21/01/2016 BBC Wales Today

like the winter weather for now is a bit of a thing of the

Our top stories: Concerns about a Pembrokeshire boy who died

of scurvy were raised more than a year before his death,

Who is asking the questions? The answer seems to be, nobody is.

A revolution in your rubbish - but we're still paying ?47 million

One Council has become the latest to say enough is enough and they will

no longer be sending any household waste to places like this.

The copyright battle in an Irish court -

It looks like something from Harry Potter -

this is where Aberystwyth University began.

Tonight its future is to be mapped out.

They're practicing mindfulness - should we be teaching it

Dylan Seabridge was eight years old when he died of scurvy in 2011

and yet his inquest heard he saw no doctors, dentists or teachers

from when he was just 13 months old until his death.

Now a BBC Wales investigation has found that concerns were raised

to the authorities more than a year before he died.

And now more than four years on, nothing has been published

about whether more could have been done to prevent it.

India Pollock has this special report.

Dylan sea bridge was invisible to local councils. According to a

serious case review leaked to BBC Wales. The report's author knew so

little about him that it was impossible to draw a richer, she

said. The inquest heard that he did not see a doctor or dentist from the

age of 13 months until he died of scurvy at the age of eight. Scurvy

is caused by a lack of vitamins C. The inquest took place in January

last year heard it was an easily preventable, treatable disease.

Some of the clinical features described by the Amazon -- ambulance

crew were very typical of scurvy, swelling in the lower limbs, a rash

on the legs, and discolouration and bruising, all characteristic

features of scurvy. His parents however do not believe that he died

of scurvy, or that he was invisible to the outside world. They were

charged with neglect but the charges were dropped in 2014. Dylan lived

here in Pembrokeshire, but his mother worked as a teacher in

neighbouring Ceredigion. It was during an employment tribunal by the

council that professionals became aware she was suffering severe

mental ill-health, they contacted home services who told them that

Dylan was home educated. He died a few years later in 2011. The

safeguarding children board looked at the involvement of any agencies

and should have completed the report quickly so that any lessons can be

learnt and shared. The draft review we have seen has never been

published. Four years after the death nothing else has been

published. Mark Dyson is a former solicitor for the Council and was

one of those contacted social services. He also told senior

officials that he was anxious the investigation there carrying out

after the death -- anxious about the investigation they were carrying

out. He also says the delay in publication is worrying.

The whole purpose of serious case reviews is to learn lessons. They

need to be approached with a sense of urgency. If lessons are not

learned with a sense of urgency, these things will have again. It has

been wholly inadequate. They're just does not seem to have been any fully

coordinated response, no sense of urgency, now focus on the child and

the fact that the child is dead. -- no focus.

The council denies those claims and says they are not responsible for

safeguarding Dylan, who lived in temperature. They had to wait until

the criminal investigation was completed, and then the inquest

which took place in January last year. They also said the process was

very complex because of a change in government guidance and the

structure of the safeguarding board. They say a new review will be

published soon. Dylan was home educated, as are around 1500

children in Wales, though we don't have exact numbers because there is

no legal obligation to register the fact you teach a child at home. The

Childrens Commissioner for Wales says that needs to change.

This is rare but probably not the only child under the radar in

Britain. So we should be learning what we can, very clearly, from this

case, and, of course, as quickly as possible.

The Welsh Government did not want to be interviewed but we asked them a

number of questions. They said they would not comment on an individual

case but that you'd non-statutory guidance on home education would be

published soon. Mark Dyson has now retired, giving up his career after

20 years in public service, he says that the fight for a rule and robust

investigation had a profound impact on him. -- full.

You feel that even the threat of reason is broken, or there's

something so profoundly wrong that you cannot put it right. -- the

thread of reason has broken. It exhausts you. It goes on and on and

on. You are just trying to find somebody who can listen fairly to

what you are saying. Not necessarily agree with you, just listen fairly

to what you are saying. And all that I'm saying is, a child is dead,

where are we in terms of learning the lessons? Who is asking questions

as to Mark shining -- asking questions? The answer seems to be,

nobody is. For years on we still don't know

what has happened. That is right. They had to wait for

the criminal charges to end, charges of neglect were dropped against the

parents in 2014. The inquest was just about a year ago. The other

things that had been in play are changes to safeguarding board in

Wales and a change in guidance from the Welsh Government around this

kind of investigation. However, as you can imagine, there is still

criticism of how long this is taken. A new review should be out soon.

And that this has prompted calls for a register of home educated

children. That is right, the Childrens

Commissioner once a register of when children are being -- wants a

commission of when children are being registered at home. It is not

just about home education but loving relationships with doctors,

dentists, other relationships -- but building relationships. I spoke to

an education consultant who said the moment you try to police this

barriers will go up and it will be harder to cooperate with families

who want to home educate their children. She also said the cases

naked inevitable to talk about this register again but at the end of the

day, had cases should not make that laws. -- hard cases should not make

bad laws. The amount spent by councils

in Wales on landfill has fallen by nearly a quarter

in the last four years- according to figures

obtained by BBC Wales. The annual cost has dropped

from more than $62 million to more But that's still a bill

of ?130,000 every day, and the ongoing cost of landfill has

driven one local authority, Rhondda Cynon Taff, to become

the latest to commit to stop All of the stuff we did not want,

did not recycle, and threw away. Crushed up. 3500 tonnes of it

processed every week. Enough room for another 20 years worth. It has

become so expensive to get rid of what we don't want in big holes in

the ground like this, between the UK Government landfill tax and Welsh

Government fines for not meeting recycling targets, so the council

has become the latest authority in Wales to say, enough is enough, no

more landfill for household waste, no more of what we don't want ending

up in places like this. From April, lack an waste from the

area will be burned to generate electricity instead. The ash remade

into something else. It cost us in tax alone, to bury

this rubbish, so it makes sense, there is lots of reasons why now is

a time to change. Most authorities have cut landfill

costs in recent years, the biggest fall slashing a bill by 89%. Other

councils have seen costs remain flat. Anglesey, pretty much zero.

The biggest increase spending, 26% more than four years ago. The

council says it is down to the increase in landfill tax, not

because it is putting more in the ground. They say that improving

recycling rates has helped reduce costs.

This is not recyclable. This is crisp bags or bread wrappers.

Material like this go through heat treatment here, but it does not come

cheap. So budgets are still as tight as ever.

We don't make money on recycling. That is a misconception. The money

we earn goes into running the service.

?130,000 a day is still spent in Wales online full charges.

We have estimated that our current disposal costs could save the

council about ?500,000 per year if that last little bit of recycling

could be put in the right containers.

But of course, changes to recycling do not always go down well. Protests

in Cardiff over new wheelie bins some felt were unnecessary. Anger

over new recycling boxes, some find them difficult to use and

impractical. Welsh Government want a zero waste Wales in 2050. The

methods used to get there in parts of the country are still leaving

some deeply sceptical. Two men from Wiltshire

have appeared in court, to face charges of death

by dangerous driving, after the tipper truck

they were in killed four people, including three men

from South Wales. Robert Parker from Cwmbran,

Phil Allen from Loughor and Stephen Vaughan from Swansea,

died when their car was hit Four-year-old Mitzy

Steady was also killed. Phillip Potter and Matthew Gordon

appeared before Bath magistrates. Staff at the Brantano shoe shop

chain face an uncertain future after it was announced

that the company's gone The firm employ 2000

people across the UK - with 68 staff employed

at eight stores in Wales. The administrators say the shops

will continue to trade as normal The First Minister Carwyn Jones has

warned that Wales would "lose out", if more welfare

benefits were devolved. UK ministers are considering

transferring responsibility for Attendance Allowance,

which is paid to over-65s with a physical

or mental disability. Mr Jones told a House

of Lords committee earlier, he opposed this, and that

the benefits system should "remain Your income tax has been back

on the political agenda. The Conservative assembly member,

Nick Ramsay, has called on his party to look again at its policy

to devolve some income tax powers His comments follow a meeting

yesterday, in which a number of Welsh Tory MPs raised concerns

on the matter with the Chancellor, Mr Ramsay, who's the Welsh Tories'

shadow finance minister, said it was a "big move"

to drop the referendum. This is a completely new area, new

territory for the assembly to be going into. It is understandable

that some people are concerned. One thing is clear, tax devolution will

happen, but in such a constitutional issue do we really want to press a

head without a referendum? I fully understand the concerns of MPs and

think we need to look again at this and I am pleased we have the debate

going on. Our political editor joins me, how

serious is this for the party? It is a big policy for the

Conservatives ever since George Osborne set it out in the spending

review last year, they think it is a fundamental way of introducing

financial accountability to this place. The Welsh Conservatives want

to reduce income tax quite significant if they are in power.

Yet there are clear divisions within the party. We know the Welsh Tory

MPs are split down the middle. Some of the concern at Westminster is

reflected here at the assembly. The Welsh Conservatives are saying that

the group is united, the policy is not going to change. The problem is

that Nick Ramsay speaks on finance matters for them, obviously he does

not see I too high with the party leadership on what to do with the

biggest tax of a lot, income tax. And a row in Ukip tonight over the

candidate selection for the assembly.

Yes, a long-awaited decision from Ukip about who will be nominated as

their candidates on the regional list for the assembly election, the

point being that these people have a very good chance of becoming you

could's first elected members at the assembly. -- Ukip's first. The

party's national executive Midi meets tomorrow. In the meantime

Kevin Amani, a prominent member of the party, has said that if Neil

Hamilton and Mark wrecked less are selected, he will resign. He is

reflecting a wider concern in the party that politicians with no

connections on Wales will be imposed on Ukip for the assembly election.

-- Mark Reckless. This row has been brewing for a few months and appears

to be reaching a head. They're practising mindfulness,

should we be teaching it in every If you're Dylan Thomas -

that's a complicated question. A court in Ireland has dismissed

a copyright claim brought against the Welsh government,

over its use of these two photographs of the poet

and his wife Caitlin. The case was brought

by a company called Pablo Star, which has accused

the Welsh Government of using the images

without permission. Live to Dublin and our Arts

and Media Correspondent Huw Thomas. Two fairly innocent looking photos

of Dylan taken many years ago, but which have been the subject

of intense legal arguments The photos show Dylan Thomas

at the happiest time of his life, just married to Caitlin Macnamara

and playing croquet The pictures were bought five years

ago by a company called Pablo Star In Dublin today the managing

director of Pablo Star Media, Haydn Price, came to court to pursue

claims for damages from six parties he claimed had used the images

without permission - one of which was

the Welsh Government. In court the government's solicitor

argued that the images had been used in tourism information campaigns

as part of government activity, and any copyright breach would be

covered by sovereign immunity Pablo Star's solicitor put

to the judge that the Government's use of the image had been

commercial, and that it should be treated as a straightforward breach

of copyright that could be heard In the end the judge disagreed,

saying a court in Wales or England would be better suited

to hear the case. He also dismissed four other claims

made by Pablo Star for breach of copyright against publishers

from America and New Zealand, a sixth claim against a Welsh man

called Richard Bowen was adjourned - that matter will be heard

again in a month's time. Plans for a ?19.5 million pound

renovation of one of Aberystwyth's most iconic buildings

are being discussed at a public Aberystwyth University hopes

to transform the Old College into a centre for heritage,

learning and enterprise. It's looking to secure

half the money it needs It is an imposing structure with its

towers, smiles, and gargoyles -- spires. It is part not just of the

history of Aberystwyth but of Wales. So the university believe it is

important it remains part of the future.

Ambitious plans to restore and revitalise the college is a vibrant

centre for heritage, culture, learning, and enterprise.

It was originally an market hotel which opened for business in June

1865 to attract wealthy Victorian holiday-makers, but unfinished, it

closed one year later. It was then bought for a fraction of the price

by the Welsh university committee. The first students arrived in

October 18 72. The old College is the birthplace of university

scholarship in the Wales and its style has been compared to a French

Renaissance chateau. Even though imposing, the university wanted to

be a central hub for the community with redevelopment including a

museum, art gallery, cafe, and shop. But it has a hefty price tag of

?19.5 million. We think it will be extremely

attractive to people, not just in the area, but attracting people from

Bjorn. But the university already has an

arts centre and museum in the town which has recently benefited from a

?1 million grant. Is there really demand for another cultural quarter?

It is a fantastic piece of architecture, to say the least, and

it has been there for some time now. To only have it used as a university

building does deprive the public. It needs something to bring people

in to Aberystwyth. Half the money would need to come

from a heritage lottery grant but the vision is for a multi-million

pound face-lift to be complete by 2022, B with hundred and 50th

anniversary of the University. -- the 150th anniversary.

The Double Olympic and World Champion Mo Farah is set to compete

in the World Half Marathon Championships in Cardiff,

the 32-year-old, who's preparing to defend his titles in Rio

this summer, has made himself available for the British team

And the Newport Gwent Dragons need a win or draw at Sale tonight

to earn a home quarter final in the Challenge Cup though they're

already sure of a place in the last eight.

Captain T Rhys Thomas starts after he was cleared of a charge

of allegedly biting Thomas Caballero from Castres,

The former BBC tennis commentator Gerald Williams has died

The former Carmarthen Grammar School pupil was part of BBC Sport's

coverage from Wimbledon, along with presenter Des Lynam.

The Director of BBC Sport, Barbara Slater, said -

he was one of the finest tennis commentators of our time.

Its been described by some as a way to stop thinking so why do some

people want it brought into our schools?

Well, mindfulness is an idea that's gaining ground in Wales

with supporters believing it could help children cope with stress

and tackle long term mental health issues.

Here at this school they are conducting a unique experiment.

But there are sensors, we have to squeeze...

Scientists are testing the children for the effects of something known

as mindfulness. It can be described as a form of

mind training. Mental training, that enables us to notice what is

happening in our minds and our body. It also teaches us to relate our

experience in a more gentle, non-way.

Already popular in the world of sport and music there is now growing

support for the idea it should be on the school curriculum.

The best way to help children flourish, to bring them different

techniques they can use to cope not only with stress, anxiety, and

depression, but also to perform well, to train their attention, to

be able to concentrate better, to be able to regulate their emotions, to

have some control over their happiness, their health, and that

their well-being. They have been practising it here

for two years. Backwards and forwards, just

feeling... To with the scientists that they

have developed a teaching programme aimed specifically at children.

It has made a huge difference, in fact, on occasions when we have it

after playtime or physical education, we are able to practice

this, and it calms the whole situation down.

There is little evidence currently that it makes any long-term

difference to children's thinking. That is what scientists here are

hoping to find. We are hoping to see this training

will help children focus better. Whether they can stay on the task

they are asked to do, whether they can let go of the information that

is relevant to a task. But in Westminster that some MPs

practice it themselves. The chair of the parliamentary group which wrote

this report, she supports the idea of rolling it out widely.

It is just logical. If there are small, simple techniques you can

teach people to help them calm down, during different periods of their

life, then, what is the harm in that?

It is not without its critics. Some parents believe the time could be

better spent learning. But the idea is spreading. This school near

Newport regularly practices it and is now encouraging heads across the

county to train their staff. Meanwhile the research from the

University is expected to be published shortly.

We've seen the last of the frost for a while.

The next few days much milder and changeable.

Wet and windy at times but some dry spells and sunshine as well.

10 Celsius in Milford Haven and tomorrow will be milder everywhere.

Now in north Wales a few people were lucky and saw a glimpse

This photo taken by Aaron Crowe from the Denbigh Moors.

No chance of seeing them tonight or the five planets.

Mercury, Venus, Mars, Saturn and Jupiter are all visible

before dawn for the first time in more than a decade.

The spectacle is visible until mid February.

This evening, cloudy and damp in places.

Overnight some heavier rain and stronger winds will

Lowest temperature around 4 or 5 Celsius and rising.

Here's the picture for 8 in the morning.

Some heavy rain for the morning rush hour.

Poor driving conditions and gusty winds.

But by this time, the worst of the rain should have cleared

from Pembrokeshire and elsewhere the rain will clear

Dry with sunny spells and feeling milder too.

Temperatures in double figures with a south-westerly breeze.

Tomorrow evening one or showers about otherwise a dry night.

Tomorrow evening one or two showers about,

Temperatures in Welshpool falling as low as 5 Celsius.

Some bright spells and sunshine but it won't stay dry all day

with more rain and stronger winds during the evening and night.

A little rain and drizzle but some dry spells as well.

Temperatures well above average with south to south-westerly winds.

So we've seen the last of the frost for a while.

No sign yet of another cold spell or snow this month or early

The headlines: a BBC Wales investigation has discovered

concerns about an eight-year-old boy who died in scurvy were raised more

than a year before his death. I'll have an update for you here

at 8pm and after the BBC News at 10. That's Wales Today,

thank you for watching, from all of us on the

programme, good evening. 500 Words is back - the Radio 2

writing competition for kids with our new judge,

the Duchess of Cornwall! And the final will be held

at Shakespeare's Globe. So, what story are you

going to write?