19/09/2013 BBC Oxford News

Hello and welcome to South Today from Oxford. In tonight's programme:

£3 million in its bank account for more than five years. Oxfordshire

County Council hands back money it took from property developers —

after a failed road project. We have a special investigation into

councils — and cash. Also tonight: the growing

controversy over electronic cigarettes. They give off water

vapour, not smoke — so should they be banned from offices and pubs?

And later on: In honour of Prince George: The schoolboy who designed a

Corgi for the Queen's great grandson.

A BBC South investigation has revealed hundreds of millions of

pounds of cash from developers is lying unspent in council bank

accounts. Figures gathered under the Freedom of Information Act, show

local authorities across the South have accumulated more than £400

million. The money is to be spent on new roads, schools and other

community improvement projects. But more than a third of it currently

remains unallocated to specific projects. Some local authorities in

the South have been hanging on to developers cash for so long, they've

had to give £2.2 million between them, back to developers. Now — more

than £3.5 million earmarked to ease traffic problems in Witney is to be

returned to developers by Oxfordshire County Council. Here's

Jessica Cooper. 1,000 more homes in Witney, here at

the Madley Park Estate. Bringing more people and more cars. The

council's solution to deal with extra traffic — a multi—million

pound development — called the Cogges Link Road. A deal struck with

property developers more than a decade ago would have seen them put

£3.5 million towards it. But the scheme was rejected after a lengthy

local campaign. The deal has expired. The money will have to be

returned. It is so frustrating to see the money that has been set

aside for essential infrastructure disappearing. We really need them to

get on with building the infrastructure, and having money

timed out like this, or attached to ill—fated schemes is no good. We

need to get the development. But officials say they had no choice but

to return the cash they'd been hoping to invest in Witney. Once it

became apparent that we could not build the link road, which was the

preferred option for the town, district and County Council, we try

to negotiate with the developers, but they said no, they were not

prepared to put the money to any other scheme in the area and were

very open and honest about it, they demanded that the money be returned

to them, and unfortunately that is the case. Now a new plan is in the

pipeline. It'll see £2 million spent improving this junction. But in

future, the council wants roads to be linked to developments to make

sure they're built before new homes are finished.

Well our reporter Nikki Mitchell is live in our Reading studio tonight —

and Nikki — this situation in Oxfordshire isn't unusual is it?

It is the amount of money that is unusual. Of the 48 Freedom of

Information Act request that we put in across the south, we know that as

a region, the council has put in £2.2 million. That is what they have

had to give back to developers in the last five years between them. In

Oxfordshire alone, they had to give back well over £3.5 million. Some

councils, it is all to do with the clauses, there was a clause which in

this case might have said, if the link road doesn't happen, then we

can spend it on easing traffic condition in another way, but there

was no clause in this case. Who has the most money? Oxfordshire Council

has the most in the bank, £53 million. It is an area of huge

growth. In places like Didcot, new homes means new children, new cars,

new roads are needed. Money set aside means this is a good thing, as

long as it is spent in time. It does not add to begin them back. Milton

Keynes and Swindon, they also have a lot of money in the bank. —— it does

not have to be given back. A number of developers have said that the

councils should not be porting their money or holding councils to ransom

by turning down their applications. The councils have made these

agreements for the benefit of the community and should not be

pocketing the cash. That is something the councils are strongly

denying. Three men from Coventry have been

charged with robbery after a raid on a jewellers in Wiltshire. The shop

in Marlborough was targeted on Tuesday morning by men wearing

balaclavas. Police arrested three men after a car chase which ended in

a collision on the A419 near the Great Western Hospital in Swindon.

The men have appeared in court — and been remanded in custody.

11 failing hospital trusts — including Buckinghamshire — are to

have their management taken over by more successful ones, under a plan

announced by the Health Secretary. The county's NHS Trust is to be

partnered with Salford Royal NHS trust. Buckinghamshire was put into

special measures two months ago — after a report outlined examples of

poor care and nursing standards. Some want them banned, others say

they're good for business. Electronic cigarettes are growing in

popularity and now a new shop's opened in Cavesham dedicated to the

electronic devices. Unlike tobacco products, there's nothing illegal

about using e—cigarettes indoors, but some people argue it gives off

the wrong message about smoking. Emma Vardy has this report.

It's a sight, we thought had disappeared. But enter the

e—cigarette. They contain liquid nicotine. What looks like smoke is

water vapour. I used to smoke, then I was introduced to these fake

cigarettes, and I tried one, and I found I did not need a cigarette, as

now I am at a stage when I go at drinking, which is the hardest time

to not smoke, I just use these vapour a stage when I go at

drinking, which is the hardest time to not smoke, I just use these Weber

cigarettes instead. Some pubs have banned so—called vaping, while

others welcome it. And there's no rules against employers allowing

e—cigarettes to be used in work, this office nearby's allocated a

special room. But they're getting mixed reactions. You should not be

allowed to smoke in a building, it will offend other people. They do

not contain tar or many of the bad chemicals, but experts say they do

not want to see these glamorised in the way that smoking once was. We

have to make sure that tobacco companies do not use this as a way

of free normal I think tobacco. In the United States, the marketing is

much more vigorous. I would worry if we had that kind of marketing here.

But that's not the aim, say those in the business. Philip Jellyman's gone

from selling e—cigarettes on a market stall, to opening a whole

shop. We're not really glamorising these to get people to use them, we

are using them to help people get off smoking. We think we are saving

tens of thousands of lives by doing this. Medical experts say

e—cigarettes are much safer than tobacco, but until they're properly

regulated which is due to come in 2016, it's yet to be proven whether

this really is the smokers miracle cure.

An announcement is expected within days to confirm that a deal's been

struck for First Great Western to continue running the rail network

between Swindon, Oxford and London. The government has been in lengthy

negotiations with the company — which has run services on the line

for seven years. First are hoping for an extension until 2016, when a

new franchise competition will be held. But there's been criticism

from unions who are opposed to the deal.

It's one of many choices young people face when they're thinking

about their futures — where to study for GCSEs, A Levels and other

qualifications. But a new college in Aylesbury is hoping to make that

easier. The Buckinghamshire University Technical College now

offers students specialised courses in Construction and IT, with help

from local businesses. Adina Campbell reports.

Getting their hands dirty in this makeshift construction site. One of

the many practical projects these year ten students are involved in.

There are only about a dozen other colleges like this providing bespoke

courses for 14 to 19—year—olds in the country. What makes them stand

out is the ongoing input and support from local businesses. This college

is all about teaching young people the right skills and giving them the

most suitable learning experience and improving their employability

for jobs in construction and IT, to highly competitive industry. I

wanted to do construction in college, but I found about this and

it was more specific. I would like to run my own construction company,

it is very specialised in the work we're doing. With the focus on

gaining more hands—on skills, it is thought that these colleges are

better alternative for those that are less academic, especially with

growing concerns from employers. It is about bringing technology to

live, it gives more development before the workplace. Depending on

their age, students will still have to study core subjects at GCSE

level, but the staff say it is important to think about long—term

career goals. Employers in these sectors have said they do not get

young people into the workplace work ready, because we have to

specialisms, it means we can invest. —— two specialisms. We have

state—of—the—art equip and. This is home to nearly 100 students, but it

is hoped that hundreds more will become part of this college in the

next few years. A man described as a 'real life

spiderman' will be honoured for his bravery by Oxfordshire's fire

service this evening. Preston Likely was about to have a drink with

friends when he heard a commotion and noticed a two year boy on the

roof of The Tree Pub, in Iffley, near Oxford. The forty eight year

old scrambled up a drainpipe to rescue the toddler. He'll receive

the Chief Fire Officer's Commendation for bravery.

That's all from me for the moment. I'll have the headlines at 8:00 and

a full bulletin at 10:25. service. The coroner will give his

verdict next month. Still to come: The schoolboy who

designed a corgi in honour of the Queen's great—grandson.

Have improvements to the main road through Wiltshire actually made the

traffic jams worse? It seems that they may have done. Back in June

English Heritage closed the road next to Stonehenge and dug it up as

part of a plan to return the ancient monument to its original setting.

Traffic was diverted. But this summer has seen record traffic jams,

sometimes stretching for ten miles or more. A public meeting is about

to get underway in the nearby village of Shrewton and our

transport correspondent is there for us tonight.

A special planning meeting of Wiltshire Council is about to get

underway in the village hall here and there are, as you see, plenty of

people lining up to complain. They believe that closing the road past

Stonehenge and pure design of the roundabout not only brought bad

traffic jams but reverted traffic onto narrow rat runs —— poor design.

Coach driver started using this old track to bypass it. I pass every day

and from my experience traffic has got dramatically worse. As well as

this meeting, there is a petition, website campaign and plenty of

people calling for urgent action. This act now for tell you when there

is a queue ahead, you then rescheduled where you are going and

it dumps everybody into Shrewton and the surrounding villages. —— the

satnav will tell you critical. People are stressed and out of their

comfort zone. This needs to be made a jewel carriageway throughout its

length, for the economy and for two is. I am working with several bodies

and people to bring that forward. A feasibility study has been agreed

with the government. What is the authority saying? Wiltshire Council

has acknowledged that there has been significant delays this summer and

that there are some issues with a local road network. The Highways

Agency says it is monitoring the changes. It declined our request for

an interview but said that changes that are deemed necessary will be

carried out as quickly as possible. There is an acceptance year of a

problem, what realistically can be done about it? You have heard the

calls for a jewel carriageway. In the long time that is unlikely. ——

dual carriageway. But the kid be other reasons —— there could be

other reasons for this traffic congestion. There has been a good

team —— arisen season. The problems locally are perhaps one part of an

increasingly urgent issue. A contentious issue there.

19 people have been arrested in the area under operation fortress. All

17 men and two women who were arrested remain in police custody.

Dorset Police have made two further arrests into their investigation

into an attempted murder in report. Two people were seriously injured in

Sea View Road on Monday. One man arrested has already been released

on bail. Officers arrested two other men yesterday.

Idea is to build a controversial biomass power plant has been dealt a

blow today. It was decided that they would not by energy from

company—mac, the company behind the Western docks. It's means that the

company is less viable to be eligible for government subsidies.

Almost a million people are being expected to be living with dementia

by the end the decade. Britain has decided to make 20

dementia friendly cities and towns around the country. One of the

cities at the forefront of the campaign at Redding. It was decided

to teach people at primary schools about what happens as we go on

grappling with the idea of people with dementia.

The other day I came in, I could not find my keys. I looked everywhere

for my keys. I did not know where they were. I had left them on the

outside of the door. A failing memory may just be that. I

say to them, I know my times tables. For a growing number of children in

the classroom, the dementia drama will be real life in the coming

years. We hear all the time about people 's

experiences and the teacher saying that they are aware what is going

on. It is all about taking that fear away and saying to the people that

it is happening more and more, but we can understand it and work

alongside it. It is like a big computer... This'll be the

generation were more more children find themselves coping with

relatives who have dementia. The idea is to take the project to every

school in Redding and possibly West Berkshire. Starting the education

process at the age of ten may seem young for some, but then the

condition itself makes no such distinctions.

I think I have a relative who has dementia. She is in a care home. I

have learned that you need to respect everyone and if someone acts

like that, then you need to respect them and is not just run away and be

scared. Excuse me! Grandparents have always

loomed large in the lives of children, and ever so more than

today. Grandparents and children have a

close relationship, and it is important that children learn the

signs. The whole process is is to prepare

children and their parents who will be moving from being carers to those

who need caring for. Onto the sport. Former Redding brass dry McDermott

was beaten at his return at the Madejski Stadium last night. Adam Le

Fondre scored a 94 minutes goal last night. Royston Drenthe's free kick

was converted. It means that it is the successive clean sheet for Nigel

Adkins's men. We try and concentrate on the game.

I have a lot of time for this football club. Our fans were

fantastic tonight, I am gutted for them. The most important thing is to

get a result. AFC Bournemouth has announced that

Jeff Mostyn is to be their new chairman. He was previously chairman

in the past, seen the club through the administration. He told the BBC

last week that he would be interested in the role. He succeeds

Eddie Mitchell who stepped down earlier this month. And Portsmouth

has style —— has signed John Marquis.

Meanwhile, Sir Ben Ainslie was back on the water last night, but unable

to prevent Oracle USA from losing to the New Zealand. It is the America's

Cup, the oldest ongoing sailing contest. He had been drafted into

the boat, but it was a difficult contest. The New Zealand now just

need one more win to take the trophy, it could do so tonight. If

you have ever had a bit of unwanted office furniture, you may have taken

it to the second—hand shop. It may even end up in a skip. That

is what happened seven years ago when Portsmouth Football Club

decided that they wanted to revamp their furniture. However, there

furniture was very expensive. Here is the story.

On the Antiques road show, there will be a set of chairs that'll make

many sit up and take notice. They are a piece of Portsmouth's history,

made for HMS Warrior. The chairs were eventually donated by the Royal

Navy to Portsmouth but bookclub. In 2006, they were chucked out as the

boardroom was redesigned. To my horror, bees and the table

were in a skip. Literally in a skip. It is part of the history of the

football club. Is why did they end up in a skip?

Apparently, the club's wealthy Russian owner, Sacha Gaydamack,

wanted time —— wanted a more modern boardroom.

It was a frantic exercise. I had a phone call to say that I must get

down in the next hour, because the team of builders were about to

manage the boardroom. If it had been taken out, it would have been

disposed to. This is what the owner wanted to

recreate. The boardroom lost its history, but the chairs have been

stored away for years. It was as a prize when we heard

about them appearing on the show, but will we were aware that these

table and chairs had been missing for some time. Under previous

ownership, eggs have disappeared. We are in the recess of trying to

recover these things. We will be interested in what the club have to

say about these things. It was said that Churchill used one

of these chairs when the set was moved during wartime. A

distinguished Derry air in these chairs with a long history.

We can't tell you how much those chairs are worth. What you think? I

think £500 each. I will go higher, particularly with the reference to

Churchill. I was a £1000 each. If you want to know, you can find out

on the antiques programme on Sunday at 8pm. We will move to the

weather. I have to say, a national newspaper

said that it would be a 75 degrees weekends, an Indian summer. An

Indian summer is more likely later in October and in November.

Not now. We are looking to a warm weekend. Martin Curtis took this

picture of seagulls waiting for a ferry in Southampton today.

And Sloes destined to make the Christmas gin work photographed by

Andy Blakemore. And rain drops on a rose in the garden in Surrey.

It was a soggy day, but the rain did disappear.

Some evening sunshine, with skies staying quite clear. There will be

increasing cloud for northern areas, but in the countryside, cold

temperatures. It will be five or six Celsius. These are the temperatures

in the towns and cities, nine or 12 degrees. There will be some sunshine

on offer tomorrow. I can't promise wall to wall sunshine, but in the

sun, temperatures will be higher than today. We will see highs of 15

to 17 Celsius, and the winds will be lighter than today. So a lovely end

to the day tomorrow, some late evening sunshine. And high pressure

continues to build in from the Atlantic. The gig uses, it will be

dry and settled. There will perhaps be more cloud than sign at the

weekend, although there will be sunny spells in the south. There

will be an East West splits on Sunday, with the wind is quite

light. For eastern areas, they warfare better. You will see more

sunshine in these places and the wind coming in from the consonants.

So, for events taking place this weekend, the weather will not be too

bad. Here are two of the events taking place. The first, Old Skool

Dayz, one of Britain's biggest skateboard events. I am told that

some over 50s are taking part. Also on, is SO:FEST this Saturday. For

the rest of the week and the weekend, we can expect sunshine.

After a cloudy start, there will be slightly more cloud on sunshine on

Saturday. We will see some breaks appearing in the cloud, more likely

the further east you are on the Isle of Wight. And then Sunday is the

best day of the weekend. The warm conditions, temperatures will stay

with us until next week. We have a good story to finish with.

Toy cars, they were a favourite of many boys growing up. But one boy

has got a special vehicle in his collection.

Yes, pupils at Saint Andrews school where the Duchess of Cambridge was a

pupil were asked to design a car to commemorate the birth of Prince

George. The Royals are fond of corgis, and

the pupils here have made sure that this one will be no different.

When I was walking with my mum, I saw a car. I thought that maybe we

could do that. The Duchess of Cambridge was a pupil

at St Andrews. She even returned for a hockey match before Prince George

was born. After looking through hundreds of designs, the company

chose James's pram. We have 500 of these minis. We as a

company have sold out. As well as the toy that will be

rolling out from the production line, Corgi have presented James

with this, the preproduction model. It is the prototype. In car

collection terms, it is very valuable. James chose the colours,

too. Now his work has been appraised by

the toughest of critics, his classmates.

It looks very small. Did you do one? Mine was a rabbit. I like the

wheels. So, a new carriage for royal

appointments. But surely a seven—year—old boy will not leave a

car in its box? I will keep them in nice.

You're not being to race them? No. He is a bright boy. A very good job.

That is it from us for today. An update at 10:25pm. We will be back

tomorrow goodbye.