21/02/2014 Midlands Today

A reminder of our main story. Thousands of protest to remain in

And Hello and welcome to Midlands Today. The headlines tonight:

Counting the cost ` as the flood clear`up begins, damage to crops,

homes and businesses is expected to run into millions. This work needs

to be done now. We will find the money to make sure it happens. We'll

be talking to an expert who says the government's offer of ?10 million

help for businesses is just a drop in the ocean. Also tonight: The West

Midlands Chief Constable meets MP Andrew Mitchell to apologise for his

force's part in the Plebgate Affair. We both agreed that the time has now

come to move on from all of this, and I hope we can do that.

Fresh details emerge over the poor care for a diabetic woman who died

at Stafford Hospital seven years ago.

Disappointment for Solihull speed skater Jon Eley in the Winter

Olympics at Sochi. And it has certainly been a better week for the

weather, but with more strong winds and heavy rain to come on Sunday, is

it just a blip or rather storms back? The full we can forecast is

coming up later. `` weekend forecast.

Good evening. The floodwater's beginning to recede across the

Midlands, but it's leaving behind seriously damaged homes,

contaminated land and thousands of potholes. The government has

promised extra money to help with the clean`up. As well as the ?10

million for businesses affected by the floods, there's a separate ?10

million fund for farmers to help restore their water`logged fields.

And ?30 million will be made available for local authorities to

maintain roads. But one Worcestershire farmer says the army

need to stay and help with the clean`up, as manpower's as important

as money. Bob Hockenhull reports. River levels fell significantly in

Worcester overnight, paving the way for an army of workmen to move in.

The task of washing the city clean is a mammoth one, but one the

council is anxious to get on with, whatever the cost. This work needs

to be done quickly, and the council will find the money. We are moving

silt from the pathways. We have got a couple of snowploughs to move the

deep silt. We are also removing fallen trees along the riverside

halfway. A team of 70 people will be involved in the clean`up, which will

carry on through the weekend and well into the next couple of weeks.

Some of those involved have been borrowed from neighbouring councils

to speed up the work. With the full extent of the repair bill becoming

clearer, the council will be applying for Government funds to

help restore the riverside. But one of the region's MEPs says Britain is

missing out by not applying for EU help. Phil Bennion is urging people

to support his petition to press the prime minister into action. This is

money that is available to us. It is our right to claim it. We are aware

of what has been going on in the UK and Ireland in terms of the flooding

damage, and they are expecting a claim. Rural areas need help too. At

Severn Stoke, as the floods start to recede, they're leaving piles of

debris. Farmer Stephen Watkins describes it as "fly`tipping on a

massive scale." He estimates ?60,000 worth of damage, but says it's

manpower he really needs. The Army is here at the moment. They will

disappear back to barracks. Some of these pieces are too big to pick up.

We can pick up a certain amount mechanically. But the glasses tend

to fall through the machinery, so it is difficult. And can we be sure the

worst is over? The problem is, we have more unsettled weather moving

in next week, so we have to keep a close eye on things. I think levels

will start going up again. But we are not expecting levels to be as

high as they were last week. One positive sign ` the Environment

Agency feels it's safe to leave its emergency centre unmanned tonight,

for the first time in 61 days. Herefordshire council has found

nearly 2,000 road problems caused by flooding in the county. Meanwhile,

Worcestershire County Council is increasing the number of its pothole

repair teams working on the roads. Bob Hockenhull is at one of their

depots near Bromsgrove tonight, so how much worse are the roads now

than before the floods, Bob? Quite bad, I think. The man to answer that

question is John Fraser from the highways department of

Worcestershire county council. I think you have got of teams out

repairing a big problem with potholes. We have hardly had a

chance to catch our breath. After the floods, it was literally all

hands to the pump . Now our attention has turned to potholes,

because water damage on the road as good baboons with what holes. Give

us an idea of the extent of how many potholes you are dealing with. Over

the last couple of weeks, we have repaired 1000, considerably more

than we would have to at this time of year. But we have doubled our

inspectors. They are out on the road looking for potholes, and we have

doubled the number of guys repairing them. What can members of the public

do if the damage their cars or if they spot potholes on the roads? We

always encourage people to let us know about problems on the roads.

They can report online, via a smartphone, or give us a call. And

have you got the money to do the repairs? Yes, we have got an extra

three quarters of a million which we have into potholes repairs just for

this period. If the winter and cold weather gets worse more we are

prepared for it. There you have had it from the man himself. Even if

councils are cash`strapped because of budget cuts, they will be

spending the money needed to keep the roads safe.

Joining us now is Dr Steve McCabe from Birmingham City University's

Business School, who believes the government's ?10 million offer to

help businesses recover from the floods is a "drop in the ocean".

Good evening to you. ?10 million certainly sounds a lot of money, why

isn't it enough? Well, the insurance claims will come to over ?1 billion

in the short term, and the problem will only get worse. It is going to

be a perennial problem. But funds have to be fined under `` finite.

They have already given millions to farmers, roads and rail. It can't go

on for ever. But if we don't do something about flood defences, the

problems will only get worse. So how far do you think the government has

to take the blame for the damage and heartache 's well, when the

government came to power, they claimed we have a public finance

problem, so they cut the defences for flooding. It is of the order of

about 20% in real terms. So this was a problem they would have known

about. Something like half a million homes are in danger of flooding, and

the problem will get worse. What do they have to do about it? They have

to spend more money on construction. That means putting in flood

defences, up and down the country. There is a problem with global

warming. We are not going to stop burning fossil fuels, and therefore

flooding is going to be a problem for the foreseeable future. And it

is not just the current damage the money is needed for, it is

protection? If you have been flooded, this used to be a once in a

hundred year event. It is going to be a recurring problem. Why do you

say that? Because it is not going to stop raining! But surely this event

was fairly freakish? If you look at the couple of years ago, coming up

to the Olympics, we had some flooding during the summer. Thank

you very much. And there's more about flooding

later in the programme. We'll be visiting a company in Worcestershire

which has landed deals worth millions to make flood defences.

A court's been hearing more details about the poor care that a diabetic

patient received at Stafford Hospital before her death. Gillian

Astbury died in April 2007 after two nurses failed to give her insulin.

Today the Mids Staffordshire NHS Trust was in court to be sentenced

after pleading guilty to failing to ensure Gillian Astbury's safety. Our

reporter Liz Copper was at Stafford Crown Court. What did the

prosecution say today, Liz? This was a case that had transferred from the

magistrates court to the Crown Court because the magistrates felt that

their sentencing powers were not sufficient. So we heard the

prosecution outlined the case, and it is a case that was brought by the

Health and Safety Executive. The prosecution focused on two main

areas of the treatment that Gillian asked bring received while she was

in Staffordshire Hospital. They focused on the record`keeping and

the notes taken of the treatment, and also the handovers between staff

who were on different ship while she was in the hospital. According to

the prosecution, there was no effective management, oversight or

control. They described Gillian Astbury's death as wholly avoidable.

The trust has pleaded guilty to these breaches. It accepts

responsibility, and that is why the trust is being prosecuted in this

case and not any individual. So what have the Mid Staffordshire trust

said in their defence? Their defence submissions centred mostly around

the level of the fine that the judge will set. They described this case

as unique. The judge summed up their submissions as coming under three

main headings. Firstly, that this is a trust that has been punished

enough. This trust has learned its lessons. And also, that to impose a

hefty fine could potentially have an impact on innocent patients and

staff. Yes, the case is being heard at the Crown Court because of the

potential level of the fine, but this could have serious implications

for a trust which is already in financial trouble? Well, the judge

described the balancing act he will have to deal with as an essential

conundrum of this sort of case. He said it was a very important case

which will have implications beyond Stafford. That is why he will take

his time and consider the submissions before he hands down his

judgement. West Mercia Police are investigating

the deaths of a number of patients who were under the care of a

consultant surgeon working for the Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS

Trust in 2012. Sudip Sarker was suspended by the Trust last October,

and his work is also under investigation by the General Medical

Council,. The trust said a review of patients who'd come into contact

with Mr Sarker was taking place. A woman from Halesowen has admitted

driving the wrong way along the M5 for four miles whilst under the

influence of alcohol. 26`year`old care assistant Katy Homer was

stopped by officers in December. CCTV footage showed the car being

driven into the path of vehicles, including heavy goods lorries.

She'll be sentenced at Wolverhampton Crown Court on 28 March.

A Worcestershire man's forgiven the company behind the explosion that

caused him to suffer a double amputation. The blast, at Filtration

Service Engineering in Kidderminster in December 2011, cost 51`year`old

Clive Dainty both his legs. The firm's been ordered to pay more than

?45,000 in fines and costs for breaching the Health and Safety Act.

Mr.Dainty says he's now focused on rebuilding his life. It is no use

sitting back, feeling sorry for yourself. There is no point. Just

get on with it. That is my advice to anybody who is unfortunate to have

injuries like this, or any limbs missing. Just get on with your life.

The West Midlands Chief Constable Chris Sims has met Andrew Mitchell

to apologise for his force's part in the Plebgate Affair. After a private

meeting in the Conservative MP's constituency office in Sutton

Coldfield, he said he was grateful for what was now the fifth apology

he'd received from a chief police officer. Andrew Mitchell was

speaking exclusively to our Political Editor Patrick Burns,

who's here now. How exactly did this meeting come about? I think it had

been coming, when you consider that Chris Sims is already one of three

local chief constables who had sent a written apology to Mr Mitchell.

David Shaw from West mercy had been to London to see him in person. So

today's encounter did have a certain air of inevitability about it.

The pressure on Andrew Mitchell seems to ease with every passing

day. Not on the police, though. Today's meeting was in the same

offices where in October 2012, Mr Mitchell had had his fateful meeting

with three Police Federation representatives, including one from

the West Midands. Chief Constable, what are you going to apologise for?

I have got a private meeting. At the time, the Federation accused him of

failing to give an adequate account of his part in the Downing Street

confrontation. But it later emerged that Mr Mitchell had secretly

recorded the meeting, and had answered questions at length, and

repeatedly denied calling the Downing Street police officers

"plebs". The Chief Constable had little to add to the conversation. I

have just had a private meeting. You feel that draws a line under it?

That is the Mr Mitchell to say, rather than me. I will have to throw

that question at you now. It seems we are a long way from drawing a

line under this sorry saga? We certainly are, when you consider

that the law still has to take its course and goodness knows how long

that will take. The Independent Police Complaints Commission is

looking into the details, as is the home affairs select committee, but

when you talk to Andrew Mitchell himself, you get a sense that he at

last feels the tide is starting to flow his way. I am grateful to the

chief constable for coming to apologise to me and my family. We

both agreed that the time has now come to move on from this, and I

hope we can do that. What exactly did he apologise for? Well, he is

the fifth senior police officer who has apologised. I and my family are

grateful to all of them for what they have said. It was a private

meeting. All of which raises the question when and if he may be

recalled to high office. Whatever happens with the formalities, it is

now a matter of political judgement as we enter a critical phase in

politics. This is our top story tonight:

Counting the cost: as the flood clear`up begins, damage to crops,

homes and businesses is expected to run into millions.

We have the weekend weather forecast coming up in a moment from Rebecca `

a bit mixed, I think. Also in tonight's programme: A wolf

in disguise ` we look ahead to tomorrow's big match which could see

the men from Molineux take over at the top.

And a new clearance scheme to help plants and wildlife thrive in our

overgrown woodlands. Governments around the world are

looking to technology developed in the Midlands to provide protection

from floods. The UK's first self`closing flood barrier was

created in Worcestershire. Now the company behind it has signed deals

worth millions of pounds to sell the technology to countries that

experience some of the most extreme weather.

Protecting some of the wildest parts of the planet is flood defence

technology developed here in the Midlands. Climate change is driving

demand for this unique flood barrier. Most of the time, it's

hidden below ground, only rising with the hydraulic power of the

water it's intended to keep at bay. We've got a footprint on every

continent. It's quite astonishing, really. We didn't even expect this

speed of growth. The UK's actually seen as the thought leaders and the

product leaders worldwide for flood defence. The Droitwich firm's just

signed a major contract worth ?6 million with the Malaysian

government. This simulation shows how the barriers will rise when it

floods in Kuala Lumpur, protecting thousands of homes and businesses.

And following Hurricane Sandy, the technology's getting good press in

the US. While some buildings were flooded out, the self`closing

barriers were keeping Washington's National Archives dry. That's

spurred new orders from New York. While the final product will be

shipped abroad, the production of it has been moved away from the Far

East closer to home, right here to this factory in Coventry. 18 months

ago, this engineering firm was bought out of administration. Now

there are 17 people working on the flood barriers, with plans to

recruit more. So we support, I would say locally, in excess of 250, 300

jobs. We've got Malaysia saying we want made in England. We've got the

United States saying we want made in the UK. The barrier is an example of

an innovative idea that's winning worldwide recognition. That

credibility, our manufacturing prowess, our ability to respond and

innovate, I think is a great selling point for UK products. It allows us

to compete very strongly on an international stage. But the severe

weather here is fuelling demand at the doorstep too, in Worcestershire.

And also in some of the worst hit parts of the UK, such as Cornwall,

Scotland and Cumbria. Climate change is big business, and with profits

expected to double next year, the financial forecast is looking bright

for the Droitwich firm. Time for sport. Let's get bang up to

date with the Winter Olympics. Here's Nick Clitheroe.

Well, I'm sorry to say, Nick, there's been no medal for Solihull

speed skater Jon Eley at his third Winter Olympics. Today was his

strongest event, the 500m. But he was crowded out at the start of his

semifinal and could only finish fourth. He did go on to contest

what's called the small final and Jon was third in that, so he adds a

seventh to his fifth and sixth places in his previous games. So is

that our last chance gone of a Midlands medal at these Olympics?

No, we've still got big hopes in the four man bobsleigh event this

weekend. Ben Simons from Broseley in Shropshire is in bob two, while

Coventry's Joel Fearon is in bob one. Now, they're highly fancied

after being quickest in the final practice session in Sochi earlier

this week. We have got so much potential in our team and we had

such good results this year. Everyone is in such good shape. I

can't write off anything. But it is the Olympic games and things do

happen that you don't expect. But I am confident and my hopes are high.

I should also mention Florence Bell from Birmingham, who's competing for

Ireland at these Games. She's just 17 and put on a commendable showing

in the slalom today. In football, there's no doubt over

the match of the day in League One this weekend. Wolves can go top of

the table if they beat the current leaders Brentford. Both teams are on

top form. Wolves currently have the meanest defence in English league

football, with only 20 goals conceded. Ian Winter looks ahead to

tomorrow's big game. I would like you to meet parsley and

his owner Jackie, two avid Wolves fans from Bridgnorth. They have come

to Molineux along with quite a few others to meet two of their heroes.

Quite is a prize for all concerned, because the players have never been

offered good luck by a dog like this before. He is nearly two and has

been brought up as a Wolves fan, hence the shirt. He wanted to come

here and see the lads today. Facebook was founded in 2004, the

same year that the old team went into liquidation. Sam Richards was

snapped up by the manager of Swansea City at that time in League Two. I

owe everything to the gaffer who took a chance on me and started my

career. When the opportunity came up in the summer, Wolves is such a big

club. As soon as he got appointed, I knew the club would do well. Just

four years after joining Swansea, Sam was playing at the Premier

League, first with Hull City and then with Bolton. Wolves fans will

never forget his goal at the top`flight. And now, ten years after

leaving Telford, Sam Ricketts was the first signing at Molineux,

followed by Kevin McDonald soon afterwards. Wolves have won the last

five games, and they have conceded only 20 league goals all season. How

big is this game against Brentford? It is the one everyone has been

looking forward to for a long time, probably their side as well as

ours. We are the two form sides in the league. We have never had a

pooch as a pundit before, so let's give it a go. Wolves or Brentford,

parsley? Wolves! And history could be in the making tomorrow afternoon,

again in league one, when Port Vale take on Crewe Alexandra. Joe Davis

plays for Port Vale and will face his brother Harry who plays for

Crewe, a team managed by their dad Steve. It's the first time the

brothers have gone head`to`head. Vale manager Micky Adams says he

hopes defender Joe just gets on with his job. It is a unique situation.

He is playing against his dad's team, with his brother on the

opposition. Hopefully, he will stick his chest out. Family bragging

rights, for sure. I hope it does not feel too sorry for his dad and his

brother, and he remembers why he is in the team. He has done well

recently. We hope that continues. And of course, you can follow

whichever team you support with commentaries and reports on your BBC

Local Radio station this weekend. It may seem a daunting task, but the

challenge is on to clear some of our seriously overgrown woodlands. It's

important, because it'll give plants and wildlife the space they

desperately need to thrive. The Wildlife Trust's been given a grant

of ?200,000 to help with the clear`up in woodlands across

Birmingham and the Black Country. Our reporter Lindsay Doyle has been

along to Cannon Hill Park in Birmingham to see how they're

getting on. Woods, dark and deep, but hopefully

not for much longer. A major project has begun in Birmingham and the

Black Country to clear overgrown woodland in parks and green spaces.

Normally in Woodlands, you would expect to see things like primroses

and lovely, interesting stuff. That helps the birds and the bees, which

helps the larger wildlife like badgers and foxes. So by thinning

the woodland, we can let light onto the ground to encourage the plans to

grow up. The idea is to involve local people to help. Children

learning survival skills through the fun of making a den in Birmingham's

Cannon Hill Park are actually clearing laurel, which is chocking

smaller flowers and plants. We are cutting down the sticks in the

forest to clear it up so that people can go through. We need to do it

slanted, so we can stick it into the ground. Overseen by the The Wildlife

Trust, the work is being possible by a government grant of ?200,000.

These woods are 25 years old, and in terms of wildlife, they are in

decline. Usually overgrown, it is preventing the growth of important

fundi. I spring, the way things are, there will not be a flower to be

seen. It is essential that we have objects like this to help rejuvenate

and manage the biodiversity. Once the woods are thinned, they will be

managed and maintained. Existing trees will be allowed to mature.

Seeds of native woodland flowers like bluebell and wood anemone will

be planted. In just over a year's time, this slightly gloomy wood

could be an astonishing splash of colour.

So, whether you're in the woodlands or not, how's the weather looking

this weekend? With the strong winds returning, it might not be safe to

be sheltering under trees. The wind and rain are back this weekend. But

it is not all doom and gloom. All those those winds are strengthening

all the time and we will see some showers on Sunday, there will be

plenty of brightness as well. The best of that will be in the east. We

have had showers in the region today. They are continuing to night.

Where they meet colder at, they could start to fall as hail.

Eventually, the winds will drop out, so where you get clear spells,

we could get a touch of grass frost. So it will be quite a chilly start

tomorrow, but it will be a bright and breezy one. 20 of sunshine to

come through the morning. By the time we get to lunchtime, we will

start to see cloud filling in from the West and the odd spot of rain.

The winds are strengthening all the time. Through Saturday night, those

winds start to pep up. We have showers moving across the region,

and temperatures are not going to fall too far. It will be quite a

mild night as we head into Sunday morning. It is this weather front

that is coming through. We should see gusts of wind around 40 miles an

hour on Sunday. And it will be rather drizzly and wet. Quite a

murky start to Sunday. Then we start to see that rain making its presence

felt. Temperatures will not do too badly. It is quite mild. But as we

head into the new working week, it is looking a little better. Heavy

rain back on Tuesday. Tonight's headlines from the BBC: A peace deal

in Ukraine, but will it be enough to satisfy the protesters?

Counting the cost: as the flood clear`up begins, damage to crops,

homes and business expected to run into millions.

That was the Midlands Today. I'll be back at ten o'clock. Have a great

evening. Goodbye.