21/02/2012 Spotlight

Rubber stamping its budget, Cornwall freezes the council tax,

but there will still be �40 million pounds of cuts

Good evening; council leaders are also promising to deliver growth;

we will investigate how they intend doing it. Also tonight:

Graduates who cannot spell. I could take on three new recruits if they

were here but they are not. And in an exclusive interview, the

owner of Plymouth Argyle tells me about his new role and what he

brings to the board room. Glut of my board meetings have me as a

petulant -- a lot of my board meetings have me as a three-year-

old child. Councillors in Cornwall have voted

to freeze council tax for a second year after accepting the

government's one-off �6 million grant to do so. Budget cuts of �40

million were also formally approved today. The leading Conservative

group says the budget offers modest growth for Cornwall's economy, but

Liberal democrat councillors say it lacks detail on exactly where the

cuts will be made. Cornwall council's and so a real

leader said this was a positive year for the county. --

Conservative leader. He said that there was much growth in the

economy, such as the bursaries for students and a plan to build new

homes for rent in the next four years. For a -- but this is a year

when Cornwall council still has to save �40 million. So I asked him

where the money was going to come from. We are not talking about cuts

in any services. We have not closed any libraries. This is a Budget

that lets us look at some growth. You call it reductions. Your

opposition called it cuts. Whatever we decide to call it, �40 million

is gone from the Budget. Where will it be? It is not being done by

cutting services, it is done by doing things do for me. We are

looking at different ways to do things. We are procuring much more

smartly and buying more for less. It is about how you do business not

what you do. But other opposition councillors said they wanted more

clarity. What is wrong with it is the lack of detail. People are

paying for everything. They need to know what they are going to have

for their council tax money. In the Budget today there was too little

detail. We do not know what the future for hour bus network is. We

could lose half the but -- bus routes. It is more a budget of

questions than answers, unfortunately. In the event that

councillors voted to the Budget, it is frozen for the next year. The

average is just over �40,000 for a Band D property.

Our Political Editor joins us now from Westminster. Cornwall council

have are taking a stranger approached.

They have the site -- a strange approach. They have decided to draw

up a review for a four Year period which arrived at a savings figure

of a few hundred million pounds. When it comes to subsidising their

annual budgets, Cornwall council can turn around to its electric and

say that they are not announcing any new cuts -- its electorate and

say that they are and not Cornwall has also gone for a

council tax freeze, but how are they affording it?

The council's officers warned members that they face a �20

million black hole if they went for a freeze. The council has said that

it has managed to make an unexplained income that have loved

them with �7 million in reserve -- that has left them with �7 million

in reserve. �5 million comes from something called a new homes bonus.

It is not ring fence. Counsellors can do anything they like with it.

But a lot of people think the money should be put back into new housing

rather than plugging holes in the general budget. That is something I

will be looking at in further depth this weekend.

Millions of pounds is being offered to employers to help young

unemployed people in the South West get jobs. The Government scheme is

aimed at those with poor qualifications, but one Devon

employer has told Spotlight he is struggling to fill graduate

positions. He is one of the lucky ones. He is

16 years old and in work. That is not bad when you consider that one

in five people aged between 16 and 24 are not in education, employment

or training. Searching, searching, searching. I almost gave up as well.

I do not think I would get a job at all. In England, there are 55,000

teenagers with no job and poor qualifications. The Government

wants to get them look -- working so firms and charities are offering

�2,200 for every young person they help into training were permanent

work. Labour says it is not enough on its end. As for the people who

took on the young man... It is a lot of money but it is nothing

compared to the money we will spend training him and there is nothing

to say that at the end of the training he will do the job. We

have lost a Prince's -- apprentices before. One recruitment firm says

it has been looking for three people to join its graduate trainee

programme. In six months, the firm has actually had 35 applications

for jobs that can pay up to �18,000. All we are looking for is people

with a good pedigree and who is hard working and has a bit of a

spark. You think you would have queues of people with that

background but we have rarely struggles. -- struggled.

there's on the other and say that unless something changes the work

is going to go elsewhere. -- those on the other side. This is a really

urgent issue. Wine 16-year-old in work is not enough but for this

young man it is everything. -- won A charity which gives out free

furniture and clothing to families in Cornwall says their staff have

been shocked by the levels of poverty they have been witnessing.

We have been to visit one family who say daily life is very

difficult. This man looked after his job in a

factory to look after his wife and child. His wife is deaf. They live

hand-to-mouth. Any money they have goes to food and bills. There is no

budget for furniture. Furniture from his mum and everyone else

because we cannot afford any more. We can only afford it second-hand.

How frustrated do you get? I get panic attacks quite often.

today they are getting a delivery. They had been donated a second-hand

bed from a local charity. It is a tight squeeze getting a double bed

into their tiny first-floor flat, but what everyone's help, they

manage. -- with everyone's help. The bad comes from this charity

that takes in second-hand goods and handouts to those who really need

it. -- the bed. This is one of their drivers. He says that some of

their clients have nothing to sit on or sleep on. I knew a cancer

victim who was basically living in a two bedroom flat and all she had

was two crates down on the floor with a manky matches. We went up

there to deliver a sofa and a TV and a bed. -- a manky mattress.

That is all she had. A recent report by a website for parents

says that Cornwall has some of the poorest families in Britain. They

blame the rise in did prices and fuel prices and housing costs.

Meanwhile, this family says they are just grateful for the hope that

they receive from family, friends and charity. -- the help.

If one town felt the impact of the economic downturn, it was perhaps

Okehampton. Three key employers, Polestar, Wiseman's and Browns, all

ran into difficulty. But a major scheme to kick-start the economy is

dividing opinion in the town. Plans for creating a Business Improvement

District have met with opposition. A captain is in recovery. The idea

of traders paying into a fund to help boost to growth is seen by

some as just an extra tax. -- op Kempton. This man is it not sure

that this should become a business district. Other districts have been

set up in Dorchester and other regions and there has been a gain

him businesses. There is no choice whip this scheme. You have to pay

in if it goes ahead. Yes, that is true. We are such a long way from

the town. If there is a scheme offering a free parking in town it

would not be much easier. But what if it gave him caught with his

suppliers? I have been working with my suppliers for 12 years and I do

not want to upset that. Never mind whether the scheme can help me.

What if it could help you as far as advertising online and in the

paper? I would like to choose how I do my advertising. It is my

business and I want to choose how to run it. We did not bring in more

customers for you? If they are dancing on stilts they are not gone

to what some welding doing. -- going to want some welding doing.

In Dorchester, the cost is about �300,000 per year. I did find some

supporters in a Kempton, but that George is by no means a lone voice.

If it is not useful to you you still have to pay for it. That is

true, if we all vote for it. There has to be a majority voting for it.

If you have engaged with the process and have put your opinions

in and said what do you think will make a difference for your business,

then there should be something in it for you. But this welder feels

it is just tax by another name. That is something that politicians

here strongly denied. -- deny. There are concerns that meat not

fit for human consumption could have entered the food chain after a

farmer reported sheep being stolen from his land in South Devon. It is

believed at least one lamb was slaughtered and removed from these

fields over the weekend. The police are now appealing for information.

Very angry and concerned as well. Some lambs are on and have their

attic treatment in this field. Who knows which one is fit for human

consumption? These lambs may not be fit for human consumption.

An exclusive interview in a moment with the man who is keeping

Plymouth Argyle alive. Also still to come: Restoring a local icon. We

have been up the scaffolding to see how work is coming along.

And the race with real WOW factor as the Women Offshore World series

The honour of Plymouth Argyle is taking up a new post in the NHS. In

an exclusive interview, James Brent has revealed he will become the new

chairman of the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Trust in me. He now runs

an expanding hotel group, along with other business interests,

including the football club he saved last year. I met him at his

latest acquisition, Oldway Mansion in painting, pretty told me about

his plans for the building. -- in Paignton. The intention is to turn

it into a Ford -- four-star hotel and spa. When this becomes a

wonderful four-star hotel plus spa. Do you think there is room for

growth in the sector? I think there is room for growth and improvement.

The objective in the south is to keep improving the quality on offer

to customers and to make sure that customers know when they go on

vacation they can stay in the South West. It is fair to say you have

come to prominence in the last few months because of your connection

with Plymouth Argyle, but you have been quietly working behind the

scenes trying to drive the South West and Plymouth economy for a few

years now, previously involved in the Plymouth city development

company. But before the CDC had to fold, there was a degree of

optimism about waterfront plans, a spectacular thoroughfare through

the city centre, and the pavilions may corner the -- goal now. Are you

concerned that is on the cards? I don't think I can discuss any

transaction we are working on at any point in time. There is an

aspiration to be developed Home Park and to finish off the stadium.

-- to the developer. -- redevelop. What is it about Plymouth Argyle?

Cynics would suggest there has to be something in it for you. Why

would you take on a football club with so many financial problems?

can say, hand on heart, the business model we focused on was

the football business model, not buying it because there was a pot

of gold at the end of the development rainbow. What we would

like to do is see the club endowed with assets that will create a

cashflow to complement the for double cashflows. -- the Football

cashflows. The aspiration is to have a grandstand but also has

facilities generating an income going forward. Some would say

taking on a football club is a big enough challenge. On top of that,

you are taking on another challenge as chairman of the Royal Devon and

Exeter Trust. How can you give the time required at a key time in the

NHS to leading that service through a period of change? It is a fair

question, and I think it is something I need to addressed in

detail as we get closer to the first of me. What I am doing in the

run-up to that is making sure I am rebalancing my commitments so I can

give full attention to it. I am getting involved with the Royal

Devon and Exeter but because it is critical to our region. My kids are

users of the service and I need to be comfortable, and I am sure those

who appointed me need to be comfortable, but I can make a

special commitment to it. What do you hope to bring to the role?

lot of my board meetings have me as the petulant three-year-old child

same, wide? Why have we always done it this way? Having a petulant

three-year-old with no knowledge coming in and asking that question

can be very helpful. Good luck in that role and good luck but with --

good luck with Plymouth Argyle. He will be able to seek the

interview with James Brent when he talks about Plymouth Argyle, his

views on the banking business and much more on our this book page.

Last week's interviewed is on that Facebook project, also.

A group of MPs says the Exeter- based Met Office needs more

powerful supercomputers to improve long-term weather forecasting. The

Science and Communications Committee says it wants more

confident extreme weather warnings and more accurate long-range

forecasts. The Met Office is looking to develop the sport are

not sure they will get the new computers.

-- to develop this but they are not. We are looking to develop our

operational capability to make a difference to the forecasts we

provide to the public. We do not know whether we will get that yet,

that is why we must work with the Government to demonstrate the value

that will bring and to demonstrate it is a good financial decision for

the UK at this time. Work is well under way to spruce up some -- one

of the South West's best-known landmarks. Painting has begun to

restore the Royal Albert rail bridge over the River Tamar.

It is all about getting to the nuts and bolts of it. Almost one year

into this major reservation -- renovation, other workers here 100

feet above the River Tamar have restored or replaced thousands to

ensure a Isambard Kingdom Brunel's masterpiece remains secured. The

more they find, the more they hope to put right. It all has to keep in

line with the historic design and keep 30 or more trains running

every day on track. Walkers have had to blast of around 30 layers of

old painted during this restoration. The original off-white colour is

completely covered up. Now they are at the stage of giving it a fresh

lick of paint they have gone with do spray, just as it was 60 years

ago. Deborah Elliott is in charge of the project and knows how

important it is to get it right. had to make sure that the historic

value is taken forward in the paint colour we choose. It is iconic for

the area, not just for the local people but also for tourism. We

hope we are doing a good job in preserving the structure in almost

its original colour. The finishing touches should be done by 2014 and

the team will be hoping they do not have to break out the paint brushes

I watch it every day and look at the progress they are making. I do

not envy them hanging from the scaffolding.

I knew women only yacht race has been launched into myth. The first

Women Offshore World race, for WOW race, is bound for Antigua.

Spotlight's Andy Brega was at today's Lodge.

Girl power needs wind power. Organisers are hoping it will

attract a up-and-coming talent and the world of sailing. Basically,

these women are serious competitors, and like any competitors they want

to know who is the best. Simple as that. They want to know who is the

best woman racer, of which country produces the best women teams. It

is natural. We are always competing with the boys. Every single event

is free for us to enter and compete against the guys, but we are

diluted and it is hard to be sailing in the same competitions

and races. It is really nice to have a specific goals only race

attracting us all to the same competition for a change. -- women-

only race. Each team will sell an identical 30 feet yacht like this.

The race itself is a 3,500 mile sprint to Antigua are. It will be

put with's first new yacht race since last year's America's Cup,

which showcased the city's waterfront on a world stage.

Already, interest in the women's Offshore World Series as been

International. I think the America's Cup was a great success,

and because of it Plymouth suddenly became the place to have sailing

events. There is a lady coming from Cape Town, one from Tunisia, a

couple of others from Europe to enter this race. That is great,

they will go back home saying, Plymouth is super. There is one

obstacle facing the race, and that is sponsorship, or lack of it,. It

may not be the best time to be asking businesses to part with

morning, but organisers say they are confident that the WOW race

will become a regular fixture on the racing calendar.

The Devon-based Military Wives Choir has been nominated for a Brit

Award at a ceremony taking place later this evening.

The song, wherever you are, which was a Christmas number one, is up

for best single. They are competing against the likes of Adele, Jessie

J and Ed Sheeran for the award. We caught up with them on the red

carpet. We are honoured to be here tonight, because that song means so

much to us. And to so many other people, the public could obviously

feel the same emotion we were feeling as we were singing it.

Would it -- wouldn't it be fantastic if they want?

Tang for the weather forecast, no supper computers yet. -- time for

the weather forecast, no the weather forecast, no

supercomputers yet. Good evening. By the time we get to

thirsty we could have up to 15 Celsius. It cools down again

towards the weekend. On the satellite picture this cloud racing

across the Atlantic. This has some wet weather in it tomorrow. It will

slowdown as it reaches us, and ahead of it there are some breaks

in the cloud. Eventually, the weather system will move in, plenty

of isobars saw windy conditions, south-westerly winds will be strong

tomorrow afternoon. Once the wet weather moves in it will move

fairly steadily, and behind it is the mild air. On Thursday, we could

have temperatures well up into possibly 15 Celsius, but a round

the coast it could be very misty and murky, and we will not see

those sort of figures. Today the cloud has been fairly extensive.

This was earlier today. Our cameraman went to have a look at

the wildlife, very quiet, and with slightly milder air it did not feel

too bad, not much of a breeze today. Plenty of water coming down the our

Rovers, and that is where we have an advantage over the eastern side

of the country. We will not see any water shortages. Cloud tonight will

be patchy and come and go. Clear skies, at times, temperatures up to

six or seven Celsius. Tomorrow morning, and dry, bright star,

morning sunshine, but it will quickly clip lead over. -- cloud

over. A wet end to today, becoming misty towards the end of the

evening, temperatures up to 11 Celsius. Not feeling quite as warm

tomorrow, it will be windy with south-westerly winds, up to severe

gale force. And the Isles of Scilly, strong winds throughout and heavy

outbreaks of rain in the middle of the day, drier in the afternoon. In

the evening, turning quite misty. Coastal waters forecast, the winds

are from the South West tomorrow, Force 5-7, the remote western a

decreasing five into the evening, rain at times with moderate or good

visibility. This ability becoming poor as we move into the evening.

This is overnight tomorrow night into the early hours of Thursday

morning. Mist and cloud appear income up mild air, very humid,

added becomes murky first things on Thursday morning. A little cooler

on Friday, but still unusually mild, back to normal on Saturday. Have a