18/12/2013 East Midlands Today

let-up. Thank you. That is all from the BBC News at Six. Goodbye. Now

This is East Midlands Today with Geeta Pendse and me, Dominic Heale.

Tonight: a warning that homeless people could die because of council

spending cuts. This is one of several hostels that

would close, forcing people onto the streets.

40 million in the red, the financial crisis facing three Leicester

hospitals. Plus, could some of our smaller

councils go bust after the government's latest funding

announcement. And find out why the deed pudding is

no longer a festive favourite. `` figgy pudding.

Welcome to Wednesday's programme. First tonight: a warning that

homeless people will die, if council cuts go ahead. It's come from the

head of this region's largest homelessness charity.

The Framework 0 homelessness charity.

The Framework Housing Association says all of its hostels and

supported housing in Nottinghamshire, would have to

close. The charity's helped hundreds of

people sleeping rough here in the East Midlands this year. And it's

already 0 East Midlands this year. And it's

already sending some to emergency shelters that have been set up in

churches. Our Social Affairs Correspondent, Jeremy Ball, is in

Gedling near Nottingham tonight. This is Elizabeth House. It is a

hostel for people who went somewhere in urgent. It is one of several

centres which could soon be facing closure. That is happening just as

demand for these services is growing. So much so, some people are

now being sent to sleep in churches. The last resort, when your luck runs

out. A space on a flaw in a church hall. Lloyd used to be a chef but

when he lost his job, he got stuck in a vicious circle. Six weeks, I

got 0 0 0 in a vicious circle. Six weeks, I

got no money. My got closed down because I missed an appointment

because of my homelessness. I had to make a new claim, start all over

again. This being here has brought me from the street, to somewhere

warm and comfortable. You can meet a few 0

warm and comfortable. You can meet a few people. They are my brothers.

Lloyd is one of more than 20 homeless people who moved in this

week, one of several churches that are taking turns to offer shelter

and tea and toast ease, before being referred by a drop`in centre.

There's a waiting list. It is not just the emergency help. It is

putting people on the path to rebuilding their lives. At a softer

sugar. It's striking how many of these men had jobs until the hard

times ahead. Stephen walked here from Liverpool after his market

stall takings dried up. I was living in darkness for a few months. Had to

come back to Nottingham and now I am at the bottom of the ladder and am

trying to work my way up to the top. I 0

trying to work my way up to the top. I know I can do it because I've done

it in the past. The winter shelters are part of a wider push to

eradicate the rough sleeping. The official figures have been falling

for years. Now there are warnings that progress could be jeopardised

by cuts. Jason runs Rumsey outreach service. We have worked with people

in their 70s, suffering with cancer that we found rough sleeping, and

we've also found 16`year`olds. If the cuts go through, if there are no

facilities 0 the cuts go through, if there are no

facilities to refer people into and no preventative services, were going

to see an impact on the streets. We will see a rise in rough sleeping.

These temporary shelters are not the solution but for now, they are

providing a lifeline. And it is a similar picture across

the region. In Derby and another group of judges are providing

temporary shelters, just as the City Council cuts funding for voluntary

groups. In Leicester, to 0 Council cuts funding for voluntary

groups. In Leicester, to shelters are currently under threat. The

council there is looking at getting ?1 million from its homelessness

services. In Nottinghamshire, there are cuts from the County Council

grant. We can talk note to the Chief Executive of... In the course of the

year, we work with 6000 very vulnerable 0

year, we work with 6000 very vulnerable people 0

year, we work with 6000 very vulnerable people across the

county, including about 400 people who use services like this one.

Before the services existed, people did die on the streets and if they

close, I'm afraid that is likely to happen again. What is going to

happen to the people who live here at the moment? Some of them will

sleep rough. Some will end up in hospital or in care homes or

prison. More people will present to accident and emergency departments,

to GPs and all kinds of public services. That will have a cost. The

County Council service and we don't have the money because of cuts to

their funding. Are their hands not tied over this? Central government

is reducing funding but to no where near the extent of the cuts we are

facing here. Notts County Council say they are still talking about

finding alternative funding services but they say they have a legal

obligation to provide other services and prioritise those. We will have a

final decision sometime in the New Year.

Finance bosses at Leicester's hospitals have revealed they'll need

an emergency government loan to bail them out of debts of almost ?40

million. The University Hospitals of

Leicester Trust admits that its cost control has been poor. And as

Eleanor Garnier reports its blaming the overspend on rising patient

numbers and a lack of funding. Here in Leicester, we've got one

very sick patient, the University hospitals 0

very sick patient, the University hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust. It

runs the city 's three hospitals and it needs help. The symptoms, debts

of almost ?40 million. That is against the trust's annual turnover

of ?750 million. Today, 0 against the trust's annual turnover

of ?750 million. Today, and admission, that cost control has

been poor. We as a healthy economy and a trust could clearly have done

better. We are working closely with our partners in the health

economies, the clinical commissioning 0

economies, the clinical commissioning groups, 0

economies, the clinical commissioning groups, to work out

better ways of meeting those challenges of access, patient

quality and finances. How has the trust ended up in this financial

mess? Well, it started the year ?15 million in the year ?15 million

infrared and on top of that, hospital bosses say there has been a

lack of funding, compared to previous years. They are also

blaming a substantial increase in the number of patients coming to

access and emergency. Patients should not worry. This is a

financial issue. It will be dealt with by the NHS. It is just about

juggling around the money. They will not see any impact on the wards.

Hospital is still recruiting nurses and doctors. They are having a full

confidence of staff. There should be not be any changes inside the at

all. The trust has already had ?30 million of extra funding in the last

two years. But now, if it is to avoid being put into special

measures, more serious treatment is needed. Hospital bosses are

admitting, they need a government loan to bail them out. A large

deficit at our hospital trust is of concern. However, the important

thing is, we work together to try and 0

thing is, we work together to try and develop a sustainable health

care model for our population and ensure we meet their needs in the

future. I'm confident we can do that. Clinicians and politicians all

agreed that until care in the community is transformed, 0

agreed that until care in the community is transformed, fewer

people end up in accident and emergency, this patient's vital

signs will not improve. Still to come: cold comfort for

residents banking on a warmer Winter.

People on 0 Winter.

People on this estate paid up to a thousand pounds to insulate their

homes. Now they've been told it could be months before the work's

done. And in the weather, a stormy evening

ahead with strong winds and heavy rainfall. 0

ahead with strong winds and heavy rainfall. I 0

ahead with strong winds and heavy rainfall. I will have your detailed

forecast at the end of the programme.

Before that: A number of local councils could end up going bust or

have to merge because of government demands that they cut their budgets.

That's according to an influential committee of MPs.

Today, the Communities and Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles

ruled out extra funding to take the financial pressure off some local

council services. Instead, he confirmed a 3% cut in

the next round of funding and called on councils to continue to find

sensible savings. Our Political Editor John Hess joins us from

Downing Street. So John, no surprise Christmas treats from Eric Pickles?

Actually, there is no surprise extra cash underneath the Christmas tree

this year. For a prime as to who is committed to deficit reduction, this

is why local authority spending matters so much. It still accounts

for a quarter of all government spending on the public services and

today, the Communities Secretary and his ministers announced how much

funding local authorities will get over the next year or so and in

exchange dashed in exchanges in the House of Commons, that in turn

provoked fury. Is he aware that in Derbyshire, the Tories lost control

last May and they have left behind the biggest mess that Derbyshire

County Council have had to deal with. ?151 million in cuts. Isn't

the truth of the matter that this Tory government, with its coalition

allies, are intent on wrecking the public sector and bringing local

government to its knees? I would suggest he goes back to his now

Labour`controlled authority and ask them to do what the last authority

was doing, which is magic that is evident it better so they don't have

to punish taxpayers by increasing council tax, please their council

tax which we have done and make it better for their local residents. So

the message from the government as there is no letup in the squeeze and

no letup in the pressure on local politicians to try and guarantee a

freeze in council 0 politicians to try and guarantee a

freeze in council tax. To view is mad, one from a Derbyshire Tory MP

who was once the leader of a local authority. First, the views of a

Nottinghamshire County Council were who was responsible for finance, who

says trying to balance the budget whilst squeezing and freezing

council tax is Mission impossible. Certainly, over the past four years

of the previous abstraction, we have seen a zero council tax which has

put us in the position that we were in in May of ?133 million of deficit

in our budget. We are now facing ?154 million deficit in our budget

as a result of the further spending review and George Osborne's further

cuts. I hope they will have more imaginative ways of saving money and

providing 0 imaginative ways of saving money and

providing value for 0 imaginative ways of saving money and

providing value for money services. One really good idea that is

happening now in the south`west is to councils have come together,

politically different, they are keeping their councillors but all

the back`office work is going to be merged together with one council. A

huge opportunity for savings. A report from MPs on the Public

Accounts Committee is already warning that if the cuts continue,

some smaller councils will go bust and they will not be viable. I

suspect it will be... A woman and a young child have been

rescued from a house fire in Nottingham, with the help of their

neighbours. The Fire Service was called to 0

neighbours. The Fire Service was called to Roderick Street in Old

Basford at eleven o'clock last night. Police are trying to

establish what caused the blaze. Onlookers described how a neighbour

helped to rescue the child from the upstairs bedroom. A chap had gone

upstairs and was searching in the bedroom. He found the little boy. It

was full of smoke but he felt, found him in the bed underneath about

bucket. He passed him at the neighbours. If they hadn't search,

that little boy probably wouldn't have been here today.

The number of people who are unemployed in the East Midlands has

fallen by almost 24,000 in the last year. Government figures released

today show there are now just over 79,000 people claiming Job Seekers

Allowance. The Chambers of Commerce in the East Midlands are welcoming

the drop in unemployment, but say figures for January and February

will be better indicators of the economy.

More than 300 people have so far signed two petitions opposing the

possible closure of a charity that helps vulnerable children. Safe and

Sound, based in Derby is worried the loss of its council funding could

see other donations dry up. It helps victims of sexual exploitation.

Senior police officers have said it's vital that Safe and Sound

continues. An apology's been given to residents

who've paid up more than a thousand pounds for home insulation, with

little or nothing 0 pounds for home insulation, with

little or nothing to show for the money.

One couple on the Clifton estate in Nottingham say they face a wait of

six months before the government`backed Green Deal work

can be done. The organisers, which include the City Council, say

administrative changes have led to delays.

David showed me his house on the cliffs estate in Nottingham,

surrounded by scaffolding. He is a homeowner and has paid out more than

?1600 since October, for installation. He says he still

doesn't know when the work is due to start. Frustrated, annoyed. The fact

that somebody's got my money and if anybody else, a builder would have

come along and said to me, we will start some work on your house but we

will deal with it when we feel like it, I would have kicked them into

touch and said thank you, not for me. The owners should get a cashback

payment of up to 16`650 pounds from the Green deal when their concrete

homes insulated. The City Council is working with the contractor. They've

had 0 0 working with the contractor. They've

had to build in `` bring in another third party to run the cashback side

of things. Switching from British Gas, who declined to get involved in

mid`November, to a local company. Some other rules changed as well.

Disappointed and all the partners are equally frustrated. We have

regular meetings. We go through where things have got to. I am sorry

that so much administration has got in the way. Down the road, his

mother and father house. They sign up to, paying more than ?1400 in

early October. There have been told work could start in March. We keep

getting put back and put back. We are 0

getting put back and put back. We are not 0

getting put back and put back. We are not getting any 0

getting put back and put back. We are not getting any real answers

from anybody as to when the work will be done. The council says 600

private homes have applied. The first wave has been completed. Work

should speed up in the New Year. Work is 0 0

should speed up in the New Year. Work is beginning a new ?42 million

Centre for Medicine Addie University of Leicester. It will bring together

leading medical academics, numerical research and education under one

roof. Construction will begin later this year and will be completed in

2015. 0 this year and will be completed in

2015. A disease that devastates ash trees has been confirmed for the

first time in Establishment land in Derbyshire.

Ash Dieback, shown here, has been found on it lands. The Forestry

Commission says it is inevitable the disease will eventually reach the

Derbyshire Peak District, but attempts are being made to manage

the problem, including a ban on importing ash trees.

The Severn Trent water company says it is amazed at what people flushed

down toilets. Knives, forks and spoons were found in the sewers.

People complained about blockages. Officials say someone in the area

had managed to flash these down the toilet. They warn people to be more

responsible. Still to come: Some wild weather

expected this evening. A full forecast after the sports. That's

the choirboys hankering after a long forgotten Christmas delicacy.

Caring for a family member with special needs can be rewarding, but

at times it takes its toll. A scheme running in Nottinghamshire gives

carers a well earned break, and allows the person being cared for

the chance to live more independently. The two families it's

been proving a success. 18`year`old David is autistic. He is

also partially deaf and blind. Once a fortnight, he stays with this

family for the weekend. It's a chance for him to relax and catch up

with his best friend. I feel relieved. I get my piece. I also get

to play on an Xbox. His main character 's grandmother, who he

lives with most of the time. It can be tough. He's out of his bedroom

every hour. He has to do his thing is that he has to do ` his routines.

It can take on quite a few hours. It is hard. You take these jobs on and

you have to do the best. I'm happy that I can 0

you have to do the best. I'm happy that I can see someone's life

improves. I can give support and break for somebody's family. 31

households across Nottinghamshire have signed up to be Sheriff life

scheme, which provides foster care for vulnerable adults. In addition,

there are ten new recruits due to a campaign earlier this year. A

further 23 households have applied and are now being considered. I

think people come to this because they have a real 0

think people come to this because they have a real passion for

caring, and supporting other people. For David, staying with the family

gives him some independents and allows his grandmother time to rest

and recharge. So inspiring.

The sports news: Leicester City are out of the Capital One Cup, at their

time with Manchester City last night has left their fans wanting more.

Their challenge for promotion continues on Saturday against league

leaders Queens Park Rangers. Today, they were given the day off to

reflect 0 they were given the day off to

reflect on quite a nice. `` quite a nice.

There were so many top`class players, you didn't know where to

look. They knew it would be tough, but they didn't know how tough.

Manchester City have names a full strength team tonight. They are

taking no chances. It took no time to appreciate Manchester City's

quality. The task ahead of Leicester. The team would hugely

impressive and took the lead after eight minutes. `` were hugely

impressive. Powerfully bent into the top corner. Lester's keeper had to

be at his best to stop more going in. Just before half`time, he

conceded a second. The first of two on the night. It was strictly

Manchester City. Leicester needed the X Factor, and therefore the

night, was Sam Bailey. Sam is a season`ticket holder, who is for the

and produce a sensational performance. By fully, Manchester

City didn't in the second half. `` thankfully. Less than some steel,

and held their own. 31 was no disgrace at all. I think it was OK,

not a bad results. At least we didn't get trashed. You expect that

from man city, don't you. It's a good results. We were severely

punished for several mistakes. That's the biggest difference

between top and Premier league. It was a memorable night.

Leicester went the only ones playing in the cup last night. Mansfield

were in action in the FA Cup. They ploughed out `` played out a replay

with Oldham. They started well, with Ross Dyer giving a 12 minute lead.

They conceded four goals in the space of 24 second`half minutes.

They lost the Game 41. They miss out on a money spinning FA Cup third

round tie with Liverpool. In rugby: Matthew Tait could 0

round tie with Liverpool. In rugby: Matthew Tait could make his

long`awaited comeback from injury, in this weekend's premiership class

to top of the tables Saracens. Finally, boxing: Randall has gone up

awaits. The European Commonwealth champion is set to become a

bantamweight. Good luck to him. It's that time of year when we can

ask, have you ever wondered what our most popular carols mean?

# We wish you a Merry Christmas. # We wish you a Merry Christmas. # We

wish you a Merry Christmas. # And a Happy New

this carol originates from the 16th century when wealthy people would

give treats, M figgy 0 century when wealthy people would

give treats, M figgy pudding, to carol singers on Christmas Eve. ``

like it figgy pudding. Apart from the obvious, that's figgy pudding

has lots of figs, is a big difference between it and Christmas

pudding? No. Figgy pudding is paler, and it starts off as more of a

batter. You are starring in a particular direction? And starring

anticlockwise, which is to remind us of 0 0

anticlockwise, which is to remind us of the journey 0

anticlockwise, which is to remind us of the journey that the wise men

took towards the stable. And it's a special day for making your

Christmas pudding? It became known as Stir`up Sunday. They even had a

special church service to remind you to make it. Do we know why it is

that we eat Christmas pudding and not figgy pudding? I don't know. It

seems to have fallen out of favour. It's very difficult to find. There

are some recipes online. Perhaps we should all be 0

are some recipes online. Perhaps we should all be making figgy pudding

and trying it. I sung in a choir and we used to sing that song ` I had no

idea why we wanted figgy pudding. Staying with the Christmas theme `

if you are putting the finishing touches to your decorations, how

about this? A giant Santa made hay. This design was spotted on the

Leicestershire Nottinghamshire border. We like to see more of your

creative designs. Send them via Facebook or e`mail us. We already

have some exciting 0 Facebook or e`mail us. We already

have some exciting ones on there. And now for the weather.

We are expecting it to be stormy for the next two hours. The winds have

already started. That's between 40 and 50 mph. The rain will live in

shortly. There's a area of low pressure ` isobars squeezing in to

give us a strengthening southerly winds. It will be moving quickly,

however, but it stays and settled for the next few days because we

have another area of low pressure. This is the current position of that

heavy band of rain. Some patchy rain fall at the moment. But it will meet

again in the 0 fall at the moment. But it will meet

again in the next hour, giving us torrential downpour and gusty winds

for a time. It clears away quickly. A few showers around through the

night, but also a good deal of clear skies. The temperatures will drop

quite quickly. We are 0 skies. The temperatures will drop

quite quickly. We are expecting lows tonight 0

quite quickly. We are expecting lows tonight three degrees. Lower

integrals shelters will stop you might get a touch of frost. A very

cold starts to Thursday and a much colder day on the whole. A lot of

clear skies in the morning, some beautiful sunshine. 0

clear skies in the morning, some beautiful sunshine. One to showers,

it may feel a bit wintry across higher ground. Top temperatures

tomorrow of five degrees, so you will notice that feeling chilly. Not

a breezy day but the winds won't be as strong. `` 0

a breezy day but the winds won't be as strong. `` a breezy 0

a breezy day but the winds won't be as strong. `` a breezy day. It could

just cause a little bit of tricky conditions on the roads through

rush`hour, do a spell of snowfall at lower levels is possible. Into

Friday, we start the day promising ` dry and sunny, with a high of seven

degrees. But more wet and windy conditions to take us into the

weekend. A rather unsettled few days.