come into that

that has come to nothing as well. The transfer window stays open until

11pm. All those that do go through will be listed on the BBC Sport

website. And let's not forget it's a big weekend for Rugby with the start

of the Six Nations. And what a prospect for Gloucester's Jonny May.

The biggest game of his life, without a doubt. He needs to play

for England against France in Paris. He is 23 and a winger. He says he

just cannot wait. It is probably the biggest thing for a World Cup in

terms of rivalry between the home nations and the way the nation gets

behind each of its team. It will be amazing with France being such a

passionate Nason. `` nation. I have heard the stadium is amazing. I

think he is right. Let's get back to the Chinese quarter. Hopefully we

have re`established the line. I am joined by Jeffrey from the Chinese

Festival community in Birmingham. We were talking about the magnificent

arch, what will it look like? It will go across the road. We are

starting to fund raise tonight. It is a vibrant area. Hopefully

businesses will get behind it and also the Birmingham public to buy a

brick and we will get an arch built in Birmingham. Wonderful! We deserve

one. What plans to rehab for Sunday? It is a free event. The street is

shut and a fairground. Come down and enjoy yourself. All that remains to

be said is to wish you a happy New Year from the Chinese quarter. Just

as Heidi Browne was on the verge of giving up on her dream of being a

singer, after ten years of trying and accepting a job in engineering,

her path's taken an unexpected twist. She beat more than 8,000

people to take the Open Mic UK title. Ben Sidwell's been to meet

the Shropshire singer`song writer. A warning his report contains flashing

images. The winner is... Heidi. You can see on the video, I am walking

out in astonishment. Then there is all confetti. My friends were

telling me about what happened. I was like, did it? Did it? Ten days

have completely changed her life. Don't touch my hair... I was meant

to be starting a new job, a sensible career path. I had to bring up and

say, sorry, I cannot do it. I need to devote my time now to music.

Heidi joins the list of winners of Open Mic UK, the most successful

being Birdy, who's gone on to have chart success, including a top ten

album. I sat next to Jake Bugg and he got picked and I was not. Each

time I was the one that was not pushed through. I was starting to

lose heart. This reignited my belief. White rabbit she comes from

a musical background. Her dad is a successful session musician. She has

done everything herself. She is very driven. She has written loads of

songs and has worked really hard. As the winner when she gets ?5,000

towards the development of her career and is set to record her

first single. She's also hoping to tour Europe later this year.

I am sure I am not the only one getting very wet and windswept

today. Rebecca's here with the weather. A warning, she's got a lot

of warnings! Plenty of hazards to come over the

next 48 hours. The first one is ice. Then we move on to strong winds and

some showers by Saturday. Through Sunday, we start to get a brief

respite as things calm down but only for one day. Then we have got

attention turning to flooding. Three severe flood warnings in place

across the Midlands. 21 flood warnings and more than 30 flood

alerts. This rain is coinciding with high spring tides to mark and a

storm surge. If you are concerned, that is the number... The rain is

slowly moving away. Behind that the air is colder. Some could turn a bit

wintry, particularly over high ground. Then the risk of some frost.

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for ice. As we wake

up tomorrow morning, it'll be treacherous and assert. It has all

changed. The yellow weather warning will be. Winds in Hereford and

Shropshire. There will be gusts of up to 60 miles an hour. This will

clear away and they will rattle through the region. Most of the

showers will be scrawny through the day. The possibility of some hail.

Rather unpleasant with the strong winds and rain. Temperatures

hovering between six and eight Celsius. By Sunday, things do come

down briefly. We will start to see perhaps a little bit of sunshine

through Sunday afternoon. It would still be a breezy day. Temperatures

again hovering around seven, eight Celsius. It does not last. By

Monday, we have this next band of rain moving in. There is another

yellow weather warning on that as well and it stays and settled into

the new working week. Tonight's headlines from the BBC... Meredith

Kercher's murder. As guilty verdicts are reinstated for Amanda Knox and

her former boyfriend, she says she will never willingly return to

Italy. Sandbags at the ready. Police to introduce a knife

surrender to get weapons off the city streets, as the family of a

teenager stabbed to death calls for tougher sentences. That was the

Midlands Today. I'll be back at 10pm with the latest ins and outs as the

transfer deadline draws to a close. Have a great evening. Goodbye.