03/09/2014 BBC Wales Today

A reminder of our main story. Britain will not be cowed, says the

Prime Minister. A year in the planning,

now final preparations as Wales prepares to host representatives

from 60 countries at the NATO And I'm here at the Celtic Manor

where they're busy preparing to Ahead of the summit, the prime

minister visits the Oakdale factory that's won a multi-billion

pound defence contract. He says NATO is

a golden opportunity for Wales. I think it is a great moment to put

the best face of Wales forward, the brilliance of Welsh industry and

people, a great place to come. I think it will be a great

advertisement for Wales. Also tonight,

turmoil at Wrexham council. Ten members of its Labour group,

including the leader, resign. Top international BMX riders travel

to Powys to compete It's been a year in the planning

but finally Wales is ready to welcome world leaders to the

NATO Summit in Newport. Final preparations have been taking

place today and security for Representatives from 60 countries

will meet at the Celtic Manor Resort to discuss issues such

as the situation in Afghanistan Our political correspondent Daniel

Davis is there for us this evening. They have been hard at work all day

here. The media Centre is filling up with journalists from around the

world and they have even got a replica tank on the lawn in aid of

what NATO calls one of the most important summits in its history.

When you are -- when your guests are this important, don't leave anything

to chance. The big issues will be discussed here is the little details

matter. After months of planning, the world will be watching what

comes out of this hotel. We had ten years to prepare for the Ryder Cup

and we have had less than a year to prepare for the NATO summit. Both

hugely important but different spectrums. This is security with 60

world leaders, security is totally different here to what it was that

the Ryder Cup. A few miles away, and pleasant school in Rogerson appears

to be keep getting ready to welcome someone. It was announced that

Barack Obama was going to visit a school somewhere in Newport.

He couldn't have picked a better school. He only started on Monday so

it will be very exciting to beat the president.

Down the coast, a show of the literary night in Cardiff Bay. NATO

is showing off its warships. The latest to fly in with this one.

Everyone is getting ready, either protesters who wish NATO wasn't

here. There are around 100 at eight peace camp.

They have threatened us. They have got the policeman guarding the

motorway because they were talking about invading the motorway and

stopping the traffic so I think for the moment it seems comparatively

small and containable. The reason for this activity, so

Western leaders can agree foreign policy. First to arrive was the

Secretary General who arrived at Cardiff airport earlier.

We will also discuss Iraq, Syria, the situation in the Middle East and

North Africa. All in all, you see an arc of crises surrounding NATO. This

summit will be conducted in a very efficient manner and when it comes

to substance, it will produce significant results.

The biggest physical gathering the UK has ever hosted is upon us. 60

government leaders with staff and journalists are on their way.

People in Cardiff and Newport will have seen the level of security that

is to be expected. It is an event that will reflect well on the whole

of Wales, from Newport to Holyhead. We want them to take away Wales on a

plate. The ingredients are from Wales and sourced locally. We are

using everything in the locality. Newport, ask, Monmouthshire, Brecon

and West Wales. Even in North Wales. Russia and the Ukraine crisis,

turmoil in the Middle East, withdrawing from Afghanistan. NATO

has enough on its plate. The world is waiting to hear what the leaders

of the Alliance will decide to do and this is where they will take

their decisions. Dan, NATO has a lots to talk about.

Can they really solve it in two days?

It is not just the staff here at the Celtic Manor that have been getting

ready for this summit. In governments around the world, at the

NATO headquarters in Brussels they have been laying the ground,

drafting proposals and preparing communications. What will happen in

the main building behind me tomorrow is world leaders will be asked to

ratify the proposals to approve these decisions and agree a way

forward on what was described today as the Ark of crises that are

encircling NATO members. NATO are calling this one of its

most important summits. Why is that?

Well, because they have so many trouble hotspots flaring up on its

borders. We have seen yesterday the second American journalist killed by

Islamic state fighters in Syria. We get there is a British hostage being

held there as well. The Ukraine crisis has really focused minds

here. You can see there is a lot for NATO to talk about and a lock for

NATO to talk about and a locked fridge to get to grips with. People

will be watching here to see what kind of NATO emerges. It is an

organisation ready to confront new challenges.

You have been there all day. What is your sense of the preparations?

Just to give you an idea. It is a hive of activity. You get the

impression that someone important is about to arrive. There has been a

lot of noise and banging as temporary buildings go up. You can

see these model replica talks behind me -- tanks. There have been a few

real jet fighters buzzing overhead during this afternoon. There has

been a lot of planning gone into this event. It is reaching fever

pitch as world leaders prepare to arrive, including Barack Obama.

There's been some disruption for motorists in the past week ahead

of the NATO summit, and there will be more over the next few days.

The table is all set, and we've already been warned to

For schools that's meant deciding whether to stay open or close.

We understand 40 schools will be closed and a further 70 are to see

So if you are one of those parents trying to rush home earlier than

usual, or indeed anyone trying to negotiate your way around those

metal fences tonight and tomorrow, this is the latest advice.

Police says there could be significant disruption

at certain points around the Celtic Manor and the centre of Cardiff.

Some roads will be closed from 8:30pm

Rush hour tomorrow evening and Friday morning are expected to

be the most difficult times but there is still no intention to

Cardiff Airport where some delegates are flying in is open

for business as usual during the summit, though passengers

are being asked to allow extra time to get in and out of the airport.

There will be extra trains between Cardiff and Newport.

And our major hospitals say they're planning to run

For more information about the NATO summit, you can go to our website.

And of course we'll have all the latest

A man was airlifted to hospital with serious injuries he received

in one of two crashes which closed the westbound

carriageway of the A55 near Llandudno Junction this morning.

The closure caused long tailbacks between the Colwyn Bay and the Conwy

tunnels with drivers urged to take a 35-mile diversion through Snowdonia.

The police are appealing for witnesses.

Ten members of Wrexham council's Labour group, including the leader,

have resigned from the party today blaming negative

The row follows months of disagreement over a number

of issues and comes a week after Councillor Malcolm King was

sacked after raising concerns about child protection services.

Matthew Richards is at the council's headquarters.

Lucy, this row had been brewing for some time. Things have now come to a

head with ten of the 23 Labour group resigning. The council leader says

the reason is interference and criticism from what he said were

elected and unelected members of the Labour group. He was referring to

members of the group and advisers. This criticism was over the decision

to close a leisure centre in Wrexham, which may or may not be

handed over to a community group to run later in the year. There was

also the sacking of a counsellor. Neurologists says he felt he had no

option because of -- Councillor Neil Rogers says he felt he had no option

but he had to make this regrettable decision along with his colleagues

after 40 years in the Labour Party. My colleagues and I have come to the

end of our time with these people. There is negative interference

because I cannot continue in this mode. We want what is best for the

people of Wrexham, not for individuals to have their own

agenda. Where does this leave the running of

the council now? The deputy leader of the council

said to me today this could not have come at a worse time because the

council is trying to work out how to finalise its budget and it has to

make ?50 million of cuts this year alone. Decisions are due shortly,

including the leisure centre decision. This means there is no

overall control of the council so there will be lots of discussions

behind closed doors between independent councillors and other

parties to decide whether they will accept membership from these ten

ex-Labour politicians. They say services will continue to be run as

normal but a lot of opposition politicians and their Welsh

government has said that is one thing the people of Wrexham must not

be let down by this distracting set of circumstances.

Schoolchildren write their hopes for the future for world leaders

And braced for some top class stunts.

Some of the best BMX riders in the world in Powys

Welsh ambulance workers have voted in principle for industrial action.

The union asked its members if they would be willing to take action if a

formal vote was called. Our health correspondent joins me now. What

does this mean? It has now confirmed a short time

ago that one of four unions that represent its workers has informed

them this afternoon that following a ballot of the members, they have

passed a vote of no-confidence in how the Ambulance Service is run and

they will proceed in principle to formal industrial action, should

there be another vote. That doesn't mean there will be a strike. They

will need to be another vote before we go down that road. This really

does illustrate the disquiet in the amylin service at the moment. The

service that hasn't met its most urgent targets for most of the past

two years. Unions have been complaining about high pressure on

staff and lack of resources, even though last week the Welsh

government announced ?4 million worth of extra investment in new

equipment. The Conservatives say this vote is a damning indictment of

Welsh Labour's record. What it does show is the strength of disquiet

within that service. The Ambulance Service says it is disappointed,

giving it is trying to make improvements.

A nursery in Aberdare has been forced to close

its doors while social services investigate what they call

The Stay and Play Nursery, which looks after more than 30

children under five, has had its registration suspended by The Care

They carried out an inspection of the nursery

following an anonymous complaint about leadership and management.

There's been a rise in the number of deaths involving c.difficile

in Wales for the first time in five years.

New figures show that last year the infection was mentioned on the

death certificates of 177 people across Wales, 22 more than in 2012.

The Welsh Government says it's disappointed with the increase, and

has a zero tolerance approach to all healthcare associated infections.

The search for the missing boy Isaac Nash is continuing

The 12 year old from Huddersfield was swept out to sea on Friday,

while on holiday with his family at Aberffraw.

Today's operation has involved the police helicopter

The first theatre performance at Bangor's new Pontio arts centre,

which was due to happen later this month, has been postponed.

Organisers say construction work on the ?45 million project is

It's hoped a sell out opening gala featuring the opera star Bryn Terfel

Part of the building we were due to receive today was not ready so we do

not have possession of... We have always decided that we are going to

open the building in phases. Phase one contains the theatre and

associated spaces but that is not ready and we cannot take possession

of it this week therefore we have no other choice.

Let's return to the NATO Summit now, and there have been months

of preparations for the summit, and not just security.

General dynamics has received a big contract. The Prime Minister visited

the site. The largest single order placed by the MoD for armoured

vehicles in more than 30 years. Our correspondent spoke to the Prime

Minister before the NATO summit and began by asking how he was enjoying

his visit after criticising Wales in the Commons.

I never criticise Wales. I love Wales. I think Wales is a fantastic

part of the UK. I do criticise the Welsh Labour assembly government for

some of the decisions they have taken. I think specifically on

health. I think they made a mistake, deciding to cut the NHS. In England

we decided to keep spending on the NHS. I think that was a mistake.

They haven't met their cancer targets since 2008 and there

accident and emergency target since 2009. Attacking the Labour

government in Cardiff when they make a mistake within my realm of

responsibility, just as the Labour government in Wales attacks me. I

want to ask you about Scotland. I appreciate you are probably not

thinking about devolution in Wales at the moment but the polls are

suggesting it is going to be very tight in Scotland. I wanted to get a

sense from you about how you think Wales will fit in to devolution in

future and whether it is automatically going to be more

powers being devolved? We are a family of nations and I have always

believed our family is strong because we choose to stay together

which is why when Scotland had a National party government and wanted

a referendum, I said you must have a legal and fair referendum.

I don't think that evolution has to proceed at the same pace in every

part of the UK. With Wales when there has been a demand for extra

powers, I have granted that referendum. The last time we spoke

with in very different circumstances. We spoke about the

structure investment and use of the UK Government was funding the

publication of the South Wales valleys rail network. --

electrification of the South Wales valleys rail network.

Are you close to a deal? What I said is that there was a set of

agreements that linked together the funding of the electrification of

the main line into Wales and the Valley line as well. They are the

responsibility of the Welsh assembly government but I am sure an

agreement will be reached. We are doing our bit in Westminster and the

Welsh government needs to do its bit in Cardiff. Then this work can take

place. That was our political editor

speaking to David Cameron a little bit earlier.

From the chef preparing the food for world leaders, to the craftsman

The fruits of their labours are about to be seen and tasted.

Paul Rathkey's run this bespoke furniture company near Cowbridge for

years but then a couple of months ago, the phone rang asking him to

His company near Cowbridge has built the table around which the NATO

The workers here have spent weeks getting every one

of its 50 pieces ready, before transporting the table to

We have had a few problems in far as making sure the table all goes

together and making sure it is all right. It is a big table to

assemble, 25 metres by 15. Everything has to be perfect and if

we are 8mm out, it will chuck all the sections of the table out. It is

quite critical we make sure everything is perfectly matched and

everything is finished. For celebrity chef Stephen Terry,

running a kitchen under pressure is But tomorrow night the stress levels

will probably be higher than usual. He'll be in charge

of preparing the dinner for the NATO leaders at Cardiff Castle and

everything will have to be perfect. I am doing the blue ribbon event and

cooking for the main world leaders. A dinner for 35 or 40 people with

Angela Merkel, Francois Hollande, President Obama and associated

people. Tomorrow morning, some of these

children from Mount pleasant primary in Newport may be lucky

enough to meet President Obama. In the meantime they've been busy

writing postcards to him and the other NATO leaders telling them

how they'd like the world to be. This morning they joined pupils

from other parts of Wales to show What does it say?

When I'm growing up I hope people will not waste money and make sure

there is food and water for children across the world.

When I grow up I want all children to be able to go to school because

everyone should have equal rights and even if they are a boy or a

girl, black or white. Do you feel the excitement of the

NATO summit? They be not the excitement of it. --

maybe not. If you have seen the pictures and you have got relatives

or friends in Cardiff and they are telling you about the police and the

fencing and all of the media going around, you do get a little bit of a

case for it but maybe not so much as being in the middle of it.

Smaller versions of the children's postcards will be

put on the table next to each world leader for them to read at the main

Football and Wales's opening European Championship qualifier

will take place at Andorra's national stadium next Tuesday.

The synthetic 3G pitch passed a FIFA inspection.

There had been concerns over the speed of the ball on the surface but

Glamorgan's County Championship match at Kent ended in a draw.

Graham Wagg hit an unbeaten century to help Glamorgan reach 415

for nine, declared in their second innings in Canterbury.

Some of the world's top BMX riders are gathering in Powys ahead

of a competition tomorrow to test out a track higher than any other

The group will ride a dirt quarter pipe built into

The site at Revolution Bike Park claims to be able to send BMX riders

There's not another one like this in the world, and to ride it you

Built into the side of a quarry in the quiet village of Llangynog

the owner of the bike park explained to me the

James Foster wants this part of Powys to be

In our business it is about trying to push the boundaries of what

people have been doing before. In here we are looking at what is

possible. As time goes on, we are part of the progression of the

sport. And with riders from

across the world here its reputation This is known as a quarter pipe.

There isn't one like this in the world because of its size but also

because of its service. They will hit speeds of 40 mph and 50 mph.

It's the equivalent of jumping two double-decker buses.

For the riders they've never experienced anything like this The

By the time you are at the bottom your eyes are tearing up because

there is so much wind. I definitely got the most air I've ever caught in

my life. It was quite scary because I almost hit a wall that I missed it

by about that much. I got lucky. The course was designed

by top BMX rider Sebastian Keep and took the idea and sketch drawn

on a piece of paper to Red Bull. They were looking for potential

ideas and they liked it. That felt good.

So with the owners approval it was built and the competition will take

place tomorrow, attracting hundreds to this small town,

Let's hope it stays dry for that competition tomorrow. How is the

forecast looking? It is looking pretty good and it

will stay dry for the competition. A wonderful day across much of Wales

Today. Eyes of pitiful Celsius across Ceredigion -- highs of 24

Celsius. Another dry night with cloud. This is the satellite

picture, making sense of the cloud across Wales at the moment. The best

of the brightness along the coastal areas, continuing tomorrow. Through

this evening a fine evening with quite a lots of cloud around with

some hints of brightness. Another quiet night and fairly mild with

plenty of dry weather to look forward to. Temperatures between 12

and 14 Celsius. I pressure is sitting comfortably across northern

Russia and Scandinavia, bringing fine weather in Wales. A weather

front sneaking into Scotland and Northern Ireland but the high

pressure will block that out for Wales. A dry starts tomorrow in

Powys but a cloudy morning. For Wrexham, Denbighshire, flinch and

Connelly, there will be some hints of brightness. -- flinch I. In

Carmarthenshire there will be a little bit of cloud. The sunshine

gets to work, learning through the cloud, mist and fog so the weather

improving so by the afternoon we will start to see a little bit more

cloud. Highs of 19 or about 21 Celsius. A quiet night tomorrow as

well with variable amounts of cloud. Some mist and fog forming and

temperatures very mild indeed, tween 11 and 16 Celsius. We end the

working week on a fine note with highs of 16 or 21 Celsius. Variable

amounts of cloud but essentially a dry end to the week. By the time we

get to Saturday we will see a few showers across mid and North Wales

force op head further south and west it is drier, feeling cooler through

Saturday and Sunday for the weekend. A British man has been threatened

with death by Islamic state fighters. A video has been released,

appearing to show the beheading of a second journalist. In it they

claimed a British journalist would be next.

On the eve of the NATO summit, the Secretary General says it faces an

arc of crises, stretching from the Middle East to the east of Europe.

The present stiffs from 60 countries will meet the Celtic Manor resort

tomorrow. We will have a quick update for you

at 8pm and more after the BBC News at ten but that is Wales Today. From

all others on the programme, thank you for your company and good

evening.