08/10/2013 BBC Oxford News

Value for money or bad news for the county? Claims that outsourcing

council services will have a devastating effect. Also tonight, a

perfect fit. How children in need is helping a charity that makes bespoke

clothes for disabled people. And later on, from handbags to expand. A

musical that's charged murder at the Gucci fashion house.

Good evening. "A detrimental effect for

Oxfordshire." That's how unions have responded this evening to plans to

put million pounds worth of county council services into the hands of

private firms. Bosses are looking at changes to their human resources, IT

and school support service departments, but proposals to

outsource the county's music service have been reconsidered. It is part

of a plan to make large savings. Overall the local authority needs to

cut an extra £60 million from its budget over the next four years.

Jessica Cooper has been looking at the detail.

Councils claim this is all about giving us value for money, allowing

big firms to run things more cheaply. Opponents question whether

the quality of those services can be maintained, and whether jobs will be

lost in the process. But it won't be one size fits all for these plans.

Large parts of the council's HR and finance teams would be moved to a

national provider IT services would be partly outsourced. Meanwhile

Support Services for schools would be run in partnership with local

government and private firms In all 600 jobs would be affected in some

way — the council leader says he knows it's an unsettling time for

staff. Some council staff, we are not sure exactly how many, there may

be some redundancies. We always try to make sure staff are retained

within the service, so it makes not be in the same department but there

are other job opportunities around the council, we always totally

employ council staff within the council. Controversially the council

had considered outsourcing the county's music service? —— County's

physic service. That's been looked at again, it could now be set up as

a trust instead. The music service works with over 10,000 children,

providing tuition, concerts and events. And some believe a trust

would ensure the right people are in charge. No organisation that could

offer outsourcing would know anything about music teaching or

music services. If you had the trust, your trustees could know

about these things, you may conclude ex—teachers or teachers. People who

know what music education means. The union UNISON has told the BBC

tonight they're "deeply concerned" about the plans. They've said

they'll work with the council to "try and protect as many jobs as

possible". Of course all of these measures will need final approval,

but one thing is for sure, the council has to find a way to save

more money than expected, and there is no easy way to do that.

Police in Banbury are searching for a man who held up a bookmakers in

the town with what's believed to be a gun. Officers say he entered the

Stan James shop on the Highstreet yesterday evening, and threatened a

member of staff. He escaped and police deployed the force helicopter

to try to find him. Officers on the ground recovered a ball bearing gun

close to the scene last night. A spokesman for the Japanese car

firm Honda has told the BBC there is "no chance" that the company will

close its Swindon factory. There was speculation about the plant's future

two years ago, when Honda scaled—back production due to

falling car sales. Swindon is the company's main European base, and

it's also one of Wiltshire's biggest employers, with 2,700 staff. Many

more jobs are connected to the factory through the supply chain.

A project to help prisoners, former addicts and the long term unemployed

in Oxford has proved so successful, it's to be expanded to Banbury. The

Refresh cafe in the city has helped more than a dozen people back into

work, since it opened a year ago. It aims to give them the confidence and

skills to get back into employment. There is quickly big group, a big

community in Banbury, especially, that is socially excluded. Whether

that is through drugs and alcohol or just general social exclusion as a

whole, and through speaking with service users and workers we think

that boundary with service users and workers we think that Banbury would

be a fantastic race to expand. I have gained confidence and other

things I have lost before. The Refresh cafe featured this

morning on BBC Radio Oxford's big tour, which is available now on the

iPlayer. All this week the team are around the Cowley Road. Tomorrow

from 10am Malcolm Boyden will be live from Helen and Douglas House in

East Oxford finding out about the work the hospice does and the

families who rely on the care offered.

A charity which creates specially tailored clothes for disabled people

will be able to work with more children with help from the BBC's

Children In Need. "Dressability" makes sure people with a disability

can wear exactly what they want, regardless of their body shape. This

year is the first it's received funding from Children in Need.

Victoria Cook reports. It isn't easy buying clothes for

Eve. She loves fashion, but most things don't fit. Is that comfy?

You're not ticklish, are you? . Yet When her sister asked her to be

bridesmaid it was almost impossible to find a dress. Then Dressability

offered to tailor one for her. I think it made the wedding, it really

did. She just has one sister and to be part of the big day, it was also

even spectate, it really was. At the moment, the service is only

available to people in Swindon and surrounding areas. —— even's big

day. It isn't a free, but alterations are cheap. It is thought

the charity is one of the first of its kind in the country. If you look

at the back of this top, it has been cut open and replaced with Velcro.

That makes it much easier to get on. At the moment, the service is only

available to people in Swindon and surrounding areas, it is not free

but alterations are cheap. If it doesn't fit we can adapt it to fit

their needs, which is so important. Because that will make them, if they

can dress themselves it will make them independent as well. Until now,

the charity's work has been focussed on adults, but an £8,000 grant from

children in need has allowed it to offer tailored clothes to children.

We are expanding, we have lots of new ideas and lots of projects

coming up, we just need to increase awareness so that more people out

there know what we do and can access service. Now the charity is getting

bigger and busier, it hope this new money will help many more people

like Eve. People who want to get

crime—fighting community projects off the ground in Wiltshire, can

apply for funding from the Police and Crime Commissioner. The

application process is underway for the second round of grants from a

million pound fund headed up by the PCC, Angus Macpherson. He wants to

commission community and voluntary projects, which could help reduce

crime and anti—social behaviour in the county.

Work is underway to create a new wetland nature reserve along the

River Thames in Wallingford. The River of Life project aims to

provide a new home for a range of wildlife and plants, including some

under threat. It's costing a million pounds, and has been funded by the

Environment Agency and money raised locally. The whole project won't be

ready overnight though, it will be decades before its complete. Adina

Campbell has been finding out more. The Lanarkshire near the River

Thames has not been touched for about 50 years, at the moment it is

quiet and peaceful but in the next couple of weeks or so there will be

lots of activity happening, dumper trucks and other big preparations

making way for this huge nature reserve. Over here, this may look

like a huge chunk of green space by the decades to come it will be

transformed into both a male and a half of rich wetland. Wetlands in

general have been in decline for about 100 years or so, mainly

because they tend to be a low—lying areas saw an obvious target for

housing developers and agriculture. But it is hoped that by making a big

nature reserve like this it will provide a rich habitat and ecosystem

for plants and wildlife. Chris Parker is head of land management

from the Earth trust, a major big project here. It is happening in

three phases? It is, the Swan is underway now. That will see about

32,000 of giving metres of soil dug out. The second phase will see the

softer landscaping, some wet woodlands being planted, the bed and

grass restoration. Finally, the Siebel put on an access routes

people can access these new landscapes. We are putting over

£300,000 into the habitat creation part of the work, the whole project

is up £2 million in the trust are raising money the development of the

site to establish the habitat. And then to manage it. And to use it as

an educational resource to teach people the importance of water and

wetlands. Wetlands are important for a whole range of species, water

voles and Newton frogs and many invertebrates and insects. Wads of

preparation happening over the next couple of days, it is hoped that by

Christmas the hard landscaping will be put down.

If you would like to get in touch with us here and tell us about

stories you think we should be covering you should e—mail us, our

address is so today or join in the conversation on Facebook and Twitter

pages. That's all from me for the moment.

I'll have the headlines at eight and a full bulletin at 10.25. Now more

of today's stories with Sally Taylor.

would actively looked at reintroducing a network of regional

banks, should they get into power. Thank you very much. Still to come

in this evening's South Today... She's paralysed from the shoulders

down and training to raise money for a spinal injuries charity. A man has

been jailed for life for the murder of a mother of three from

Berkshire. She was found strangled in Robin Hood cops on June the 3rd.

She was a Nepalese national whose husband was part of the Royal Gurkha

Rifles regiment. Today, 30—year—old Glen John Elson from the area

pleaded guilty to murder and attempted rape.

Vandals are thought to have caused £6—700,000 worth of damage, writing

off three light aircraft that were rammed repeatedly with a stolen 4x4.

Joe Campbell reports. Former British Airways jumbo jet pilot Peter Ford

was removing anything of value that remained in his pride and joy — this

vintage 1950s Cessna aeroplane as it was vandalised overnight. The aim

was obviously right. They came with a four—wheel drive, pushed the

aircraft into the back of the barn here and then came again and, as you

can see, this wing strut which keeps the wing on normally, has completely

broken and snapped the wing off, then pushed it further into the

building, which the wing tip in. It is a write—off. Other pilots were

today dropping in to see the damage and offer sympathy to beat and the

owners of the other two planes smashed up here.

Staff here on the estate were alerted shortly before 7am this

morning. After reports that a number of animals had escaped onto the

nearby Afour. When the team to investigate, they found a gate had

been forced open and further down the track on the airfield they found

this. We're pretty sure they were in after

hours after us —— after here is, not just coursing but driving the

animals over, running them over. That is what it started as and it

has turned into this damage we have here. 29—year—old man is tonight

under arrest in Abingdon after being detained by Valley police.

A bit of a personal question for you.

How many times have you been caught short when out and about, only to be

told your not allowed to use a pub, or a shop's toilet because you're

not a paying customer? In Portsmouth, many premises are

opening up their loos to all and sundry. It is part of a scheme to

make up for the closure of council—run toilets to save money.

Rob Powell has more. Welcome to the people's pretty. This

is a community toilet inside a Southsea cafe, but anyone can use

it, not just paying customers. It is good for us, they come in and use

the toilet, they will usually buy your drink something, take a can or

whatever, but even if they don't, it is fine. It is good to have the

community with all the toilets shouting. 12 of these community

toilets have opened in Portsmouth and they all have this sign in the

window. Community toilets are part of the council pushed to save money

on spending a penny. 12 facilities across the community will close, 12

and stay open and two will start charging 20p a visit. The council

say it will shave 20,000 bones of the public toilet budget but not

everyone is happy. We used to sit here and people come here all day

long trying to get into those toilets. I see men at my age who

need the toilet. I think it will get people started to weep behind trees

and do things anywhere, because there are no toilets. I am not

concerned, but with baby changing iamb, sometimes you have to — in

there. If it means paying 20p and getting a clean toilet it better

than having them not closed down. But the council says some closures

are unavoidable. The council cannot afford all the services we had in

the past but what we can do is to work with those other places,

shops, pubs, community centres, that are happy for people to use their

toilets. The hope is that more businesses will join the community

toilet scheme, saving the council a pretty penny in the process.

Not related to that, here is Tony husband, fresh from his holiday.

From pilots to sport! I got a text saying we are in the

championship! We have had such a good end to the season.

Few would bet it is all set up beautifully here at

Wimborne Road. The fans might not have lifted a

trophy for a change last night, but they may have seen the pivotal race

at this grand final. Signs of nerves were unsure even in heat one. Jason

Doyle burst through the tapes and eliminated from the race. It in a

bold pool to set out into an early lead from which they would never be

caught. —— it enabled Poole. Greg Hancock as wowed speedway fans over

the years. The advantage reached 14 point after seven heats, when

Birmingham rider Dani Keane turned over. The experience of Hancock in

the Poole line—up is confident it by these daredevil spirit of Darcy

Ward, providing a maximum return on the night. Poole rammed home the

advantage late on, a final score of 57—36 giving them a huge lead going

into next Monday's second leg. They are odds—on for what would have been

considered as a prized title win earlier in the season.

Yes, all being well I will go up to Birmingham next Monday for the

second leg. Good luck to the Isle of Wight riders as they raced the

second league of their —— second leg of their national league knockout

Kofi on the island. They have to overcome a ten point deficit against

the Suffolk side Mildenhall Fen Tigers.

Portsmouth and Oxford do battle tonight in the latest round of the

Johnstone's Paint Trophy. BBC Radio Oxford and Radio Solent will have

live commentary. Swindon and MK dons in action as well. Kris will be here

with the goals tomorrow night. Another of Britain's Olympic sailing

pairs have announced they are to end their partnership on the water.

Stevie Morrison and Ben Rhodes finished fifth at the Olympic Games

in London in the 49er class. They have decided not to pursue a place

in Rio and will concentrate on high performance sailing. The pinnacle of

their career together was winning the World Championships in 2007.

Time is running out if you want to nominate someone for this year's BBC

South Sports Unsung Hero award. This is the prize which recognises a

person or a pair who have made a special contribution to sport in our

region. A contribution which sees them go the extra mile to help

people in communities and sports clubs. The winner goes into the

running for the national award at the BBC Sports personality show in

december. running for the national award at

the For more details go online to bbc.co.uk/unsunghero, where you can

download a nomination form. If you don't have internet access there is

a phone number you can ring to have one posted. It is 0845 308 8000.

We have had some fantastic unsung heroes over the years and I am sure

we will find another one this year. Let us hope so.

Jan Crispin was left paralysed from the shoulders down after she broke

her neck in a car crash in 2010. Now Jan, from Winchester, is in training

for a sponsored swim to raise money for the Southern Spinal Injuries

Trust. It funded the spinal unit that cared for her for six months

after the accident. Jan's aiming to swim a mile and a

half — a big challenge with her limited movement. Frankie Peck went

to meet her at her training. I love being in the water, it is the

closest I can get to flying, really, because it is the only time I don't

have someone or something touching me. Every Monday evening, Jan comes

to this hydro sped —— hydrotherapy spy, but her efforts to strengthen

her models are being used to give something back to the charity she

says saved her life. I want to try and raise money for the trust and

also come if I can, raise a bit of awareness about spinal injuries and

what a devastating injury it is that can really happen to anyone, you

know, in a split second. Jan suffered life changing injuries in a

car crash on the A303, three years ago. I broke my neck in two places

and I had a fracture of the hip. I broke several ribs and had a

collapsed lung and I broke my left wrist, as well. With no movement in

her hands, legs or torso, every stroke is an achievement. Jan is

able to do around 115 eight —— she was able to do 115 lengths per hour,

no she is up to 160. Although the training is going well, I won and a

half—mile swim will push Jan to her limits. She needs to do 200 lengths,

so it will be an extra 40 in a similar space of time, so she will

have to work really hard. For name —— Jan all the hard work is about to

pay off as she is well on her way of reaching her goal.

And very Best of luck, Jan. Evita, Les Miserables and Fiddler on

the Roof. They are famous musicals which were inspired by real events.

There may soon be another to add to the list — a production based on the

contract killing of the head of a powerful Italian family. Its not the

Mafia but the Gucci fashion house and the 1995 murder of Maurizio

Gucci arranged by his ex—wife. There's a premiere of the work this

weekend in London and it's by Hampshire composer Marcos D'Cruze,

who joins me now. We have a glamorous couple, divorce,

hit man, murder, a psychic adviser — it is all there, but how did you

find out about the story? I had a very good friend who said to me, you

are standing on the spot where Maurizio Gucci was shot. I said, you

are confused, that is verse actually in Miami. He said, no, right here, I

googled it, formed by co—writer and said, I have a great idea for a

musical. The murder of Maurizio Gucci. He said that is either the

best idea I have heard or the worst. Here we are. It has all the drama of

what I would say is an opera. Yes, old school. It is of the —— female

Othello, Carmen, all those great stories and it was a great

opportunity to write some passionate music. You have is composed some

music, haven't you? That is my take, Flamenco is my job and I wrote most

of it on the guitar. We should say US is using a net, you are not

singing in it, are you? You have the stars doing that. Let's listen and

see what this is all about. Oh, Mrs Gucci.

You excelled as Mrs Gucci you amazed us all.

Oh, Mrs Gucci. How you blazed, Mrs Gucci.

We are just waiting for the sound. View crashing the ground.

A little taste of it there. It is interesting how you raised the money

for this, you did what we called crowdfunding. How did this work? We

developed the platform that we raised the money on. We have done

everything from the ground. It was done at a studio was that was a

converted tractor shed. We rehearsed the whole thing there. The

crowdfunding idea is that people give money because they like the

idea and presumably they will get a ticket to the event? They have is

that, but then we also have some very gifted actors who have a fan

following. Julia Thurston, who plays Patricia, brings a fan base. It is

because of the loyal followers be managed to attract people. We should

explain that on Sunday it is a concert, not a musical. You are

hoping for something big from this concert, ardent you? What we want to

be able to do is present the show and its best form, and that is a

concert at the moment because we don't have the budget for a

full—blown production. We would like a producer to come along. An

impresario. Do you think you will get someone on

Sunday? I don't know about Sunday, but we

already have people sniffing. We have someone on Broadway and

someone on the West End. I cannot say, but they are there already. We

are talking millions of pounds, are we not?

Millions. Fingers crossed we could see Mrs Gucci. Thank you for coming.

We can tell you very quickly it will be premiered on Sunday at the arts

Theatre in London. Good luck with that. We might go to the West End!

Onto the weather, Alexis is here. It has been lovely to be.

Yes, the last of the warm weather today. We have some pictures for

you. Toadstools photographed on Chapel Common in West Sussex by

David Kimberlin—Wyer. Susie Gouveia captured Poole Grammar

School playing fields in the fog this morning.

Susie Gouveia captured Poole Grammar School playing fields in I cannot

even see the playing fields! And Raymond Slack took this photo of

Bembridge life boat station on the Isle of Wight under the sunny skies.

We have been spoiled with the temperatures recently but today is

the last of the one temperatures before the slide back to the

seasonal average. We will see patchy rain tonight, showers or rein in the

initial forecast but it will become drier through the second part of the

night with clear spells, as well. Temperatures will fall to around 12

or 13 Celsius, the last of the mild nights to come. Tomorrow we may see

showers initially in amongst sunny spells, the best of any brightness

during the morning before the cloud increases in the afternoon.

Temperatures will only rise to around 15 or 16 Celsius. These are

average temperatures for the time of year, a three or four degrees drop

on today where we saw a high of 20 Celsius. A dry end tomorrow

afternoon but tomorrow evening there could be some showers at times

before it becomes dry with clear spells overnight tomorrow night.

That will allow temperatures to follow rapidly. A plunging

temperatures, five or eight Celsius below, temperatures may be in the

countryside dropping to around three or four Celsius. —— 548 Celsius is

the law. There is a risk of some pockets of frost but the wind should

keep that I'd be in most places. High pressure is in charge at the

moment and the wind school clockwise around high pressure. That means

they are coming from the North Thursday onwards, called air, the

squeeze on the isobars meaning the winds will be brisk, as well. ——

Calder air. You can see the winds on this chart, temperatures up to 14

Celsius on Friday, dry until the end of the day when rain creeps in from

the near continent. A little uncertainty about the rain, it may

last through Saturday and Sunday and with it the winds will be brisk.

Stay tuned for the forecast latest it should stay dry over the next few

days, Calder on Thursday. We have a sneak preview tomorrow are

some extraordinary artefacts that have been uncovered out of an

Elizabethan house showing life on the property in the 1920s and 1930s.

Be with us tomorrow for that at 6:30pm, that is it for us this

evening. More at 8pm and 10:25pm.