04/02/2014 East Midlands Today

into Friday morning and enhance the risk of flooding. That is all

Big This is East Midlands Today with Anne Davies and me, Dominic Heale.

Tonight ` tragic and saddening. The appalling injuries to a baby girl

that went unnoticed. They were inflicted by the child's

mother after a GP failed to raise the alarm.

Also tonight, public sector workers demand an extra pound an hour in

their pay. Because we are hard workers and we

keep the economy going so we should get something out of it.

An MP demands builders provide flood protection for all new homes. And

the rise and rise of the rat. A warning about super`sized rodents.

First tonight, the baby girl who suffered a catalogue of appalling

injuries and the serious case review which has found that mistakes were

made. Last year, Baby Z's mother was convicted and deported. This week,

the review said a GP, who saw marks on the baby when she was six months

old, should have referred her to social services.

The head of the review has described it as an extremely tragic case which

saddened them. Jo Healey has this report.

The baby was eight months old when she was taken to her local A in

Leicester by her parents. These are some of the injuries. 15 fractures

in all. This was in October 2012. In September last year, the baby's

mother, who was 31 and had admitted GBH, was given a two and a half year

jail sentence. A few weeks ago on Christmas Eve, she was deported back

to India. The child is still here in care. It will be her second birthday

on Thursday, but she won't know much about it. She's brain`damaged,

severely visually impaired, confined to a wheelchair and fed through a

tube. So why was she never referred to social services? When she was six

months old, a GP noted that 0 to social services? When she was six

months old, a GP noted that she had blue marks on her back. He did

consider it was non`accidental injury, but because the mother was

relaxed, smiling, well`dressed and nicely spoken, and the baby was

happy, he was reassured. 0 nicely spoken, and the baby was

happy, he was reassured. But he should have referred Baby Z to

children's social care. The GP accepted it was an error of

judgement, but said he found it difficult to believe that anyone

would harm a child. The Serious Case Review has recommended more training

for health workers in referring child cases to social services.

If you're concerned, please ring, do not keep it to yourself. Refer

quickly, do not delay because delay can lead to serious consequences. As

it did in this case. As, tragically, it did in this case.

The report said the case has had a huge impact on the health community,

but that is small consolation to baby Z, 0

but that is small consolation to baby Z, turning two on Thursday with

little to celebrate. Jo is with us now. Clearly, a tragic

case but what changes have been put in place because of it?

Since the high`profile cases in other parts, NHS England say they

have done a massive amount to safeguard 0

have done a massive amount to safeguard children. But this latest

Serious Case Review has told them that they should have done something

differently here. They are planning three changes. They want to

strengthen communication between health visitors and GPs with bees to

face meetings. `` with face to face meetings. They want to see if

training is fit for purpose. We want to see how GPs ask for help and

advice in difficult cases. Will this stop another case like

this? There are no guarantees we will not have another child in this

situation. But the things we are putting in place all strength in

what is already in place and support the professionals to do their job in

a more competent and safe way. It is her birthday on Thursday, what

more can you tell us of her condition?

She is brain damaged, she refuses all food and is fed into her

stomach. She is now being tested for epilepsy, she cannot walk or crawl.

She will need long`term support and care.

Thank you. Council workers have been protesting today, demanding an extra

pound`an`hour in their pay packets. Demonstrations have taken place in

the centres of Derby, Leicester and Nottingham.

Trade unions say some of their members are being forced to rely on

food banks. Yet official figures show that average public service

salaries are actually higher than in the private sector. Our Social

Affairs Correspondent, Jeremy Ball, reports.

Care workers, housing staff and council cleaners joined this

lunchtime protest investor. They took to the streets to demand more

money of at least ?1 an hour. Their message here is loud and clear. At a

time when we are told the economy is improving, they want to see some of

that improvement reflected in their pay packets. We have been losing the

value of what we get paid and everybody needs to live, basically

and we are struggling to do that. We take you on a lot of distressed

families in difficulty and our pay does not reflect that. MPs are

getting way in excess of an inflationary increase, and the Royal

family as well. Social workers have not had a big increase last five

years. We are hard`working and we keep the economy going so we should

get something from it. This afternoon, more wage

demonstrations in Nottingham and Derby. But the government has

already announced a rise in the minimum wage and several of our

councils are paying the living wage. In the East Midlands, the average

public sector worker earns ?22,500, higher than workers in private

companies. Most public sector workers are low paid, part`time

women who fall behind every year in pay. People are struggling and using

food banks. Today's demonstrations were not just about pay rises. They

were also protesting about council cuts. But council leaders are likely

to see it as a choice between those demands.

Governors at a school in 0 demands.

Governors at a school in Leicester will decide tonight whether it will

be the first non faith`school in the city to become an academy. Only six

parents took part in a consultation over the plans to change Rushey Mead

School. Their responses will be considered by the Governors.

Academies are state`funded schools which 0

Academies are state`funded schools which aren't controlled by the local

authority. They have more freedom than other state schools over their

finances and don't have to follow the national curriculum. The city

council and the National Union of Teachers are against the plans.

Joining me now from outside Rushey Mead School is Ian Leaver from the

NUT. Only six parents offered a view on

this. That suggests that there isn't a huge groundswell of opinion either

way. I think it probably suggests that

there is a flaw in the consultation process. Parents have a 0

there is a flaw in the consultation process. Parents have a view on

these things if they understand what the arguments are. The National

Union of Teachers and the city council continually asked for the

opportunity to have a public debate on this where we can put our point

of view and explained why we are opposed to the idea. That would give

parents a proper opportunity to make a considered decision.

If Rushey Meade does convert, it'll get more money, it'll be able to

innovate, raise standards even further and attract the best

teachers. What is the NUT afraid of? There is no more money available for

academies. That wasn't the Academy programme first started. There a

sweeteners for schools. But there is no more available money. One 0

no more available money. One argument is that academies have more

freedom, but that is... They have very few freedoms that maintained

schools do not have all stop there is very little freedom that an

Academy games. If Rushey Meade does convert what can you do about it? We

will meet with our members and governors. I am hoping that they

will see sense. They have taken a long time to consider this.

Thank you. A man has been airlifted to hospital

following reports of an assault at a block of flats in Oakham. The

47`year old has been flown from Rutland to the Queen's Medical

Centre in Nottingham after police were called to Derwent Drive this

lunchtime. A 40`year old woman has been arrested and an investigation

has started. Police are appealing for witnesses to contact them.

A planning application to knock down the Regent Cinema in Hinckley,

leaving just the facade, is being considered by councillors this

evening. The former cinema stopped operating as Flutters bingo hall

last year. Developers already have permission to demolish it, but have

now applied to keep the front area. Local campaigners are trying to

raise ?100,000 to buy the site and transform it into a community

centre. The woman who researched and helped

discover the remains of King Richard III says his bones should not be

stored at the University of Leicester, but taken to a more

appropriate place. Philippa Langley made the comments

one year on from the official confirmation of the discovery. Simon

Ward reports. When King Richard III's remains were

discovered under a Leicester Council car park, it caused a worldwide

sensation. But a year on, the woman who researched his burial place is

unhappy the bones have been kept at the University of Leicester while a

final decision is made. My agreement, in place locally, says

that following identification, as the named custodian of the remains I

would be able to take Richard to a place of sanctity and rest to await

reburial. That's what it says. It's pretty simple. And it won't affect

anything, it won't affect any of the outcome, and yet it will honour this

man who fell in battle. No one really knows this is where he

is. Only two of us have access. Last night on Inside Out East

Midlands, the BBC was given access to a secret location at the

University of Leicester where the bones are kept secure. I do feel

quite unhappy that people think the university did something incorrectly

because we followed normal practice on the exhumation of many, many

burials over the years. Everything was agreed before the dig got under

way, before the tarmac was cut and everybody was happy with the plans

that were in place. So I think all we're saying is can we honour the

agreement? Work is well under way to build a

new King Richard III visitor centre at Leicester Cathedral. The judicial

review about the excavation and plans to place the bones at the

Cathedral will take place at the High Court in London on March 13th.

The former Gedling Colliery in Nottinghamshire is to be transformed

into a 300 acre country park. The first phase of work will include

making the area safe for the public. The ?1 million project will see a

car park and road added, along with a children's play area. It's due to

open to the public this autumn. Nearly ?600,000 is being invested in

road repairs and other improvements across Derbyshire this month. The

money is part of a ?35 million package the county council is

spending on improving its roads in one year. Resurfacing and patching

roads are the main tasks during February.

Next, developers could be forced by law to include flood protection

measures in their future plans. It's the idea of Mark Spencer, the MP for

Sherwood, and follows severe flooding in many parts of

Nottinghamshire in recent years. Today, he introduced his own

Parliamentary Bill to ensure that adequate drainage forms part of any

new plans. Let's find out more from Westminster and our Political Editor

John Hess. John, surely planners already have such powers.

You would have thought so. But it is not nearly as clear as you might

think. Like so much flood water, this issue and who should pay for

flood prevention measures is rather muddy. I'll be speaking to the MP

shortly, but first this report from Simon Hare.

It's hard to believe that this is rainwater run`off, not flooding from

a river or stream. The water came down, and along the road here, and

over the edge and it filled the garden and the house. We made futile

attempts to stop it, but you can't stop water. It continued coming in.

It deluged the Bunting's family home last July. Six months on and they've

only just moved back in. We had good temporary accommodation, but to be

back home is very good. The drains couldn't cope with three inches of

rain in a couple of hours. That's why today Mark Spencer introduced

his own parliamentary He wants developers to pay for flood

prevention. `` parliamentary bill. Especially in villages.

Sadly, the drainage systems of those villages have not grown at the same

rate and further developments upstream have added to the problem

of drainage. These villages today are faced with sewage systems that

are already under enormous pressure and have a high risk of flooding

during periods of prolonged or heavy rainfall. It's a question not simply

of defence, but drainage and coping with excess water.

Last year's events here have left many feeling wary about what the

weather is going to bring in the future.

Mark Spencer is with me here at Westminster. Mark Spencer, I think

many people will be surprised that a developer doesn't have to take into

account the knock`on effects of flooding caused by new housing. It

is the knock`on effect that I am worried about. This sewer in an old

village but 0 worried about. This sewer in an old

village but does not have the capacity. So who should take a grip

of this to ensure that adequate drains are built? It has to be the

local authority. The highways authority. They have to make sure

that during the planning process, the developers are held to account

and the knock`on effects of this problem are sorted out. The cost of

flood prevention is paid for people who pay water bills? Absolutely.

When you are building a new property, it does not cost that much

more to build in mitigation schemes. But if you are living at the bottom

of the village, you are getting all of the flooding. Because it's not

just in rural areas that this is an issue. Absolutely not. There are

enormous problems in towns. Downing Street is anxious to be seen on top

of the current flooding crisis. Your Bill is very timely. Should the

government back it? Let's hope so. It is going through the House of

Lords at the moment. Mark Spencer's Parliamentary Bill today coincided

with the government announcing that ?7 million in emergency funding is

now available for local councils to repair damage caused by the floods.

So far, 53 local councils, including some in the East Midlands, intend to

claim some of that cash. Still to come. Rats as big as cats?

No, they'll be bigger. One academic says we should prepare

for a new generation 0 One academic says we should prepare

for a new generation of super sized rodents. The details later.

Obviously, that was before picture. Time for sport.

For anybody bothered about that, you can watch the sport. A major blow

for Nottingham Forest promotion push.

David Vaughan has a knee injury. It will keep them out for several

months. The club have revealed he has fractured his kneecap.

Basketball and an attack from the Great Britain captain and Leicester

Riders player Drew Sullivan on today's decision to cut the national

side's funding. UK sport has withdrawn their financial support

because they say Great Britain aren't realistic medal contenders

for the 2016 Olympics. Sullivan says cutting the funding means the work

the sport has done in the last eight years has counted for nothing. But

those behind today's decision say basketball isn't yet fulfilling its

potential despite plenty of opportunities.

We've been funding them since 2006. They've had a lot of opportunity to

showcase their sport here in the UK and raise their profiles to generate

greater interest 0 and raise their profiles to generate

greater interest and increase participation. So I would say to the

governing body of Ascott bowl, concentrate on that over the next

few years and then we can say what it looks like. `` of basketball.

Leicester Tigers have confirmed they've tied four key players to new

or extended contracts. French scrum half David Mele has made a longer

commitment to the club, while Jordan Crane and Adam Thompstone have

signed new deals. Only details remain on winger Miles Benjamin's

extension. Tigers Director of Rugby Richard Cockerill says he is heavily

involved in negotiations. I think that's important. I want to retain

and sign the players that I want, so when they're good, it's my

responsibility and when it's bad, it's my responsibility. So I choose

who comes and I choose who goes. If we're poor, or we lose, I get the

blame, and it's my fault and rightly so.

The East Midlands is on track to produce footballers ready for

Brazil. We're not talking about this year's World Cup. But the Rio

Paralympics in two years' time. Cerebral Palsy Football is part of

the Paralympic programme. And a Centre 0

the Paralympic programme. And a Centre of Excellence in this region

is looking to bring on the players of the future. As Mark Shardlow

reports. These are the teenagers from the

East Midlands chasing the dream to play for England at 0

East Midlands chasing the dream to play for England at the World Cup

and Britain at the Paralympics. We try and make it as mainstream as

possible for them. Today, just normal seven v seven. You notice, on

one side, some of them struggle with their movement so it's all about

trying to make the game accessible to them. Yes, 0

trying to make the game accessible to them. Yes, they have got a

disability, but we try to give them that opportunity to play as much as

possible. Easy!

Cerebral palsy affects movement and coordination, but to these boys,

it's now opening up a whole new world. I 0

it's now opening up a whole new world. I just love playing football

and it's very inspirational for me to come and work with these

fantastic players. I hope to progress, maybe, to national level

and represent the country, that would be really 0

and represent the country, that would be really good.

Darby's Leon Taylor has played all over the globe, including for

Paralympics GB at London 2012. It's certainly been fantastic for my

confidence and self`esteem. I was always one of those 0

confidence and self`esteem. I was always one of those who, as a child,

had a love of football, a lot of all sports but was never quite good

enough to make it into the school team. But I kept chipping away at it

and then having this opportunity, being involved in disability

football, has been absolutely fantastic. The Football Association

set up regional teams and an elite league. Once a month, players come

from all over the country to play matches.

When we play our tournaments, we have scouts there, we have England

staff come along to tournaments to see if these 0

staff come along to tournaments to see if these players could actually

make it onto that world stage. And the opportunities are endless then.

Two East Midlands players are this week at England's training camp in

California, incentive enough for anyone with CP to dig out their

boots and join in. If you don't like rats, you might

not like this next bit. You have had enough warning.

Oh, there are some. Lovely. Well now, a scientist from Leicester

University is predicting they could become a sizeable problem in the

future. That's because, in the future, rats

could grow to the size of sheep or even bigger, as they take the place

of extinct larger mammals. Victoria Hicks has more.

Love them or loathe them, there are millions of rats the world over.

Why? Because they are born survivors and easily adapt to their

surroundings. I've had reports down south that

they are becoming super`sized and starting to become more resistant to

rat poison. Peter Andrews knows a thing or two

about rats. He's spent 15 years trying to control them.

They can get into any situation, out of any situation. They're just a

good all`round survivor. And that's a view shared by this

geologist from the University of Leicester. He says as bigger animals

become extinct, smaller animals evolve to replace them.

Dinosaurs are the classic example. When they lived, they occupied the

top part of the food chain. The mammals were very small and were

kept down by the dinosaurs. When the dinosaurs died out, it was the turn

of the mammals and they could evolve to take over the roles of the big

and fierce animals on earth. Could that become as big as sheep or even

larger? The answer is yes. We know that goldens can become the size of

a bull, wheeling over a tonne. They might become even bigger. If they

take to the sea, 0 might become even bigger. If they

take to the sea, as the ancestors of wheels and dolphins did, they could

weigh ten of times. It has happened in the past and it could happen in

the future. But don't worry about that 0 0

the future. But don't worry about that happening any time soon. It

would take millions of years. Giant swimming rats.

Very 0 Giant swimming rats.

Very assured it will be millions of miles away.

Time for the weather. Brace yourselves, a pest from the

West once again. I'd eat area of low pressure winding itself in ``

winding itself up in the Atlantic. We are back to square one,

unfortunately. A wet and windy day. We could have another inch of rain

by the end of the day, very unwelcome. We had a decent afternoon

today, lots of lovely sunshine. But a wall of water is pushing its way

in from the west. It is clouding over this evening. The wind will put

car and the rainbow operation `` and the rain will push in. It should

ease off towards the end of the night. Staying frost free with

temperatures of five or six Celsius. Some of us might start of dry

tomorrow morning, but we will soon have more been pushing its way

across. This rain will be heavy. A wet and windy afternoon. Another

inch of rain by the end of the day tomorrow. And the wind will be

gusting around 40 or 50 miles an hour. Temperatures of seven or eight

Celsius. That area of low pressure pushes northwards tomorrow night.

Some dry and bright weather on Thursday. The wind will ease down,

but the rain is never far away. More wet weather heading in on Thursday

and more for the weekend. Those storms keep coming.

Just time to show you this ` an ingenious place 0

Just time to show you this ` an ingenious place to set up home in

winter. This family of mistle`thrush, we

believe, have nested on these traffic lights at a busy junction in

the middle of Leicester. All mod`cons, central heating from above

and below. The lights go on and off all night but they 0

and below. The lights go on and off all night but they have a nice cosy

warm colour scheme. They were spotted by Sergei Grishanov.

I had not been expecting, you know, to see a bird on a traffic light! I

think this is because the traffic lights warm up the chicks, it is a

very warm spot. Fantastic Lovely, and you can see

more of those birds on our Facebook page. 0

more of those birds on our Facebook page. .

Do have a look at the Facebook page. Seeing tomorrow. Goodbye.