08/02/2017 BBC Wales Today

across higher ground but perhaps even at lower levels of light

dusting to come as well. Winter Our top stories this evening: It's

been described as the most ambitious ever plan to transform the NHS

in South West Wales The NHS is under huge pressure,

not just in south-west And we need to really look

at the models of care we deliver. We cannot keep doing it,

how we did it 70 years ago. Health bosses say the radical change

is essential to tackle the huge We have an exclusive report.

Also tonight, are events like Moto GP a step closer to coming

to Blaenau Gwent? Circuit of Wales bosses

meet their deadline and give the Welsh Government details

of the project's backers. Despite major opposition,

the High Court decides Dee Valley Water will be taken

over by Severn Trent, There's a suggestion prices could

rise and we are a community trust. We can't afford any

price rises here. Learning how to save lives,

but should lessons like these be in tonight's sport, we'll

have the latest on the injuries ahead of the Six Nations

game against England. This school produced them both,

but who should play at number 10? They've been described as some

of the most ambitious plans ever made to transform the way healthcare

is delivered in South West Wales. Health bosses say a unique

collaboration between the two local healthboards and Swansea University

will tackle the "huge "Sticking plaster" solutions

they say, won't do any more. The far-reaching plans are soon

to be submitted to the Welsh Our Health Correspondent, Owain

Clarke, has this special report. After 76 years, you could forgive a

building for not looking its best but would you want to be cared for

year? This part of Morriston Hospital is older than the NHS

itself but since then, the hospital has had to grow bit by bit around

these wartime corridors. Few could have imagined then the things that

happens here now. You can see we have an area of peak pressure. The

hospital 's rehabilitation centre, medical staff and engineers worked

together to design and build equipment which can help seriously

injured patients become mobile. So the NHS and do more than ever before

and the need for Kerry 's greater than ever. It means hospitals like

this one are often stretched to the very limit. But can the system

survive simply by making step-by-step changes? We can't just

carry on as we are. We cannot keep tried to do more of the same. We

need to change how we go about doing things. The NHS is under huge

pressure across the UK. We cannot keep doing how we did it 70 years

ago. 50 miles west of Morriston near the coast in Llanelli, could this

former industrial site be a glimpse into the future? It is going to

create a completely new village. Which the whole world will look at.

What is planned is an entire complex designed to keep as many of us out

of hospital as possible. Using money that could be unlocked by the

Swansea Bay city deal, council money and private investment, new parks, a

sports field and a leisure centre will be located here. There will

also be the first wellness Hotel. Also a rehabilitation centre,

community care hub and accommodation so that so that those that need help

can find it closer to home. The whole idea is to put more money into

keeping people healthy and educating people about how important it is to

look after health. But the NHS would still need to be there when thing

goes wrong and under the plans, Swansea East singledom hospital

would become a centre of excellence for daycare and diagnostic tests.

Morriston Hospital would concentrate on acute care of the sickest

patients. Next door, a medical research campus would be built in

partnership with the University. It covers a population of 1 million

people, 30,000 health care workers. But relatively homogenous stable

population is a wonderful living laboratory test bed for innovation.

And innovation is essential to solve the current challenges of the health

service. So the University can be a conduit between the private sector

and the monolith of the NHS. If we were to give you the impression that

this is a smooth journey, I think we would be misleading you. This isn't

easy. However, the prize is just enormous. But many who live further

west than Swansea have long complained of hospitals losing key

services to bigger towns and cities but how well far health board say

the benefits are likely to be spread across the region. I am not talking

about shifting every service in this organisation. We know that we are

spending money because we are spending a lot of money, a lot more

money, that we've got. On locums. It is no longer about the geography of

the place that attracts a young consultant, it is about the ability

to have research and development, to be able to be innovative in the way

they deliver care models. It has never been done before and we have

tried. I had been in the health service 45 years. We have tried. So,

will these sixth formers be the ones to help plug the gaps? They are

learning first-hand in Morriston what working in the NHS could be

like through a Project supported by technology companies. What I have

seen has made me more certain that I want to go into it. I want to go to

Swansea University and steady their and then move onto the NHS here. The

history of the hospital reflects the story of the entire NHS. Gradually

adapting to meet the populations needs but facing ever-increasing

pressures. The question is, without radical change, for how can that

continue? And you can see more on that story

from our health correspondent, It's been talked about for seven

years, now the developers who wants to build a ?425 million racing track

near Ebbw Vale say they'll break But first, they'll have to meet

rigorous financial tests set Ministers want assurances

that the Circuit of Wales will provide value for money before

it'll agree to be the guarantor Here's our Economics

Correspondent, Sarah Dickins. This is the vision of what

developers hope to bring to the hillside above Ebbw Vale. But this

is still the reality. Empty land after years of planning, debate,

delays and scrutiny, but after seven years, it might have moved closer.

It was back in 2011 that the plans were unveiled. Much needed

investment and jobs for Blaenau Gwent. By 2013, the local authority

had given planning permission but the next year, questions were raised

about how much public money would be tied up. But the developers said

they had the private sector backers that they needed. There are also

fears about the effect on the environment. That led to a public

enquiry into the 15. Then last year it became evident that the circuit

of Wales team wanted the Welsh Government to underwrite all of the

private funding once the track was operating and Edwina Hart, the then

economy minister, said that meant the government would be carrying too

much of the risk. So, what did the developers say it

will all mean? Well, 1600 people would be employed while the site was

being built according to the company. Over the years, there has

been talk of 6000 jobs. That would be a very long way down the track

and only if industry did set up alongside the circuit. The company

target is to attract 750,000 visitors a year from the UK and

abroad and they argue it would inject ?50 million into the Welsh

economy. Today the economy Secretary Ken Skates made a statement. He told

Assembly Members circuit of Wales has given him the information he

asked for about financial backers and it is now asking the Welsh

Government to underwrite less than half of the private investment. In

terms of the due diligence process that will commence on as receiving

all of the information, will enable us to begin that process, we expect

it to take place and be completed in approximately 4-6 weeks, which is a

normal time frame for a project of this scale. Upon which Cabinet will

then be able to consider it. All political parties backed the

project, so long as the due diligence comes out in its favour.

Whilst I do understand the necessity for doing proper due diligence, in a

proposal of this kind, this is a transformational project. If it

succeeds, it is going to be completed transforming the economy

of Wales, certainly in the south-east and mid Wales. Circuit of

Wales says it is working with Welsh Government through the scrutiny

process and says it is looking forward to is starting to build on

the site this spring. But they might end up wishing they had not

suggested such a tight timeline. The due diligence could take longer than

the expected six weeks and the project could fail the investigation

which could then throw out more questions. However the project feels

a step closer to becoming a reality than it has for seven years.

Our political editor, Nick Servini, is in the Senedd.

Nick, are ministers preparing to give this the go ahead?

Well, they are certainly daring to make a decision. It is widely

considered that this will be the third and final proposal put to them

from the circuit of Wales. I think the big problem in the past has been

the mismatch between the rhetoric of the developers and the decisions

made by the ministers, so the previous two proposals, there have

been very bullish comments from the circuit of Wales, only to be

rejected from the Welsh Government and I think it is fair to say that

mismatch is getting closer now. Ken Skates said in the chamber this was

the best of the bids that he had received so far. But that said, the

mismatch is still there. If you look at the statements from the circuit

of Wales for example today, it really gives an overwhelming

impression of dots and... A confirmatory process. Contrast that

with the Welsh Government statement which talks about rigorous tests,

fundamental questions about whether it would benefit Blaenau Gwent and

Wales and even includes a fit and proper person assessment of the

directors. That is standard practice for due diligence but it is unusual

to name check it in a relatively short government statement.

Ministers will have to decide not only on what is being planned but

who is behind it as well. How long until a final decision on this? Six

weeks in terms of the formal process. It will go to the Welsh

Government Cabinet for final approval. There are obvious

political sensitivities ease, most notably that this will happen in an

economically deprived part of Wales and there is a hope in the local

community that this will get the go-ahead. But I think it is there to

say that there is now a really serious attempt to address this real

problem about the level of Welsh taxpayer underwriting which has

really proved such a huge problem in the years that we have seen the

development of this project so far. Police investigating the fatal

shooting of a man near Pwllheli say he died of a single

gunshot wound to the head. 18-year-old Peter Colwell

died in a pub car-park in Llanbedrog in the early hours

of Sunday morning. Four of his friends were arrested,

but have been released on bail. Officers say the results of the post

mortem examination will help them Gwent Police are continuing

to look for two men as part of the biggest drugs operation

in the force's history. Raids were carried out

across Newport yesterday in a crackdown on the supply

of Class A drugs. 28 people have been arrested

so far - in an operation UK ministers responsible

for farming have been criticised by the chair

of the Assembly's Environment Committee for apparently "refusing

to engage" in its Brexit inquiry. It comes after the Environment

Secretary, Andrea Leadsom, Rejected an invitation to appear

before AMs, while Junior Minister, George Eustice, cancelled

at two days' notice. The UK Government says it's

in "regular dialogue" 30 primary school children have been

treated after they developed a rash while swimming

at a pool on Anglesey. Emergency services were called

to Plas Arthur Leisure Centre None of the pupils from

Ysgol Esceifiog are seriously ill, but the cause of the rash

is not known. The centre has re-opened

but the pool will stay shut Despite an attempt by some

shareholders to block it, an ?84 million takeover

of Dee Valley Water looks Staff and local politicians fear

that Severn Trent Water will cut A High Court judge rejected

an 11-hour challenge At a meeting of Dee Valley

shareholders last month, there were protests by those

who felt Severn Trent Water would absorb the company,

centralising administrative staff and ending the smaller scale

personal touches it offers. A Dee Valley Water employee bought

450 shares and handed them out to dissenters in an attempt

to block the takeover. A high court judge said today

rejected what he called It did seem a wonderful

opportunity to provide a voice For many years, we have

been told we are part of a shareholding democracy,

people have been encouraged to buy a small shareholdings

but ultimately, they may not be worth that much when it comes

to a vote like this. 180 people work

for Dee Valley Water. Its bills are on average

around 19% cheaper than Among its 230,000 customers is this

community run leisure centre. With half a million litres

of water in its pool alone, Prices are the main

thing for us here. And it is much easier

if you have a local office and a local company and Dee Valley

have already looked at their charity account to see if they can

help us in other ways. So we wouldn't want to

lose that connection. But local politicians say

they fear the worst. It is a local company,

very close to their customers. And now of course, those services,

many of them will become more remote, centralised at call centres

over the border, so you are bound to lose that personal touch,

so all told, I think it is bad news for the local customers, the local

staff working there and certainly Severn Trent Water has said it's

pleased with the decision. Dee Valley's objecting shareholders

have expressed their disappointment This last-minute bid proved

fruitless to those hoping to try Barring any appeal, the deal

will go through on Friday. It is then up to Severn Trent water

to persuade both Dee Valley's customers and staff at the right

decision was made. Still to come on the

programme before 7pm. These school children in Cardiff

are being taught how to save lives. Assembly Members consider

whether to make these skills compulsory in all schools.

And who would you pick at number ten It's a tough call for pupils

at their old school. In around an hour's time,

MPs will vote on the legislation that will allow the Prime Minister

to trigger of Brexit. The Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn,

has ordered his MPs to vote for the Bill during its final stages

in the House of Commons. But tonight another Welsh Labour

rebel has emerged - the Swansea West MP,

Geraint Davies. Seven other Welsh Labour MPs voted

against the party line Our parliamentary correspondent,

David Cornock, is at Westminster. Well, this is a very significant

moment and Brexit after tonight will be just a little bit closer. The

bill will overwhelmingly clear the House of Commons, it still has to go

to the House of Lords but Theresa May thinks she is on course to

trigger Article 50, start those formal divorce talks with European

Union, give notice of them at least by the end of next month. She is

confident she can do that because Jeremy Corbyn has told Labour MPs to

support the triggering of article 50 and the start of those talks. Most

Labour MPs will toe the party line but last week around a quarter of

them from Wales decided to rebel, including at least one frontbencher

and tonight as you say there is another rebel, Geraint Davies of

Swansea and there may be others too. And but is a political headache for

Jeremy Corbyn, the Labour leader. He now has to embark on a reshuffle and

he has to find MPs who have either agreed to toe the line or are

prepared to toe the line in future. So a political headache for the

Labour Party but good news for Theresa May. David, thank you.

A proposal to make lifesaving skills a compulsory part of the school

curriculum is being debated by Assembly Members.

Conservative Suzy Davies is calling for all children to be

trained to perform CPR and to use defibrillators.

The move has the backing of St John Ambulance who say many

people in Wales wouldn't know what to do in an

These blue pills at Birchgrove primary in Cardiff learn life-saving

skills in a weekly after-school club. It has been running for four

years now and teachers say they have learned vital skills. We look at

things like choking, asthma, resuscitation, wounds, bleeding,

shocks, they learn how to deal with all those scenarios. Laura has

already put what she learned into practice. When we were on holiday,

my grandad fell on the step and hit his arm on the glass. There was no

class on it so I dressed it. They are taught it to the rhythm of a

particular the apt song, staying alive. Every year, around 8000

people suffer a cardiac arrest outside of a hospital setting but in

Wales, there is only a 3% chance of survival, compared to around 50% in

other parts of Europe. There is hope that teaching basic life-saving

skills to children can help address those shocking statistics. Suzy

Davies wants such training made compulsory and she is the first

Assembly Member trying to introduce a law known as aim... Those crucial

minutes between being able to restore somebody's blood circulation

and an ambulance arriving can literally be the difference between

life and death. The move has the backing of St John Ambulance. I

started first aid as a car about eight years old. I have done it from

a very early age. Everybody else can do it. It is better than doing

nothing. A spokesman for the Welsh Government says learners in Wales

are able to develop practical procedures as part of personal and

social education, which already forms part of the curriculum.

Good news for Wales, Taulupe Faletau will be available

for the match against England, while wing George North and fly half

Dan Biggar will be given time to prove their fitness.

If Biggar is ruled out, then Sam Davies, who replaced him

during the win in Italy, will be favourite to take over

Whoever it is, there'll be one Welsh school bursting with pride.

It's always been a big talking point.

This year, Dan Biggar and Sam Davies are vying for the jersey.

Both play for the Ospreys and both used to live on the same street,

Then both were pupils here, Gowerton Comprehensive.

Now, both are locked in a personal battle for that number ten jersey.

Dan Biggar shone at an early age, captain throughout his teens.

Should it be Dan Biggar or should it be Sam Davies?

This is the current crop of Gowerton pupils.

And as you see, the results, completely unscientific

So Dan Biggar has just won it 11 against seven.

Because he's a really experienced player and he's a good kicker,

like he proved last year in the World Cup.

So, I think he'll be good because he played

Let's talk to Joe now, he is the number ten in year ten.

I think he is a very tactical player and he is good under the high ball.

And it could be a risk to play Sambecause it is a big

Jacob is Sam Davies' biggest champion.

Why do you think he should have his first start against England?

We need to keep the generations coming through and if we keep

on picking Dan, other players are not going to come

Whoever starts, this will be one proud school.

We have also got a conveyor belt of talent coming through.

We have got other tens, Phil Jones, Matthew Protheroe,

just at this school and both have played international

The Wales management will decide tomorrow.

The defence coach says Saturday's opponents are the in form

They have got a very formidable attacking outfit

but having said that, we have had the best defence

And if we get back to that sort of form, which I think

we are slowly getting back to, in defence, we will be

The pupils have spoken, a tough call for them,

an even tougher call for coach Rob Howley tomorrow.

Wales netball captain Suzy Drane says they need more consistency

when they take on New Zealand again tonight at Ice Arena Wales after

The Silver Ferns are ranked second in the world.

Wales are 8th and have never beaten them.

After competing at two Olympics, four World Championships and three

Commonwealth Games for Wales, Jemma Lowe is retiring

The butterfly swimmer was European champion and part of the world

record-setting 4X100m mixed medley relay team three years ago.

The Cardiff Devils are aiming to book a place in the Challenge Cup

final, when they take on Belfast Giants tonight.

The Devils trail 5-4 from the 1st leg.

If they get through, they'll have home advantage for the final.

It will be held at Ice Arena Wales next month.

Talking of ice, it's going to turn colder over

the next couple of days, Derek.

It sure is. Yes, be prepared. We are in for a cold snap. Snow flurries in

places. It has been a little cloudy inland Garland today in Denbighshire

but nice and sunny in Milford Haven. Milford Haven was the warmest place

in the UK today, reaching 11 Celsius. Mind you, tomorrow will be

colder and colder still on Friday with an icy wind. Tonight we have

the odd light shower in Powys. Otherwise, a dry story. Some cloud

around but clear in parts of the North and West and colder than last

night. Temperatures dipping too close to freezing or below with a

widespread frost. Here is the picture for Thursday morning. A few

degrees colder than today. Fairly cloudy in the north-east. Into the

south-east, bright and breezy. Should be clear and sunny in

Aberystwyth. Sunshine in Dolgellau and Caernarfon. Sunniest in the West

tomorrow. Some snow flurries possible but most places dry and

colder than today. Top temperature only five Celsius. In Blaenau Gwent

tomorrow, cloudy. Dry and bright on Anglesey tomorrow. Sunny spells and

chilly, for degrees in Llangefni. Tomorrow night, mostly cloudy. A

dusting of snow in places, especially on the hills in the East.

Friday's chart shows a big high pressure over Scandinavia and that

means easterly winds for the UK. Those wins dragging even colder air

from the near continent. Friday the coldest day of the week. Bitterly

cold in the win. Snow flurries but not amounted to much. The best of

the sunshine in the West. A cold weekend. Some sleet and snow

showers. The winds stronger on Sunday, feeling very cold.

We'll be back with all the latest in our late bulletin.

But until then, from all of us on the programme,