29/01/2014 BBC Wales Today

independent Scotland. That is all from the News at six, so

Welcome to Wales Today. Tonight's headlines. Helping business to

borrow and boost the economy. A new state-owned bank for Wales moves a

step closer. Tonight, we'll be asking the man who says it's what

Wales needs, how it would be done and where the money would come from.

Also tonight. It's a race against the clock. Helicopters bring in

giant sandbags to protect homes and land ahead of high tides. Speed is

of the essence with high tides due before the end of the week, 300 110

bags of before the end of the week, 300 110

plans for before the end of the week, 300 110

machine. The before the end of the week, 300 110

critics say one may not be enough. And a tough battle, but Swans fans

are celebrating their first Premier League win in nine games.

Good evening. Plans for a state-owned commercial bank for

Wales are a step closer tonight, after the The Development Bank for

Wales would act as a one-stop shop offering financial support for

companies. Plans for further work on a new development bank for Welsh

businesses have been gven the go ahead by the Economy Minister,

Edwina Hart. It follows criticism of the Welsh Government's investment

body, Finance Wales, which new figures show is failing on one of

its key employment targets after creating only 20% of the jobs it was

supposed to through its main fund. Here's our business correspondent,

Brian Meechan. As the scale of the economic crisis began to emerge,

high Street banks pulled the funding from many small and medium-size

businesses. It made warehouses previously in operation begin to sit

empty as firms suffered from a lack of credit. Since then, the question

has been how to get money to those who needed. One has been Finance

Wales, the Development Bank For Wales businesses is the latest idea.

It is about a genuine dialogue about how we take things through to the

next age. Without Finance Wales, some businesses would not have been

successful. Details of how the development bank would do the job

will now be worked out. It will be expected to give advice and bring

together all public funds available for businesses in Wales. Finance

Wales is funded and owned by the Welsh Government. It also has a

European -- it also has European money. Its aim is to help small and

medium-sized businesses get access to finance. The role of Finance

Wales was never more vital recently. Critics say it was exactly at this

moment that the organisation lost its way. Gerard began his business a

year ago but it hit a snag when a fire in the neighbouring unit

prevented him from opening as he planned. He asked Finance Wales for

a loan. That would have allowed him to take on new stuff but he was

turned down. Finance Wales certainly make you feel that you have no right

to be asking for money. It does make you question if you are doing the

right thing. If it was not for friends, family and certainly an

order book that was filling from previous customers, then yes, I

think I would have considered them to be right. But they were not. A

report said Finance Wales was too focused on getting high returns on

its investment rather than stability and economic growth and creating

jobs. Not all agree. It think it should be taken inside the

SMB government. That would give it figures show today that there have

not been the jobs expected. It was given an

not been the jobs expected. It was 15,000 jobs. That was reduced to a

target of just over 10,000. The latest figures show just over 2000

jobs have been created. It now seems that those businesses that were told

for so long that they were wrong actually are right. Finance Wales

clearly has to go and it has to go pretty quickly. As the discussion

continues in Cardiff Bay on the best way to get funding to firms, the

debate will also be going on in the business community over whether a

development and is needed and what role that leaves four Finance Wales.

And Professor Dylan Jones Evans is here. Your idea doesn't have the

full support of the business and finance community by a long way,

does it? When we did the first reports, we saw there was a half ?1

billion gap between what the high Street banks were offering and what

businesses in Wales want to fund their businesses. When we looked at

what the situation was, we saw that for example support from the sector

was fragmented, business support was not working alongside and more

importantly, I think, we did not see public sector funds working

alongside private-sector funds to bring that investment. We looked at

different examples. There are lots of voices saying this is not the way

to go. Now the Minister has asked to look at this, we want a full and

open review as to whether it is a feasible plan and what is

interesting about the fact that we looked at all the facts regarding

the way that business was getting financed, we realised there was a

massive gap and there is a role to be played by the Welsh Government in

working alongside the private sector to ensure that many get to those

businesses. What about those voices who say Finance Wales is doing a

good job? When you talk about the many voices, you are talking about

the 80 people who actually responded to the review. Clearly, there are

people who have benefited. 77 out of 80 who took part in that review said

they were happy with Finance Wales. As I said, there are 200,000

businesses in Wales and clearly the whole aim of this particular bank

would be to be able to help many of those businesses to get access to

funding. At the same time, this was a response to a particular

funding. At the same time, this was what I am more concerned about is

actually getting what I am more concerned about is

moment. And what I am more concerned about is

story in The Wales what I am more concerned about is

10:35pm, here on BBC One Wales. what I am more concerned about is

deliver giant sand bags to improve flood defences in Gwynedd. Homes and

businesses in Llanbedr which were flooded earlier this month are at

risk of further damage, caused by high tides this weekend. Matthew

Richards is there. Thanks. It is all quiet on the

street tonight but it was a different story earlier on today.

The helicopter has been making frequent trips all day to fill up a

crater left by the storm surge a few weeks ago. It should offer some

protection, but those who lost livestock and possessions then are

bracing themselves for a repeat performance. Help from other and for

some, it cannot come soon enough. The new Year was far from Ahab the

one for the people of Llanbedr. They were inundated with sea water when

the war was breached during fierce storms. Trap that their waists in

flooded farmhouses, some needed to be rescued by lifeboat. The waters

have temporarily subsided. The hiatus means that help can be flown

in. Giant sandbags are being delivered to add extra protection.

Speed is of the essence with very high tides due before the end of the

week. The race is on to transport these bags using conventional means

of transport would take too long. That is good news for Adam and

Claire. They heard from neighbours their home next to the wall had been

hit. We are hoping now that with this helicopter dropping of these

bags, it will spare us from another big flood on the high tides that are

coming on Friday and Saturday. Natural Resources Wales has been

years is the last floods working on longer term repairs. Staff say the

high tides need to be monitored. The high tides are expected over the

weekend. In themselves, they are slightly higher than that of a month

ago but there is much less of a storm surge predicted at the moment.

But we are keeping a close eye on that. We have done a lot of

modelling work to prepare for this situation. Obviously, the work we

are doing here will help the local community but we are keeping an eye

on long -- and I along the whole situation. The Snowdonia National

Park authority has lent its support to speed up the assistance being

offered. One of our footbath teams is there with the helicopter,

working with them to get the done work with the licensing to get

things in as quickly as it has had to happen.

There will clearly be an anxious wait this weekend.

There will clearly be an anxious hoping that they can keep the water

at bay. The work being done will not make the defence is watertight

particularly but things should certainly improved from where they

are the moment. People affected the last time, there are houses were so

badly damage they have not returned home yet. They are waiting to see

what happens over the weekend before they can return and make some

repairs. Yes, a worrying time for them. The

Welsh Ambulance Service has missed its target of reaching 65% of

life-threatening incidents in eight minutes. The figure for December was

57.6% down from 63.2% in November. Opposition parties have been

critical, but the Welsh Government said response times were better than

they had been for the same period in 2012. Public Health Wales is calling

for children who haven't had the measles jab to get vaccinated

urgently. It comes as four cases of measles have been confirmed at the

Tycoch Campus at Gower College. There has also been a further five

cases across the Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Carmarthenshire areas.

The former head of a primary school in Cardiff has been struck off the

teaching register. The General Teaching Council's professional

conduct committee found 15 of 24 allegations again Jane Vaterlaws the

former head of St Albans' Roman Catholic primary School in Cardiff

were proven. Among them she's said to have asked a struggling pupil to

stay at home on inspection days and shared details about two children's

progress to a convicted prisoner over the phone.

The farmer behind plans to build a so-called super dairy near Welshpool

has told BBC Wales he's determined to fight on despite the scheme being

halted again. An animal welfare group, the World Society of the

Protection of Animals,- has been granted a High Court judicial

review. Judges will now look at a decision by the Welsh Government to

allow the dairy at Leighton. Charlotte Dubenskij reports. She is

just a few weeks old but this calf is already destined to go on to

produce milk that this farm. There are around 300,000 cows here but the

farmer wants to increase the herd size to 1000. Now the plans have

been put on hold again. The farmer says he is restricted but he will

not give up the fight. But he says the hold-ups are costing him money.

From day one, it has been a massive impact on my business. It has been

going on for five years now. Another 12 months is financially devastating

for myself and my family. We have spent a lot of money on this project

and that is money that is not making anything back. It is a very worrying

and that is money that is not making is. A number of groups have

and that is money that is not making recommended the plans should be

rejected. But in October, the plans were given the go-ahead by the

Minister. This time, the High Court will review the decision by the

Welsh Government. We are supportive of dairy farmers who look after the

welfare of dairy cows but it is quite a year in view of the changes

in dairy farming in this country that a clear planning process is

needed. In our view, such a process that is being followed is not clear

and it needs clarification. At the heart of this debate is the future

of Welsh farming. I did could be another 12 months the four a final

decision is made. -- before a final decision is made. Still to come

tonight. Jailed for fighting apartheid in South Africa. Now a

couple's life story has documented by their son, the Neath MP Peter

Hain. I sometimes look back on it and wonder if that was what we

should have done. But we did. How do you stop? Cancer patients across

Wales, who currently have to travel to England for advanced radiotherapy

treatment, will now be able to get it here. A cutting edge machine,

costing more than ?4 million, has arrived at the Velindre Cancer

Centre in Cardiff. The new technology is the first of its kind

in Wales and will treat thousands of patients every year. But critics say

one machine doesn't go far enough. Natasha Llewellyn reports.

It is one of the most advanced health technologies in Europe. The

treatment targets cancer cells with pinpoint accuracy and offers treat

went up to four times faster than currently available. The

side-effects are also greatly reduced because smaller areas of the

body are affected. It is designed to help people like this woman. She has

been having standard radiotherapy treatment for a month at the Cancer

Centre but would have been eligible for this treatment. The machine I

was on was not anything strenuous to go through. I just feel that the new

technology that they have got will just make the job for everyone a lot

easier and quicker. The technology which cost ?4.6 million has just

arrived at Felindre. It is the first of its kind in Wales. This is the

business end of the machine. The radiotherapy

business end of the machine. The the treatment head. That will

business end of the machine. The rotate. One of the key things with

this machine which sets it apart from some of the other ones that we

have is there is a CT scanner from some of the other ones that we

that is a really important feature. from some of the other ones that we

It allows us to make sure that the treatment is going to exactly the

part of the body that we think it is going to. Until now, patients

suitable for this trip and had to travel to England where there are

several of these machines. That led to campaign groups being set up by

cancer patients in Wales calling for the latest technology to be brought

here. Those calls have been supported by the leader of the Welsh

Liberal Democrats, Kirsty Williams. She told me while it is good news

that Cardiff is leading the way, Wales is still lagging behind. It is

a source of great disappointment to me that we have not been more

ambitious. The Welsh Government was seen quite happy to sit back and let

the situation exist in Wales but I am glad that they have been

listening to people like myself and people to clinicians who also wanted

to get their hands on this vital equipment. The Welsh Government says

the new machine will be able to treat a sufficient number of

patients and all those in Wales who need it will have access to

services. That access will be available in October. The machine

will then be up and running. Today, they are great-grandparents enjoying

retirement in south Wales. But Adelaine and Walter Hain were once

so notorious in their native South Africa they were banned and jailed

for fighting apartheid. Now, their life story has been published in a

book written by their son, the Neath MP Peter Hain. David Cornock has

been to meet them. They were unlikely revolutionaries. They had a

privileged life in apartheid South Africa, a house with a swimming

pool, a maid but they gave it all up to fight the country 's race laws.

Their protest got them banned and briefly jailed. They needed special

permission to talk to each other. With four young children, they

risked everything to help others. I really look back at it sometimes and

wonder if it was the thing that we should have done. But we did. How do

you stop? They did not stop. Their campaigns took them to court to

support friends on trial, including Nelson Mandela. I would go in and he

always used to salute me. It was quite moving. And I remember him as

this big strapping chap. He remembered her to throughout his

years in prison and much later when she was admitted to hospital in

Swansea. It took him ages to get the number of the ward and he said he

wanted to speak to me. He said, it is Nelson Mandela, do you remember

me? They were forced into XL. Once in London, their life of protest

went on. Often hear outside the South African Embassy in London's

Trafalgar Square. Today the tables were turned as

Trafalgar Square. Today the tables to launch the book. Their son says

writing it helped him understand why they took a stand. In a way, it was

easier to understand why black South Africans who were oppressed Sophie

Baddeley fought against the system -- oppressed so badly. But my

parents were making a sacrifice for their values and their beliefs and

their sense of fairness and justice. His parents took huge risks but say

it was worth it. You don't stop doing things just because people try

to stop you. You would do the same again? I hope so. We are a little

elderly for it now. Going back, I hope we would do the same again

because I think it was important. And they say they are still

optimistic about the future of the land they left behind almost 50

years ago. A remarkable couple. Football, and Swansea manager

Michael Laudrup says he's delighted with his side's 2-0 win over Fulham

last night. They've jumped to 10th. Cardiff City meanwhile couldn't

manage similar success at Old Trafford, losing 2-0 to Manchester

United and staying at the bottom of the table. Kate Morgan reports.

After eight Premier league games without a win, David Lee overfull

and was just what the Swansea team needed. -- a victory over Fulham.

Michael Laudrup 's side made the most of the worst defensive record

in the league. They doubled their advantage, taking the team up to

10th. We have to build on this, we have three more games coming up

against direct opponents. West Ham and Cardiff. We have to pick up

points. Robin van Persie wasted no time at Old Trafford in putting

Manchester United ahead. Perhaps not the welcome Cardiff manager

Solskjaer would have wanted. The bluebirds could not respond. Record

signing Juan Mata created the second goal. Cardiff stay at the bottom of

the table. The pressure is on against Norwich on Saturday. We have

two target the home games to get the points. We have come away from here

with a good performance but you get nothing for it. Cornelius is thought

to be set to return home, signing for his previous

to be set to return home, signing Friday. There

to be set to return home, signing conference, Wrexham are now five

points conference, Wrexham are now five

beating Tamworth at the racecourse. Tomorrow night, we continue our

build-up to the Six Nations, by going behind the scenes with Wales'

strength and conditioning coaches. They've helped Wales win the last

two tournaments with their ground-breaking approach to fitness

training. We'll be finding out how the players are getting in shape for

this year's competition. We all know this month has been very wet. Derek

has a few facts up his sleeve for us.

Geraint Edwards from Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog near Llangollen has

recorded his wettest January since 1956. Over 260mm, ten inches, of

rain. And there's more heavy rain to come on Friday. Strong to gale force

winds as well and high spring tides over the weekend. Tonight rain and

sleet in the east and north-east. Wintry on higher ground. Snow on the

hills and mountains. Elsewhere much drier and cold night. Temperatures

close to freezing or just above with a warning of icy patches for most of

Powys and northern counties. Here's the picture for 8am. Feeling cold

and icy in places. Spots of rain, drizzle and sleet in Powys and the

east. A few snow flurries otherwise dry. Plenty of cloud but brighter in

the west. Some sunshine in Aberystwyth and west Gwynedd. During

the day and into the afternoon. Little change. Grey and damp in the

east and the far Southeast. A little rain or sleet. Flakes of snow on

higher ground. Elsewhere dry. Brighter in parts of the west with

sunshine. Feeling cold. Temperatures lower than today. Two to five

Celsius but at least the wind will be fairly light. In the Marches

tomorrow, dull, cold and damp at times with sleet. A few snow

flurries. Only two Celsius in Montgomery. Most of the county dry

and cloudy. A little sunshine in Llanfairfechan. Tomorrow night,

spots of rain or sleet in the east. Otherwise dry. Mist and fog patches.

Some frost and a risk of icy patches. Friday may start dry but it

won't last. Rain will spread from the west later in the morning and

during the afternoon. Snow on the mountains. So turning wet and windy.

Another 20 to 40mm of rain up to an inch or more. The weekend. Sunshine

and blustery showers. Hail, thunder and sleet. Snow on higher ground.

Strong to gale force winds on Saturday and with high spring tides

there could be coastal flooding in the south and west. I can promise

some dry weather over the weekend as well and not quite so windy on

Sunday. The headlines from the BBC. The

Sunday. governor of the Bank of England has

issued governor of the Bank of England has

independence. Mark Carney says governor of the Bank of England has

Scotland would have to give up some powers. And plans for a state-owned

Scotland would have to give up some Wales are a step closer to night.

Scotland would have to give up some financial support for companies. And

that is Wales Today. We'll have a quick update at 8pm, more news at

10:25pm. For now though, from all of us on the programme, thanks for