31/01/2014 Look East - East

That's all from the BBC News at Six, so it's goodbye from me, and on

Hello and welcome. The headlines: More evidence that house`building in

our region is on the up. But who can afford to buy? Affordability before

2000 was four times average salary but now it is 228 times salary.

Police question Essex commuters a week after a city trader was shot

and injured on his way to work. Norwich Castle lowers the ramparts

for an exhibition of Roman treasures.

And after some wet weather tonight, an improvement into the weekend.

Join me at the end of the programme. Hello. There's more evidence tonight

that the region's housing market is back on the move. We're building

more new houses. But experts say there are still not enough. And they

are too expensive. Today the national house building council

revealed that more than 14 thousand new homes were registered in the

east during 2013. An increase of 28% on the previous year. But that is

still 8,000 fewer homes a year than were being built before the

financial crash. There are also concerns that the shortage of

housing is making property more unaffordable. The average home now

costs eight times a worker's salary. The Government has been desperate to

see more homes being built ` so today's news is politically

important. This morning the local government secretary was in Caister

near Great Yarmouth where the council has started building council

houses again. Mr Pickles was pleased but keen to stress there's still a

lot to do. There is a chronic housing shortage

in parts of the UK. We have not built the number of houses that

would meet need since the middle of the 1970s.

But you have taken your time to do it.

Well, we inherited an appalling situation on housing, record lows.

It takes time to get confidence back.

Today's figures show that council house building is up by a third,

private building up by a quarter. Help to buy is making it easier for

people to get mortgages, changes to the law are making it easier for

builders to build but the industry is still cautious. We are still not

building enough homes and that means those that are being built are

unaffordable ` particularly to first time buyer.

Affordability in the East before 2000 was four times average salary

but now it is eight times national salary so there is an issue. We need

to ensure we continue to build more homes so affordability isn't such a

critical issue for people. Labour has also pledged to do more to

encourage house building but it says one of the problems at the moment is

that developers are often escaping their responsibilities. If you can

increase supply, it will bring it down but it's important to make the

developers fulfil commitments to produce 30% of affordable houses for

rent in any development. The bottom line is that it will still be some

time before we have enough houses which people can afford to buy.

There are very definite signs that things are getting better but as Mr

Pickles conceded today there's still a long way to go. Andrew's here now.

Of course Mr Pickles visiting during a very important time for our local

authorities? This is the time of year when

councils fix their budgets and for a fifth year running their planning

notable savings and it will not end there. Research has found councils

across the region are planning a total of ?8 billion worth of extra

savings over four years. Let me show you the figures. This is what they

will have to save or cut by 2018. That is in addition to other

savings. Budgets have been cut by 40% since the coalition came to

power. Councils say it is getting harder every year. Mr pickles is

bullish, councils have been squealing and all with find a way to

cope. He says they need to look at ways of sharing services and

generating income. Some councils are thinking of increasing council tax,

Essex are thinking about it. Eric Pickles said that is fine but

justify yourself to the voters. Well that takes us on to the cost of our

police service. Council tax payers in Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex now

know how much extra they are being asked to pay. The amount that goes

to the police in the council tax bill is called the precept. How much

you pay, depends on where you live. The money for police forces comes

from two places. Usually most is from central government the rest

from council tax. In Norfolk today. PCC Stephen Bett set out his stall.

Along with Chief Constable Simon Bailey. He wants the part of council

tax for the police to go up by nearly 2% and predicts big cuts if

it doesn't. We will be close to being a blue light service only. If

that scaremongering? 82% of the budget is people, if we don't have

the money for the budget people will have to go.

Councillors actually vetoed the plan by five votes to four but the vote

didn't count. Because there weren't enough councillors present. Eight

votes are needed for a veto. So Stephen Bett will get his 2%

increase after all. The Suffolk PCC in contrast isn't asking for any

more money from council tax payers. For the second year in a row. We

have to get off this idea that the only way you improve things is by

throwing more money at it. I think there is a contribution in Suffolk

and I hope the public sector will join us. In Essex the PCC Nick

Alston wants the biggest rise in the precept. 3.5%. But for all our

forces the actual figures are fairly small. The 2% rise in Norfolk would

amount to 8p a week for a band D house. That's an extra ?3.96 a year

for the police. But with cuts to local services across the board

councillors will have to decide if even this. Is too much. Earlier I

spoke to the Police and Crime Commissioner for Essex. Nick Alston.

I asked him why people should be asked to pay more for their police

service in Essex. When other counties were freezing their

contributions? Every county is in a different position and in Essex from

council tax we have paid less for policing recently than any other

county. The responsible thing is to put it up. It is 10p a week. You are

saying you are not getting enough money from the government, isn't

that something you should take up with them? I make my views known to

government and let ministers know how tight it is. All government

departments are making savings. It is about balancing what we pay from

central government and what we pay locally. In Essex people want to

support the Super League `` support the police. We have to be prepared

to pay for it. The reduction in the government grant is the equivalent

to 165 officers, can you guarantee this extra money you are asking for

from the council tax will go to front`line policing? All of the

focus is on front line policing but the front line can be the front

room, it is not officers on the street, yes, the chief constable is

responsible for getting the resources in the right place. What

other risks if you don't get this extra money, what would people Essex

the? If the extra money would pay for the equivalent of 55 extra

police officers, it would not just be officers but it would have to be

the service in some areas less good than it is now. They could be slower

response times, fewer crimes are attended. He will deliver a service

with what funds are available but we need to give him the most resources

we can afford. Nick Alston, speaking to me earlier.

And council tax bills are one of the subjects up for debate on this

weekend's Sunday Politics. You can see that on Sunday, at eleven

o'clock, here on BBC One. British Transport Police questioned

commuters in Essex today, exactly a week after a city trader was shot

and injured on his way to work. The incident happened early last Friday.

The victim, 44`year`old Robin Clark, was undergoing more surgery on his

wounds today at Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford.

5.30 this morning at Shenfield police once again asking commuters

for help. The attack on Robin Clark, last week ` they believe was

targeted, but who shot him and why remains unclear. It was exactly a

week ago at about ten to six in the morning, Robin Clark drove into the

car park here in Shenfield, parked and got out the car. He was

approached by a masked gun man who shot him, he fell to the ground.

This is the police's third appeal in a week. Speaking to commuters at the

station, and on the trains hoping to find people who know Mr Clark. Their

presence will highlight the fact that someone needs to come forward

to give information if they have anything. You feel more secure but,

it is scary. It is random. A shocking thing to happen at this

time in the morning in this area. It seems like it was an organised thing

rather than random. I don't feel unsafe.

Whilst Robin Clark remains in hospital awaiting more surgery, the

hunt for his attacker continues. Police say they've already spoken to

him at length, but they still need help and are urging anyone who knows

why he was shot to come forward. Two Norfolk MPs say the proposed

waste incinerator for King's Lynn should be abandoned because it isn't

financially viable. One hundred million pounds could be saved if

Norfolk County Council pulls out of the contract with Cory Wheelabrator

according to figures published this afternoon. MPs Elizabeth Truss and

Henry Bellingham claim the county would be paying far more.

We have looked at the cost of the Council proposals and it looks like

the county council will be spending over ?100 per tonne on waste when

deaf say the average is ?78. What that means is for the next 23 years,

Norfolk will be locked into a contract that could cost hundreds of

millions than Neal Turner said. Eric Pickles will decide on planning

grounds but he will be interested in the figures because the figures show

beyond any doubt there are cheaper alternatives out there.

Coming up, six Nations rugby fever grips Northampton. And cleans for

Mike leggings. `` a clean sweep for Mike. The Suffolk port of Lowestoft

received a major economic boost today. Which will strengthen its

reputation as a headquarters for the renewable energy industry. The

owners of substantial new wind farm announced they would be locating

their operations base there. The Galloper wind farm in the North Sea

is still in the development stage. But if it is built, it will join the

other vast wind farms off the Anglia coast generating power for the

national grid. As our business correspondent Richard Bond reports,

today's announcement could guarantee jobs in Lowestoft for 25 years.

The port of Lowestoft has had its share of knocks over the years. As

fishing has declined hopes of renewal have been pinned on offshore

wind. And today, inside the building put up to house green energy

companies, a boost for the town. The firm planning the region's sixth

offshore wind farm said it would base its operations in the port.

Lowestoft is the ideal location. For the construction period will be

creating of jobs as well as up to 60 jobs for the 25`year is of

operations. The ?1.3bn wind farm is called

Galloper. It would be 18 miles off Suffolk, next to an existing wind

farm, Greater Gabbard. When the wind farm revolution began ten years ago

there were hopes factories making the turbines, and other major

components, would be set up here. Instead, the region has specialised

in operations and maintenance ` managing the wind farms day to day,

keeping them in good nick. The operations base for the Scroby Sands

wind farm is in Yarmouth. Gunfleet Sands is operated from

Brightlingsea. Greater Gabbard from Lowestoft. Sheringham Shoal from

Wells. The proposed Dudgeon wind farm will be run from Yarmouth and

Galloper from Lowt. The Sheringham Shoal operations base near Wells

opened last year. It houses technicians and engineers. The

output of the field is monitored from a control room.

It is a significant boost, there are full`time jobs, the people are

highly skilled, well paid, this is a long`term opportunity on the premise

the lifetime expectancy is 25 years. Operations and maintenance are

great, but shouldn't this region be getting more out of offshore wind

than that? The government strategy states that

they tried to get 50% of content from the UK and over the lifetime it

will be the case. It's not certain Galloper will be built. One of its

investors is reviewing the project. But a final decision is expected

later this year, potentially putting Lowestoft at the heart of a rising

industry. The UK's biggest exhibition of Roman

artefacts is going on display this weekend, at Norwich castle. The

display consists of 160 pieces on loan from the British Museum.

Highlights include sculpture from the villas of the Emperors Tiberius

and Hadrian. There are coins from the famous Hoxne treasure items of

jewellery and children's clothing from Roman Egypt. Let's cross to

Norwich Castle. Yes, theres a big launch party going on here right

now.,Its quite a coup for the Museum.One of just six around the

country to play host to a pretty extraordinary collection. It's been

described as a Roman blockbuster and we've had a sneak preview.

It's been three years in the planning. And its taken almost a

month of painstaking work to put together. The result an exhibition

of the highest quality. Featuring 160 precious pieces from the British

Museum. The focus not just the Romans in Britain but their

influence across a sprawling empire one of the most powerful in

history.. Dr John Davies, chief curator at Norfolk Museums service,

is a specialist in Roman archaeology and coinag and tickled pink that all

this is on show outside London. `` coinage. We see small objects,

many brought in by metal detector users which show us about the

everyday workings of Norfolk but we have the bits we don't see in this

part of the Roman world, highly well preserved beautiful objects from

some of the really great buildings. Some of it was used in cunning ways

for propaganda purposes, iconic objects, the barbarian

representation captive from the East representing a defeated province in

the second century. We have a bust of the Emperor Also here marble

burial chests from Turkey. A bearded portrait and the detail is

absolutely stunning. We do not see that in Roman Britain. This is one

of my favourite items. It is a child's sock. You would think it was

mid `` made this week but it is 1700 years old. Look at the gap between

the toes to allow a sandal to be worn. That is a leather sandal found

in the same area. This strange concoction is a Willie hairnet. They

were found in Roman Egypt. `` Willie. And from Egypt again painted

on wooden panels so called mummy portraits. Faces looking at us from

the first and second century AD proud to call themselves Roman

citizens. I can tell you admission costs ?7 for adults, children aged

four to 16.4 pounds 90. It opens to the public at 10am tomorrow and runs

to April 27th. Amazing. The quality. The Romans did not play

rugby but they would have enjoyed this contest between England and

France. Yes, the six Nations opener tomorrow. The England squad

dominated by players from Northampton. Let's go to Northampton

now. Well, to this tavern in Northampton, a stones throw from

Franklins Gardens. So much to look forward to. It is transfer deadline

day. For Norwich fans, the future of one player was on the cards. Another

Premier League club has come in with another fee. Stay tuned to the radio

to find out what happens. Of course it is destabilising, he

would have been playing tomorrow. But has destabilised the whole ship,

no. I will find somebody else. We all know how much parents do for

young sports stars, Luther's mother took it one step further writing an

e`mail to his coach angry that her son was dropped from the Leeds

Academy. Fast forward and Luther has made the step up. He will be playing

for England against France tomorrow and the coach who she was critical

of then is now the England head coach, Stuart Lancaster. It has been

a roller`coaster few years. TECHNICAL PROBLEMS WITH SOUND

It is pubs like this when the action will be taking place. I have managed

to bump into two legends. I won three. None. How difficult is it to

beat the French? In Paris it is very difficult. If the French get a good

start at the weekend it can be difficult to beat them. They have

struggled recently but they have class players. You can't

underestimate them. It is quite an atmosphere in Paris. How will Luther

handle the occasion? It is difficult to say. Your first cap is special.

It is a moment to be savoured. The atmosphere is unbelievable. I

remember walking out and hearing the raw. He has to play as he has been

playing all season. He is one of the most improved players so he has to

do more of what he has been doing. Saints have been doing so well in

the premiership. How easy is it to take the domestic club form into the

international game? It is all about confidence. The guys are flying

high. I think they will be fine. The conference will carry this evening.

These are the moments you dream of. Yes, this is what it is all about.

Lancaster has been bowled with a selection. These guys are ready for

it. When you get the opportunity you have to take it. You are playing

with talent around you. You don't have to worry about other people.

The game is at 5pm on BBC One and tomorrow many games could be off in

the football league. Stay tuned. Apologies because not hear what

Luther was saying in the clip. We had stout `` sound issues. This time

last year, the East was shivering in one of the coldest winters for

years. It hasn't been so bad this year, but that hasn't dampened

enthusiasm for real fires. Sales of wood burning stoves, for example,

have soared to 175,000 a year. All that wood burning has increased

demand for chimney sweeps. The job of sweeping chimneys hasn't changed

since Victorian times ` until now. His name is Andy. He is a very handy

sweep to know. Andy has been a sweep for 25 years

and he loves the freedom of the job. You get around the country,

different places all the time, you see some really nice looking houses

and see how the other half live. It is never knowing what you will do.

Andy is a traditional sweep using rods and brushes. It has been that

way for a while, or there we do not send children up any more. This

child was three when he worked for his dad. Now, there is something

new. Rob a former sweep has invented a new power sweeping system.

It goes into the flu more easily. You just put the drill into it and

centrifugal force holds it. His company is a family affair. His

wife and daughter work in the firm with his sons and his son`in`law and

his 90 old mother`in`law opened a new training facility today which

has lots of fireplaces. This is the way forward. There is no

going back when people use this, it is revolutionary, it is chalk and

cheese. The technology is changing but it is

still a grubby job. And he doesn't mind, chimney sweeps are said to be

lucky and he feels lucky to have done the job for so long.

I have a three`year old, that is a job for her! The weather really

changed today. Yes, wet weather and you will have heard the Met office

have announced early statistics suggest it has been the wettest

January on record. You might be wondering about this region, look at

the map. You can see the white shading, that shows where we

recorded average rainfall or for some parts just below but as we go

further south and west, darker colours where we recorded 150% of

the average rainfall. Getting on the twice and we still have tonight

rainfall. Quite a lot of rain we have had and strong gusty wind

coming in on this weather front and over the last few hours since the

sun went down, some heavy downpours so expect a wet evening and through

the first part of the night, further heavy downpours and strong gusty

wind. The wind will ease later on when the rain clears eastwards. And

it introduces some quite cool air, where the rain clears eastwards. And

it introduces some quite cool air, whether rain clears and where we get

clear spells, we may have temperatures of freezing. Icy

patches around but that's in a sheltered spots. There will be a

breeze. The weekend is much improved, quite windy, some showers

around but also sunny spells and Sunday, a better day because the

wind will be lighter. We start tomorrow dry and bright, quite

windy, a fresh southerly breeze, blowing showers through and on the

southerly breeze many arrests will look dry, Chile with highs of seven

Celsius. `` chilly. Better on Sunday but the Monday this weather front on

its way, turning skies cloudier through Monday and bringing rain. It

will be an unsettled start to next week and the wind picking up again.

A bit of everything. That is all from us. Have a good weekend.

Goodbye.