05/02/2014 East Midlands Today

rise. That is all

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

Tonight ` age discrimination. Nottinghamshire police face a

multi`million 0 Nottinghamshire police face a

multi`million pound compensation bill. In a landmark case, a tribunal

rules that around 100 Elisa officers who were forced to retire were

unfairly dismissed. Also tonight, shock news figures

reveal the scale of our region's obesity epidemic. And after 16

months in hospital, premature baby Taran goes home.

It will be really nice. As a family, we needed this, because we missed

out on so much time together. And is this a dying art?

Sheila certainly knows how to do it, but it seems fewer of us are

whistling in public. Find out why later.

Good evening. A hundred former police officers have won a landmark

age discrimination case. They were all forced to retire from the

Nottinghamshire force because they'd served more than 30 years. But today

an employment tribunal found that they were unfairly dismissed. And

now the force is expecting compensation claims worth millions

of pounds. Our Social Affairs Correspondent, Jeremy Ball, is at

Nottinghamshire's Police Headquarters. Jeremy, why did these

officers lose their jobs? It was all about cutting the salary bill.

Nottinghamshire police had to make substantial savings, but police

officers cannot be made redundant under the law. So instead, this was

one of five forces using a power known as Regulation A19. That power

allows the police to make officers retire after 30 years 0

allows the police to make officers retire after 30 years of service,

but only if it is in the interests of effect this and efficiency. But

the officers argued that it was never intended for large`scale job

cuts and that it was Age Discrimination Act. This is a huge

blow for a force that is already struggling to balance its 0

blow for a force that is already struggling to balance its budget,

because it is expecting compensation claims of up to ?3.5 million. I got

the chief constable's reaction a short time ago. At the time, I said

we regretted the fact that we were losing officers who had given good

service. But at 0 losing officers who had given good

service. But at the time the decision was made, it was based on

making decisions to balance the books and allow the force to reshape

to deliver a better service. It was a huge mistake, wasn't it? It was a

decision based on good legal advice which was taken in order to deal

with problems facing not just this force, but a number of others. So,

what does today's decision mean for those officers who were forced to

retire? Dave Wakelin used to be a chief superintendent Heyer at

Sherwood Lodge. How significant do you think this judgement is? Very

significant. Not only does it affect 100 offices in Nottinghamshire, it

is many other officers across the country 0

is many other officers across the country whose forces chose to use

this regulation. So in terms of impact across the UK, it is

significant. It will will say as a chief superintendent, you will have

been given a big payoff and a big pension. Why should you get

compensation from forces struggling to make ends meet? That was much

discussed at the time. When we started the litigation, it was never

about the money or compensation. It was about 0

about the money or compensation. It was about the injustice that we all

felt through being forcibly ejected from Nottinghamshire police.

Everybody is different. Some of those officers I know left struggled

to find work and may not have work now. The police pension is a good

pension, but we paid into it for years. We take what we are entitled

to. But for many of us, it was not about the money, but the injustice.

Do you want your job back now? I would have to give that some serious

thought. This would put me in a difficult position with

Nottinghamshire police, this challenge the chief constable.

Others may take a different view. Nottinghamshire police say they are

now considering whether to appeal against today's decision, so it is

not over yet. Further education colleges across

the East Midlands are facing deep spending cuts ` the worst outside

London. That's according to new figures released by the Association

of Colleges. It 0 figures released by the Association

of Colleges. It warns that thousands of students at this region's 22

colleges will be affected. One of our MPs has now written to the

Education Secretary Michael Gove to demand an explanation. This report

from our Political Editor John Hess. Many of our colleges provide the

building blocks to a career or trade for thousands of school leavers . In

the East Midlands, the number of 18`year`olds attending Effie

colleges is higher than the national average. But over the next month,

the colleges will find out their funding for the next academic year,

and it will be substantially lower. This is a targeted cut. Many of the

most vulnerable of our student population and need the support we

are currently giving them. The Department for Education proposes a

17.5% spending cut from this September. In the East Midlands,

colleges will lose ?7.2 million in funding. That will directly affect

the courses of just over 9500 students, according to the

Association 0 students, according to the

Association of 0 students, according to the

Association of Colleges. At Westminster, the scale of the budget

cuts has outraged many MPs. Further education colleges give young people

the skills they need for the future. We need a better skilled

workforce, so I hope the government will think up again about the cuts.

These colleges also voiced anger over a lack of consultation. Even

the further Education Minister has described the budget cuts as

regrettable. I appreciate the pressure 0

regrettable. I appreciate the pressure is on the budget of FE

colleges. But in 2012`13, pupils were funded for 450 hours and we

raised that to 540 hours, a rise of 16%. And this is a cut of almost the

same magnitude. The government says funding for immediate school leavers

remains its priority, but for older students, this has become a lesson

in deficit reduction. Staying with education, leaders of a

Leicester secondary school have been accused of an appalling betrayal

after choosing to convert to an academy. Governors at Rushey Mead

voted by 11 to three to take the school out of council control. It

will remain state`funded, but will have more freedom over its finances,

curriculum, length of terms and staff pay and conditions. The

National Union of Teachers is criticising the decision, saying it

won't benefit pupils, and is predicting that staff will now

leave. I don't think there will be any significant changes by Rushey

Mead becoming an academy, but we think it is in the best interests of

our young people, will enable us to have the financial sustainability

and will help us support local schools through sponsorship. You are

watching East Midlands Today. Still to come this evening, it's

curtains for a former art deco cinema. Plans to knock down part of

the former Regent Theatre in Hinckley are approved, but

campaigners tell us they fight on. Three East Midlands counties have

some of the highest levels of obesity in England, according to new

figures published today. In those counties, an average of two thirds

of the population have piled on the pounds and are officially classed as

overweight or obese. All of which raises big questions about how to

tackle the obesity epidemic. Our Health Correspondent Rob Sissons

reports. Here is how the land lies. 68% of

the bill in Lincolnshire are reckoned to be either overweight or

obese, according to public health England. In Derbyshire, it is 67%,

and in Nottinghamshire, 66%. The England average is nearly 64. Kind

the figures are the real lives. I have come to meet in Berlin

Nottinghamshire to meet one woman who battled with weight for years.

She ended up 21 0 who battled with weight for years.

She ended up 21 stone, 0 who battled with weight for years.

She ended up 21 stone, and going abroad to pay for a gastric band. I

felt unhappy. I shied away from social gatherings. It is your life,

your body. Reflecting on forking out 3400 pounds for a gastric band three

years ago, Lynn says it has been worth it. She is down seven stone to

14. She was refused NHS funding for the operation and thinks that is

wrong. They could do more about it with regards to the price of the

operation if you stay in this country. My operation was half what

it was in this country. Why? How much the NHS should provide is

controversial. Many councils with responsibility for public health are

reviewing support services. Operations for obesity are not good

news. That is the fact of the matter. You want to avoid them if

possible, so we want services in place that will avoid people having

to go into surgery. I wish people could have spent the day in my old

body, for people who are thin to take a step back and think about

that, more than just making fun of people.

The Derby train maker Bombardier could find out tomorrow if it's won

a new one billion pound contract. The deal would see hundreds of

carriages built for London's new Crossrail line. Bombardier's up

against Spanish firm CAF and Japan`based 0 0

against Spanish firm CAF and Japan`based Hitachi. Unions say it's

vital it doesn't miss out this time after failing to win the Thameslink

contract in 2011. Hackney cab drivers near Nottingham

Station claim they're being unfairly targeted by the city council. It's

planning to use CCTV to enforce parking rules on Station Street. The

local authority says it's responding to complaints about some cab drivers

not staying in the designated rank and parking on double yellow lines.

Drivers say their parking area isn't sufficient, but the council has said

it's recently extended the taxi rank on the street.

Next tonight, the premature baby who's been described as a little

miracle. His fight for survival has staggered doctors and now, after

spending his first 16 months in hospital, baby Taran is finally

going home. After all this time, his parents are thrilled that he can now

be 0 parents are thrilled that he can now

be reunited with his twin brother. Jo Healey's been to the Leicester

Royal Infirmary. I'm on the children's ward, and this

is the only 0 0 I'm on the children's ward, and this

is the only home 0 I'm on the children's ward, and this

is the only home so far that baby Taran has known since he was worn 16

months ago, 23 weeks early. He is now able to go home. Look at the

size of him! How do you feel now that he is going home? I can't

explain it. Very emotional. Nervous, because I know he has got a long

journey to go, but so happy. Sorry! It must be wonderful. It is amazing

to get this far. It has been a struggle. When you look at him now,

people would not believe how poorly he was. Now he can join his twin

brother, who is having a snooze. And his 0 0

brother, who is having a snooze. And his big brother. Yeah, it is going

to be interesting, because all three have different personalities. As a

family, we needed this, because we have missed out on so much time

together. Incredibly, when he was born, Taran Wade just ?1 back row 12

ounces. It has been something of a miracle to have saved him, hasn't

it? I can't believe how well he has done. I heard that you threw

everything at him. Literally everything we could think of. We

just were trying to keep him alive and help him get better. To see the

two of them together with all the family there, him and his twin

brother, and to see him going home will be fantastic. I know the family

are grateful for everything the hospital has done. That is it from

the children's ward, where we have one very happy family.

There are more signs of optimism in the East Midlands economy. The

region's seen one of the biggest increases in apprenticeship

vacancies. The National Apprenticeship Service's latest

figures show there was a 37% increase in vacancies here, the

second highest in the country. And the service says the traditional

male domination of apprenticeships is rapidly diminishing, with a huge

rise in applications from women. James Roberson reports.

At one of Network Rail's depots in Derby, 24`year`old Katie is checking

ear. Katie from a Ilkeston in Derby started as an apprentice with

Network Rail five years ago, when she was 19. She won apprentice of

the year in 2012 and has fitted in well as an engineer in a

traditionally male oriented industry. There is a very small

number of females out on the track, but it is increasing. I see more

ladies out there when I am on track. It has always been seen as a male

environment, but we are breaking the mould. To have females joining the

organisation is superb. Katie has done well on the scheme. She has now

found herself a permanent position in the organisation. Increasingly,

East Midlands firms want apprentice is. They have realised that taking

on an apprentice provides a struck should, safe and supportive way of

growing a business. And that has been matched by demand from young

people for getting into work through apprenticeship. That is true for

these 220`year`olds, 0 apprenticeship. That is true for

these 220`year`olds, apprentices within Nottinghamshire engineering

firm that has worked on projects including the roof at Wimbledon's

Centre Court. Emma and Matthew have gained vital experience and

qualifications. I have come out of this with my degree and five years

of work experience in a good company. I definitely feel I made

the right choice. I have got friends who went to uni who are now coming

towards the end of it and regretting that they have got a desk at the

end. They have should have gone for an apprenticeship. Their boss also

values apprentices. Oliver started as one and now partly owns the

company. I would recommend it to anyone. It is the best way to get

into work and train. I have gone from apprentice to director in nine

years. With a ?1 billion government in the rail industry coming up,

Network Rail once apprentices like Katie to 0

Network Rail once apprentices like Katie to start in their grandson

depots. Coming up, a whistle`stop tour ` of

whistling. There was a time when a lot of us did this in the street.

So, why not now? Campaigners have vowed to fight on

to save a 1920s Leicestershire theatre which is set for demolition.

Plans to knock down the rear of the former Regent Theatre and cinema in

Hinckley were approved by councillors last night. Thousands of

people have now joined a campaign and donated cash to preserve the

building for community use. It was Hinckley's gateway to

Hollywood. The Regent was headline news when it opened back in 1929.

Today, nearly 90 years on, it is the talk of the town again as a battle

rages over its survival. This building has been keeping people

entertained in the town for decades as a venue for theatre, films and

most recently a bingo hall. At for the last six months, it has remained

empty and soon, most of it could be gone altogether. Last night,

councillors approved a planning application to keep the frontage,

but demolish the rear of the art deco building, replacing this with a

supermarket car park. We have got a major regeneration plan going

ahead. There will be difficulty with people parking in the town. To

support the rest of the town, we need as much car parking space as we

can. But campaigners who want the building preserved for community use

have vowed to fight on, and thousands of people have backed

them. They have raised over ?3000 in public donations to entice an

investor to buy the building. It is not just us. They are fighting the

community. We are coming up with our own reasons for it to stay, and it

is not just to keep a building, it is to utilise it. But without a huge

cash injection, there is only so match they can do. While there was

no indication yet of when the bulldozers will move in, the

campaigners know that time is running out to rescue 0

campaigners know that time is running out to rescue the Regent.

Now the sport. First, Nottingham Forest are our

only side left in the FA Cup. Tonight, they look to book a place

in the fifth round for the first time in nine years. They play

Preston North End and ahead of the tie, club captain Chris Cohen has

given an exclusive interview to Kirsty Edwards.

Standing strong without the help of crutches, just a box to help me. The

tall, talismanic captain has had a difficult couple of months. In

2011, he suffered a bad knee injury. Last November, 0

2011, he suffered a bad knee injury. Last November, he suffered the same

fate with his other knee. It is one of those things, part and parcel of

playing football. It is hard to take when it is something you love doing

everyday and it is taken away. It is not a big thing compared to what is

going on in the world, but Elizabeth thing in my life. It is difficult to

watch the lads train every day. You want to be part of it. He has always

been a great ambassador for the club, both on and off the pitch. His

absence was a big loss to his team`mates and the fans. The amount

of support and letters I have had off fans and 0

of support and letters I have had off fans and friends and text phone

calls have been overwhelming. That gives you the motivation to come

back better than you were before. And hopefully, I will be stronger

and a bit 0 And hopefully, I will be stronger

and a bit unbreakable after this. Like a robot! Yeah, Robocop! Before

the injury setbacks, he tasted a promotion from league one. He is

hoping by the time he returns, they will be in the Premier League. Not

sure if I will get a game or not. I will have to worry about that later.

For the club to be in the Premier League is where it belongs. We have

got a long way to go. We have to stay focused. We have got an amazing

squad and a great manager. So Chris is disappointed to be missing out on

tonight's big cup tie, but at least today, I made him feel ten feet

tall. And if they win tonight, they will

meet Sheffield United in the next round. There'll be full match

commentary on Preston against Forest in Matchnight on BBC Radio

Nottingham from seven o'clock. Boxing, and George Groves has called

for his world title defeat by Nottingham Carl Froch to be deemed

"no contest", claiming the referee was wrong to end the fight when he

did. WBA and IBF super middleweight champion Froch beat Groves when

Howard Foster stepped in during round nine in their last fight. The

International Boxing Federation has since ordered a rematch, citing

"inappropriate conduct" by Foster. The 25`year`old Londoner, writing on

Twitter, added that the result should be changed because of what he

calls Foster's "incorrect" decision. Rugby, and a player forced to retire

from the game after a head injury is aiming to raise thousands of pounds

for the charity which helped him. Nottingham's David Jackson is hoping

to cycle from Leeds to Meadow Lane for the final game of the season.

The ride is in support of the Headway charity. I have set myself

the challenge to do it. I have been working with the guys from Headway

to make sure it happens. If I don't turn up for kick`off, I don't, but I

am sure I will get there at some point. Winter Olympics and Derby and

Leicester 0 point. Winter Olympics and Derby and

Leicester City tomorrow on the sport.

Now, whatever happened to whistling? In the old days, a tuneless trill

from the milkman helped usher in the new day. Not always so welcome was a

well`aimed whistle from a builder. I quite liked it, actually! But now,

according to a new book on the subject, far fewer of us are doing

it in public. Geeta Pendse has been finding out why and has met a

pensioner who's determined to maintain the 0

pensioner who's determined to maintain the art of whistling.

SHE WHISTLES. Meet Sheila Howard from Sutton

Bonington. She is a former world whistling champion who has

entertained audiences for five decades. I like the music. I quite

like doing something a little bit different, and it gets me around the

world! While Sheila loves to whistle, a new book by a Nottingham

academic suggests that few of us whistle in public Tom compared to

previous generations. There aren't so many messenger boys and errand

boys as they used to be, so that kind of whistling has gone.

Secondly, the whole thing became discouraged in the 1980s so that

builders or construction workers would not do it. Back in 1977 on a

TV programme that's life, Sheila tried to get the public to have a

go. We thought we would do the same today. That's it. Can't do it! Just

like that! Give it a go! I can't whistle. Well, seeing as I have

asked everyone to give it a go, I thought it is only fair that I show

off my whistling skills as well. Here we go.

I almost believed it! The only thing whistling today was the wind.

Certainly was. Yes, we have seen gusts of wind today pushing up

towards 50 miles an hour. But we have got away with it when you have

seen how southern parts of the country have had it. This is what

the jet stream looks like, six miles up in the air. It is a 0

the jet stream looks like, six miles up in the air. It is a fast moving

ribbon of air that is driving all the bad weather away. It is stuck

and does not look like it is moving any time soon, so bad news. Looks

like we will see more wet and windy weather before we come to the end of

the month. More lost ducks and geese wandering around as well. We have

still got all of this low`pressure spilling around us for the next few

hours. While it will not be quite as windy, we are still in for a breezy

night Dom and all of the showers will gradually fizzle out. Tomorrow,

it will be another breezy day. My tie has been knocked out of kilter

by all that wind! The rain will move in in the afternoon. Make the most

of it being dry in the morning, because the rain will come in in the

late part of the afternoon, heavy enough to provide us with a bit of

standing water and maybe some localised flooding. For the next few

days, they are just queueing up to get in. That is because of the jet

stream. It is stuck to the south of us. That leads to unsettled weather.

That nasty weather front will be making its way towards us by the

weekend. For the next few days, we have got a very unsettled outlook.

It has been so windy that it has not my tie sideways and blown the gadget

out of my hands as well! A wonky tie and a dropped click! At least you

did not have anything else to click. We will blame the bad weather. He

might drop it again on the late news, so don't miss it. That is it

from us. Bye`bye. NICK CLEGG: Are you in,

or are you out?