06/01/2012 South Today

Hello I'm Sally Taylor. Welcome to South Today. In tonight's programme,

a lack of communication and a failure to listen to the concerns

of a mother - the damning report into the stillbirth of this

couple's baby boy Loans for leases - a council's offer to tackle the

housing shortage. We have got more homes for people in desperate need

at the moment. On show in London - are the winds favourable for the

boating economy in the south? And fans get all steamed up as a bit of

Harry Potter's magic conjures up a She says her fears were ignored,

and today a Sussex hospital admitted several failings in the

care of Joanna Park, a mother who gave birth to a stillborn son. Sam

Dice was stillborn at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton

on a particularly busy night last September. Today a coroner's

inquiry heard how opportunities to spot problems may have been missed.

John Young reports. At home in Brighton, July the Park

and Daniel dyes have one image to remind them of the sun they never

knew. What a midwife said to them as they arrived on the labour ward

was particularly shocking. I said I wanted pain relief. That was

offered as an option. She said she was going to shut the door and

ignore me. Yes. And Dan witnessed that. This morning a coroner heard

details of why Sam had died, strangled by his umbilical cord.

Her mother claims that her worries were ignored by midwives, has was

she for more than six hours. The Royal Sussex County Hospital has

admitted several failings. The failure to listen, a failure to

record her concerns properly. And too few staff. One midwife admitted

she felt out of control. Today, Joanna Park had this message for

other mothers-to-be. Listen to their instincts, be assertive and

speak out. I think midwives have really need to listen to mothers.

No interviews from the hospital today. But a hospital that in a

statement said their thoughts were with the family. -- but at the

hospital said. The couple's solicitor made this point.

Joanna had been monitored, there would have been an opportunity to

diagnose the foetal distress and Expedite delivery. A hospital says

lessons have been learned. Sam's parents told me they are not out to

blame anybody but they don't want anybody else to go through what

they will never forget. The acute shortage of affordable homes is a

nationwide problem. Thousands of people around waiting lists. Today

one Council launched a pioneering scheme aimed at tackling the Rome

shortages. New Forest District Council is offering interest free

loans to enable derelict homes to be renovated.

Courier site in southern England. New build Council houses. These

were completed just before Christmas. These are the first new

Council houses to be built here for 20 years. The lack of affordable

homes is becoming a growing headache for nearly every single

Council in southern England. New Forest District Council is the

first in England to explore a new way of tackling the problem by

targeting empty homes. Across the south, three every 100 homes are

officially NT. In the New Forest, that amounts to more than 2000

properties. The Council offer landlords alone to improve their

property, and make it ready for letting. Maybe for a new central

heating, a new bathroom, a new kitchen. If they elected to us they

do not receive any rental bill the loan is paid back. -- let it too

was. It is people like Ian Mooney and his daughter will could benefit.

Until December when they moved to this House, they were one of 5,000

families on the New Forest waiting list. They had to live in a bed and

breakfast for four months. It was difficult. Obviously having a child.

Sharing the bathroom and the kitchen I found very awkward.

People come and go. I was there quite a long time. Some people were

there days and weeks. The family in a B&B can cost the Council �600 a

week. Exploiting empty homes could mean big savings. The loan scheme

has been given a fund of just �25,000. It is a pilot. It we find

it successful we will put more money into it. At the moment it is

at test. Other councils will be watching closely. A leading

campaigner for people with autism says councils are cutting back on

their services, despite Government plans to improve them. Anna Kennedy

says vulnerable adults are having their funding cut or even withdrawn.

All this week we've been featuring stories about people with

Asperger's, a type of autism. David Fenton spent a year with three

people from Dorset who have the condition, and he joins me now.

David, in a nutshell, what were they saying to you? Two issues came

up time and time again - one was about relationships. People with

Asperger's or autism wanted a boyfriend or a girlfriend, or just

a friend. Not much state can do about that - but the other big

issue, was employment. 85% of people with Asperger's are

unemployed. Martin Hedley, who we saw this week, has been unemployed

for 10 years. And yet he's a very talented man - he helped set up a

charity to renovate this town hall, he has a degree, he's a gifted

musician and songwriter - but he can't find full time employment.

Irony is that many people with Asperger's do have much to offer

employers. People with Asperger's can be very

honest and very determined. There would be very reliable. Something

that employers like. If somebody has got good skills in IT, for

example, they are very welcome by companies. They can work for hours,

they can focus, they can produce. Joining me now from London is Anna

Kennedy, whose husband has Asperger's and whose two sons have

autism, and Claire Barcham, from the College of Social Workers. Anna,

I know you campaign on this issue. You are very passionate. You

Facebook Page has 15,000 far worse. What do people say to you? Parents

are very frustrated. Why they come it to me is they feel very isolated

that people are not listening to them. We are like a community. We

support each other, we give advice. I have got two sons with autism. If

we had not created a provision where we live, there would be

nowhere for him to go. It is very poor provision for adults.

people we see this week at coping extremely well with the condition.

Clearly there is a burden of care on the families. And you in

particular. What support do you get? The support I get is nothing.

Everything I have created myself. Parents like myself are having to

deal with three hours' sleep. The stress on the family. You worry

about Europe children as they get older. Everything we have done is

create provision. It is because of my sons. When they were younger

they did not have schooled to go 2. We had to create a school. Parents

feel like we're being penalised because they have got a child with

autism. It is almost as if they put obstacles in their way. Early

intervention is crucial for these children. If you get it right when

they are young, their lives would be better when potted much older.

Briefly, the Autism Act, the you feel encouraged? We were actually

quite excited when the Bill became an Act. Now it has become a

strategy. It is great on paper. But who is going to pay for it? I

cannot see it happening. I cannot see companies working together like

the NHS with local authorities. This is what I am getting from

grass roots. Let me ask Clare. That is really interesting. Even Hannah

is talking about the financial burden. -- panner. If you're going

to implement this Act, where will the money come from? Clearly we are

in difficult financial situations. The money has got to be used wisely.

The Act challenges the social workers that organisations that to

use that money as appropriately and as usefully as possible. With small

amounts of money you can make major changes. Do you feel that many

people will still fall through the gaps? I would like to say that is

not going to happen ever. I think this is a real step towards making

sure that it does not. But people have found it difficult. I know

from my own experience that people do get bounced between mental

health and low-level disability services. I would hope that will

not happen in the future. But I think the key thing is to make sure

that all professionals understand autism and can assess effectively.

Thank you very much. David, clearly he is not -- it has not solved the

problems, the Autism Act? There are still problems. On paper it should

work. There will be more people diagnosed. But there is no cure for

this and often there is no treatment. People need support and

awareness. If they can be delivered cheaply, people like Martin and

others can benefit. Sussex Police have named a man that

died when his lorry smashed into parked cars in Brighton. Fifty two-

year-old Roger Smith from Kent was killed in the crash at Queen's Park

Road yesterday. Gas mains were damaged and six homes were

evacuated because of the risk of explosion. A post mortem into the

driver's death will be held next week. Bournemouth Council have said

they're pressing ahead with outsourcing more council services

to a private company. Council staff who currently work in Human

Resources and Finance, will transfer to Mouchel, who already

run several council departments. Financial problems have hit the

private company's share price, but Bournemouth Council say they can't

ignore potential savings, and they've put aside money in case

Mouchel fails. Still ahead, the weather. And Tony

has the sport. Can Salsbury cause an upset in the FA Cup? And GB's

synchronised swimming team on course for the Olympics. A

Berkshire woman who runs a solar energy business, has been

explaining her attack on the Prime Minister at a public meeting. Erica

Robb had to make 30 people redundant just before Christmas.

She says the Government's snap decision to cut subsidies by 50%,

threw the industry into chaos. But her challenge was motivated by

uncertainty as much as the cuts. Katharina Moh reports.

Erica Robb runs a local solar energy business in Reading. Before

Christmas she had to make 30 people redundant. It is a horrible

decision. But in any circumstances it is difficult. When you have

trained people, they are doing a terrific job. Yesterday she told

the Prime Minister it was her fault. I am finding a �100,000 pay roll a

month, not being able to sell anything. You except the cut pass

to be made. Many councils plan to install solar energy. The minister

responsible is Chris Huhne. He is pursuing a legal battle to make

It is leading to more job losses and more uncertainty. It is a

disgrace. We should be dealing with it. We need certainty right now

about what the tariff level is going to be for the future and how

people can get their installations completed in a reasonable period

and know what the tariff will be. Further uncertainty awaits if the

Government continues to insist that from April all houses that receive

subsidy would need to meet tough energy sufficiency standards. At

the moment only 14% of houses need them.

-- meet them. The London Boat Show opened today. It plays a vital role

as a shop window and market place for the south's marine industry,

particularly in the current downturn. In the Solent area alone,

more than 1,700 businesses depend directly or indirectly on the

marine industry, as do an estimated 48,000 jobs. And the area generates

a billion pounds a year in sales of leisure boats alone. So which way

is the financial wind blowing for the South's boat builders? We sent

They say 1% of the UK population is so well off it is being completely

on at -- on affected by the economic downturn. Looking around

at the London Boat Show it seems many could be here. It seems indeed

that the maritime industry is doing all right. Today two new models

were launched. We supply 60 countries around the world. It is

the spread of the distribution network that helps us. We have sent

that might spend a considerable amount of time increase in the

markets. Even companies that are essentially charities say business

is booming. Sir Robert Knox Johnson reckons clipper brings �5 million a

year to the south. Today he announced his 12 new boats power to

be built in China. I don't think it is inevitable it has to go abroad.

Our best Powerboard manufacturers British workmen cannot compete with

the Chinese labour rates, nor can - - nor should he try. We cannot

afford to build them here. Most of the equipment is British. Engines

etc. As the industry shows, even at double-dip recession may not be a

coming storm to an industry which has been rooted in the South

generations. They have not forgotten the South's rich maritime

history. If the economy keeps going the way it has been, the future is

Head for heights. Over six but himself. Tony is here. FA Cup. One

of the great days in the calendar. It is a day you look for the upset.

We hope for 1 at Bramall Lane in particular. Salisbury City have one

of the biggest matches of their history tomorrow. In the third

round of the FA Cup for the first time, the non-leaguers play

Sheffield United of League One. More than a thousand fans are

travelling to Yorkshire to support the team. And on the eve of the big

game, I wasn't the only visitor to the club.

Football may have changed but the FA Cup still means something

special to fans. The famous old trophy was on the road today at the

lowest ranked club still left in the competition. This is Salisbury

City's first ever there round appearance. This is what it is all

about. There is always a non-League side each season. Fortunately it is

our season. The magic of the Cup is still alive. The team is made up of

Cerney men and players who hope to break into the Football League One

day. One player already has some FA Cup pedigree in the family. David

Webb was the Chelsea match winner in the 1970 final replay. His son

Danny will be in the Salisbury team tomorrow. Has that offer any

advice? He said don't score an own goal and don't get sent off! The

fans had been waiting a long time for this. This day is for them. For

us it is about trying our best to cause an upset. They are not on the

road to Wembley yet, but they will want the cup journey to continue

for a little while longer. Sunday sees a rematch of the 2009 FA Cup

final as Chelsea and Portsmouth meet. Things are very different for

Portsmouth now, of course, as Michael Appleton's men are cast in

the role of underdog. But with Chelsea in transition and

struggling of late, could this be a good time to play them? I have

spoken in the dressing room this morning, if we're going to go there

at any time in recent months, now is the time. I'm sure they will

give us the right game. If you go to someone like Stamford Bridge and

go gung-ho, you could get a good spanking. We don't want that.

Here's the other ties this weekend Reading hope to avoid an upset

against League One Stevenage, Southampton could make some changes

for their trip to Coventry. Brighton host non-league leaders

Wrexham, while Crawley entertain Championship side Bristol City. In

League One Bournemouth go to Walsall, aiming for a third

consecutive win. And Aldershot have made two new

loan signings, in Troy Brown and Sonny Bradley, from Rotherham and

Hull respectively, before their Time for our final look at the

women from the South who could be the stars of the Olympics. Tonight

we're heading into the pool. Over the last four years, synchronised

swimming pair Jenna Randall and Olivia Allison have moved up from

twenty second to eighth in the world. The Great Britain squad

trains in Aldershot and they're hoping to impress in London. Ed

Sherry has more. Grace and beauty, but underwater

the mass of athletic challenge. acid is burning through your

muscles. Your heart is pumping and you have to make it look like

giving carry on for an extra 20 minutes. Bolivia Alison and Jenna

Randall swim for Loughborough. They competed in Beijing. My dad was

unable to come. He was getting excited to watch it on the day that

we were competing. They did not show it. That was a bit upsetting.

I think we will get more media coverage this time, which is

fantastic. This is the competition. A Russian squad that has won gold

in the last three Olympic Games. Whilst they are expected to

dominate again, Great Britain is taking great strides. Setting up

this new centre of excellence in Aldershot. There is an outside

chance of a medal. 2012 is a stepping stone to 2016. That is

when we are going to be fighting for the medals. In 2012 we are

hoping to come in the top six and get some experience for real.

weekend for Brian Thomson, the amateur sailor, closing in on the

world record for the fastest navigation of the globe. We will

tell you about it over the weekend. Good luck to him. Let me tell you

about a bridge. It's being called the Harry Potter Bridge, because

it's where Hagrid first gave the young wizard his train ticket to

Hogwarts. But it was demolished during refurbishment at King's

Cross station. Now it's being put back together again - not with

magic, but by volunteers on the Watercress Line in Hampshire. Our

Transport Correspondent Paul Clifton went to watch.

The bridge is beginning to take shape. The jigsaw of hundreds of

pieces of wrought iron will take months to bolt together. This Grade

1 listed bridge has history. It is familiar to harry Potter fans as

the bridge over platform 9 3/4 at King's Cross station. There must be

a mistake. There is no such platform. Is there? It is known as

the handy side Bridge. Built in 1893, its steep steps meant in

recent years it was little used. When King's Cross was refurbished,

it was taken down. There is no magic wand to put this back

together. Instead this Crane is helping the painstaking job. It was

in King's Cross for well over 100 years, inside the building. It has

been protected by the weather -- from the weather. We have taken it

down it to the workshop where components have been shot blasted

to get the paint off. It looks like new but it is not. It is 120 years

old. This year, the heritage row where marks the 35th anniversary of

its opening. It is hoped the bridge will attract a new generation of

Paul Cliff Byrne, our very own double door! Wanted the weather. --

on to the weather. We have some A lovely start to the day.

Increasing cloud cover through the early part of the morning.

Conditions will be milder than last night. There is the risk of rain

and drizzle. It will not amount to much. Temperatures down to six to

nine Celsius. We started the day on a mild snub. Pam and drizzly for

most. -- damp and drizzly. Lovely sunny conditions. There will be a

keen breeze taking the edge of temperatures. High fees of 11

Celsius. Dry with sunny spells. 8- ten Celsius. Full coverage of the

football on local BBC radio. Dry conditions for the matches. Cloud

cover tomorrow night and through the early hours of Sunday morning.

Sunday starts off on a cloudy note. Mild conditions. Temperatures down

on tonight's values. At cloudy start first some on Sunday. The

best of the brightness will be towards the south and east. East of

the Isle of Wight. It is at cloudy but mainly dry end to Sunday.

Monday is a very similar picture. This weather front sinking into the

south and east which could bring light drizzle. That set the theme

Burke Tuesday. -- sets. A lot of cloud. Next week, generally he is