20/12/2011 South East Today

Welcome to South East Today, I'm Polly Evans. And I'm Rob Smith.

Tonight's top stories. An extra �22 million for Kent's

children's services, as the council announces 400 job cuts. We'll be

reporting live on the story in Tunbridge Wells.

A soldier appears in court, charged with the attack that left Bexhill

teenager Mo Bourner brain damaged. Also in tonight's programme - rail

fares up by 6%. Kent and Sussex commuters are made to pay yet more

to travel by train. It keeps going up and up and they have to stop and

think about what people's wages are. There are not increasing so affairs

should be going down. -- fares. Lives of the rich and famous; the

top Kent photographer who gets up close and personal with the

glitterati. And an early delivery for one Kent

farmer this Christmas, the newborn lamb who was too eager to wait for

Good evening. Multi-million pound cuts at Kent County Council will

see hundreds of jobs go, services cut and efficiency savings made.

But one department - children's services - will be given �22

million of extra money to try and sort out the problems of the last

two years. The department has previously come in for severe

criticism from OFSTED and opposition politicians for failing

vulnerable children. This criticism began following the death of a 25-

day-old baby in Tunbridge Wells, who had been slammed against a

table by her father. Our Correspondent Mark Norman reports.

The last two years have been a catalogue of disasters for Kent

County Council children's services department. In 20th March 10,

Christopher Selma and killed his baby daughter. The case review said

opportunities to protector had been missed. In December last year,

OFSTED found the protection inadequate. Earlier this year, the

government's at options experts said the council had lost its grip

and the deterioration should have been noticed. While cuts have been

made across the county council, children's services will receive

more money to sort out the mess. What we are seeking to do it over

the next few years is to reduce the need for children to come into care

in the first place. That require substantial investment. We are also

investing in adoption so that we can get children into stable and

loving families at the first opportunity. Families like that a

hard to find. This woman has fostered for the last six years.

You get paid per child and you look after them and they support you

through everything. They give you the equipment you need to look

after them. Today, the council say they are looking for more like

Sharon. They want the number to fall from 3000 to around 1000. It

is not easy. London boroughs are poaching fostering families and a

number of children could go up according to last month's report,

which could prove difficult. We're hoping for a sea change in society

and that we can say that local authority should getting quicker

and remove children sooner. He believes the figures will continue

to arise. The council are desperate to avoid

another Christopher Silman case but it is hoped that increasing money

will make a difference. Mark Norman is live in Tunbridge

Wells, where Christopher Sellman was living when he killed his baby

daughter, Tiffany. Do the council feel they are now on top of the

problems at children's services? think so. They have another OFSTED

inspection in the New Year where the ball to get inadequate berating

and then an outstanding making up in a couple of years' time. The

need to get the numbers of children down and it is enormously difficult.

Tower Hamlets are recruiting for foster-parents and dark for Derby

North Kent which makes it difficult for the local authority to find

their own foster-parents, but they say this money will help as the aim

for an outstanding rating. Now as we've heard, Kent County

Council is having to make savings of almost �100 million from its

budget next year - that's �33.5 million more than originally

identified. The county has a budget of �2.2 billion for the next

financial year, a cut of �97 million on this year. It will mean

an estimated 400 jobs having to go next year - the second round of a

total of 1,500 jobs being cut by the council over four years. Kent

County Council says the cuts are bigger than anticipated because of

rising costs, a reduction in its grant from central government, and

extra spending on some services. But they say they will protect the

majority of frontline services. We have to continually modernise

and innovate in a way that extracts yet more value from the money. I

believe that given a fair wind and the co-operation of the public

agencies, we can deliver improved frontline services in many cases,

with substantially less public money. Kent County Council's

spending plans also include an extra �22 million on children's

services. �89 million on adult social care. Another �89 million

for economic development and housing.

Kent County Council says it's having to make these savings partly

because of the cuts to government funding - how much are they having

to save overall? They say that local government was the area

hardest hit by central government cuts, which is correct. They have

to save around 28% of their budget over the next four years, which is

a saving of �324 million. They say that to say that I do like that, it

cannot be done by salami-slicing. They have to fundamentally

restructure the way in which they deliver services. How are they

hoping to achieve that? At the time of cuts, they received around �50

million extra which was to go directly into health care. The

reason for this was the growing elderly population and they want to

identify the appropriate people earlier before they have to want a

hospital. Another caveat is the number of children needing care.

They're putting extra money into that. They say they want to reduce

the number to 1000 what after children in Kent. Annual report out

today says the number of children needing foster care has risen for

the fifth consecutive year, so it will not be easy to achieve.

Kent County Council says it hopes 75% of the savings will be made

through efficiencies, with other ideas, such as encouraging

community groups to take over the running of services such as

libraries being explored. And you can also find out more about this

story on our Political Editor's blog.

A Kent businessman accused of trying to export missile parts to a

van and takes his fight against extradition to the US to the High

Court. -- Iran. A 20-year-old soldier has appeared

in court charged with attacking teenager Mohammed Bourner as he

walked home from a party in Bexhill. Ashley Dacosta is accused of

grievous bodily harm. The incident happened after 15-year-old Mo

Bourner attended a beach party at nearby Glyne Gap.

Ashley the Costa was brought to court today accused of being

responsible for a crime that has been in the headlines now far more

than seven weeks. Late on the night of 28th October, Mo Bourner left

the beach party. It was alleged he was punched once by the soldier,

falling to the ground and hitting his head on a car bonnet. Six days

later, he emerged from a coma but could not recognise his parents.

Last Thursday evening, the case was on Crimewatch.

He is a really lovely boy - kind, such a beautiful young man, looking

forward to life. This morning, Ashley de Costa said

nothing in court other than confirming his name, age and

address. The purpose for today's hearing was not for a pleading of

guilty or not guilty but for the magistrate to decide whether it is

reasonable for him to remain in custody. His barrister did not ask

for him to be released so it remained a foregone conclusion. He

will remain in custody until his next appearance in March.

A Kent MP has called for an independent review into the case of

a man who served 25 years in jail for a gangland shooting he claims

he didn't commit. Paul Cleeland, who is 67, was jailed in the 1970s

for shooting gangland leader Terry Clark. He was released from prison

in 1998. Mr Cleeland's MP, Conservative MP Damian Collins,

questioned the reliability of forensic evidence presented at the

original trial. It seems obvious to me that they

had an unreliable expert witness. There were grave problems with his

evidence which will surely cast doubt on every other trial at which

he has given evidence. Eurostar passengers planning to

travel to Belgium over the next two days will have their plans

disrupted because of industrial action. A 24-hour strike is due to

start in Belgium tomorrow night, meaning services will start and

finish at Lille. There will be a limited coach service to Belgium,

but Eurostar says it will allow free ticket exchanges for travel on

a different day. Rail passengers in the South East

will face average fare rises of up 6% in the New Year - above the rate

of inflation, but less than the train companies had wanted. A

ticket from Ramsgate to London will actually rise by a fraction over 6%,

taking the cost for a standard annual season ticket to �4,640 and

for a high-speed season ticket to �5,556. Commuters in Brighton will

pay 5.6% more, taking an average season ticket to nearly �3,400.

Those travelling to the capital from Folkestone will have an

increase a shade under 6%, a �300 rise.

Said to be Kent's most expensive season-ticket come the new year.

Ramsgate to London on a high-speed train will set you back �5,500 a

year. Some people fear this is pressing them off the railway.

keeps increasing and we have to stop and think what people's wages

are. Wages are not increasing so fares should go down. We're herded

on like cattle in the morning and that paying extortionate amounts

for it. They're going to push people offered it and back onto the

roads and more traffic jams. they would increase their service

by 6%, I would be amazed. The train companies are able to increase

season and peak ticket by 1% above the inflation rate of 5% recorded

back in July. It is appalling for passengers that this new year will

bring real hardship for those who will have to find hundreds of

pounds extra to pay for their welfare. The train company would

not be interviewed today saying they felt the spotlight should be

on other a operators to but they thought the taxpayer subsidy for

railways was being reduced. The insisted some of their real prices

were actually being frozen. understand that it is tough times

for many people but the background to this is that the government have,

over a number of years, had a policy of shifting the amount of

support for the rail industry away from taxpayers and on to passengers.

It may be of little comfort but some things could have been worse

for commuters. The plan was for an 8% increase until the Chancellor

ruled it out in his Autumn Statement.

The number of sheep killed in an attack in a farmer's field at

Wrotham Hill in Kent has risen to 16. We reported yesterday that 15

had died - many of them were pregnant. It's thought someone

drove into the field in a Land Rover and mowed them down. One

sheep was taken to a veterinary surgery in Battle last night but

had to be put down because of a broken shoulder. The police are

continuing with their investigations.

A Barnsley football fan who shouted homophobic abuse at Brighton

supporters leaving the Amex stadium has been cautioned by police for

using threatening words or behaviour. The incident happened

after the match on the 6 of November. The 18-year-old man from

Bromley was arrested by Metropolitan Police and bailed to

An official opening date has been set for the new Jerwood Gallery in

Hastings. -- Hastings. It will open on 17th March. The paintings will

be on public display for the first time and the gallery is part of a

�9 million redevelopment of the old town.

A retired Kent businessman accused of trying to export parts for

Iranian missiles has appeared in court today. Christopher Tappin

claims she always thought he was exporting car batteries to the

Netherlands. He could be extradited to the USA. If he wants to prove

his innocence, why does he not just go to America and stand trial?

He is worried he will not get a fair trial and could spent many

years behind bars waiting for a trial. So today was not about

proving his innocence but showing why he believes he should not be

extradited. Today was just the latest stage in Christopher

Tappin's battle against extradition. Legal arguments over the nature of

the charges, and the involvement of undercover American agents, will

now be considered by High Court judges. Whether the 65-year-old was

involved with the illegal export of batteries for use in Iranian

missiles is not their concern. Only whether it is right for him to be

taken overseas for trial. The last 20 months have been

devastating because of the uncertainty. I wish we could get an

outcome. Obviously one which would be beneficial to myself. But it is

the dragging on process which could go on, and is going on, for a long

period of time. The allegations are that he

organised shipping papers for hawk missile batteries. In 2010 he was

arrested at dawn in his home at Kent. A district judge rejected his

case earlier in the year that extradition should be blocked. The

legal team today argued that he had been the victim of a trap. They

claim that the company who asked him to ship the batteries and

claimed they were for the Dutch car industry was a fake one, set up by

American customs. Mr Taplin says he would gladly face trial but with

all the witnesses based here this country is the only fair location

for that trial. He will be waiting until the New Year at least. But

the Americans are determined he should face trial in the United

States. They say that the alleged offences broke their laws. If he

does go and is found guilty he could face up to 35 years in jail.

Our top story: more cuts have been announced by Kent County Council.

It will be to around 400 job losses. But there will be more money for

children services. Also in the programme: an early Christmas

present at Port Lympne Wild Animal Park. And a dry, bright December

bay. Join me later in the programme for all the details. If you think

we should story particular -- cover a particular story, contact us

This time last year, Kent teenager across Wilson was a keen table-

tennis player who had a most -- mystery medical condition. The

diagnosis of a rare genetic disorder was a blow. But now he is

eligible to join the Paralympic squad and now the 16-year-old is on

course for a place at London 2012. For years he struggled to play the

game he loves before being diagnosed with M e d, a genetic

condition which limits his movements. But he now trains and

plays full-time with the UK Paralympic squad.

I never trained and played as much as I did until I joined the

Paralympic team. It has been a brilliant experience.

He hopes to emulate another outstanding Kent youngster who

played in the Beijing Paralympics. He has a great passion for the game.

He talks about the sport all the time, watches videos, plays as much

as he can. It is a passion he has had for years. It would be amazing

if he got to 2012. He now trains five days per week,

six hours per day. His remarkable progress includes a silver medal at

the European Championships. This time last year, where was he?

Now he is ranked No. 8 in the world. I wish him all the best.

Ross will find out in May if he has made the squad and is already

thinking about 2016. But he knows that could be in jeopardy if his

condition deteriorates. I could get kicked out of the squad

or never make it to 2016. So it be He is one of Britain's most

successful portrait photographers. He has taken shots of rich and

powerful figures from Richard Branson to Margaret Thatcher. Now

two of his pictures have been bought by the National Portrait

Gallery. Our reporter went to meet Mark Harrison in his Tunbridge

Wells studio. He has photographed them all.

Before I take a picture of anybody I have a quick look on line and see

what has already been done. Then I try to find another angle which

gives us a little more in sight. I like my pictures of Richard Branson.

We managed to crack it. Getting a subject to relax and drop

their guard is not always easy. Some subjects are very difficult.

Very charming, but very difficult. It was almost as if Al Gore had

been briefed by the CIA not to give everything away. I tried everything

including meaning across and grabbing his shoulders but he just

would not give anything away. So that is one where maybe I did not

succeed. His latest project focuses on those

who have been awarded distinguished medals by the array F.

-- RAF. I just wanted to capture an

historic generation. James Gordon was good fun, with lipstick. Tom

Daly looked very all in pain. -- all in pain. -- Olympian.

When you normally think of new born lambs it is normally springtime.

But for a charity in Maidstone it has been different. Just yesterday,

Dandeliom Time had an unexpected and early Christmas delivery. Meet

Rudolf the lamb. Just 24 hours old. She surprised her owners by being

born before Christmas. An unexpected arrival which has

delighted everybody who works at the Dandeliom Time charity.

This is very rare. They are normally born in the spring. It is

a lovely surprise. They thought the alarm was may also

called it Rudolf but on closer inspection, she is female. But they

decided to stick with the name. She is a hit with the youngsters.

Without her white and black she looks like he's a bra. She is cute

and fantastic. -- with white and black, she looks like a zebra.

I stroked her father. It feels soft. -- fur.

Staying with cute animals, there is just six days to go until Christmas

Day and you're probably itching to rip open present. You are not the

only ones. Look at these capuchin monkeys at Port Lympne Wild Animal

Park. They were given their own presence, wrap top boxes of

bandanas and nuts. What a commotion! The head keeper says it

is not only a special treat for them, but it also helps keep their

And now the weather. Good evening. A crisp December day. Staying dry

with decent spells of sunshine. Further rain on the way this

evening. A wet but mild start tomorrow. The rain will eventually

clear and it will be a dry afternoon but it will state dull.

Low-pressure still in control. Fairly breezy for us all. The

clouds have been beckoning ahead of a warm front which we will see

tonight. -- thickening. A slightly chilly feel to the weather. Rain

slowly spreading east winds mean a damp night. Temperatures however

average, ranging between three and six degrees. The rain will linger

until tomorrow morning but eventually cleared and leave behind

cloud. Wind from a north-westerly direction around 50 mph. What is

notable is that tomorrow's temperatures will be in double

figures. To put that into context, normal for the time of year is

around eight Celsius. And last year we did not get up a bar of one

Celsius very often. So the weather is certainly mile for the time of

year. It will continue as we move and to tomorrow night. It will stay

mild and cloudy for Thursday. Particularly into the afternoon.

Temperatures still in double figures. There will be a change as

we move into Friday. A cold front will spread eastwards. Behind that,

the air will be cooler. By the time of the Christmas weekend

temperatures will be noticeably Chile again. -- child. -- chilly. A

wet picture for Friday and because it is a cold front it will leave