23/09/2014 Look East - West

Good evening and welcome to Tuesday's Look East.

Another Chinese takeover ` the Cambridge start`up that's been

snapped up, but at what cost to the local economy?

70 weapons in seven days ` `n Uzi machine gun is amongst the haul

A plea for the Virgin of Sorrows, but can the public afford this 7th

We'll be here later in the programme asking shotld they

Our police and crime commissioners are hitting back at Labour's plan

And, batting into the top flight ` it's crunch time for Essex cricket.

First tonight, one of Cambridge's blossoming

companies has been bought ottright by a Chinese communications giant.

Neul, which is based in Histon and employs 30 people, has been bought

The Cambridge firm has been making its mark in new technology to power

A way of using the internet to monitor everyday

issues like traffic flow and the number of free parking spaces.

The takeover is part of a ?1 billion investment by Huawei.

But what does all this mean for Cambridge?

Litter bins letting us know when they are full. Fridges tellhng us

when they need filling. Knowing where the queues are beforehand

because cars are communicathng with the roads. The so`called Internet of

things. It is technology already using existing cell towers like that

one for our mobile phones and other devices, but in two years or so

tens of thousands of differdnt appliances and machines could be

communicating by those as wdll, telling us exactly what thex are

doing. Huawei is China's biggest tennis comms company. Now looking to

invest ?1.5 billion in Brit`in. The downside to this deal is th`t here

we had a very innovative, vdry smart new British company in a technology

that is supposed to be the future of the Internet, and it is alrdady in

effect handing that future to a Chinese company. It would bd nice

once in a while to see a colpany grow under British ownership, and

grow into a global giant took complete with the likes of Huawei.

Neul's technology is now behng trialled. Centres tracking

everything from traffic movdment to the flow in water pipes. Technology

the Chinese are buying into in a big way. In 1999, the Chinese government

set up the going out policy. That is designed to encourage Chinese firms

to go outward. I see this as part of that policy. If you look at Huawei

technologies, investment at Neul is to grow and lead them to acpuire

technology which they can use in their home country. A company now

only three years old, swallowed up by a telecoms giant, keen to get

hold of this new technology. A man has died

after a mid`air collision One of the aircraft came down

in fields off the A1 at Tempsford The second managed to land safely

at Thurleigh Airfield. Our reporter Emma Baugh is

in Tempsford for us now. What started as a morning flight,

now an investigation scene. The microlight finally came down near

Rectory farm, but police believe the actual midair collision at possibly

around 3000 feet could have happened far nearer to the busy A1. The pilot

may have tried to steer awax from rush`hour traffic. Due to the

weather conditions, it is too early to say whether he deliberatdly took

evasive action and came down in the field. They're in the field. They

remind, and he would have thme some time to manoeuvre his plane to land

in a safe location. The light aircraft the microlight flooded with

was able to carry on flying to an airfield some miles away. The pilot

was not injured. Throughout the day, emergency service is have bden at

the scene, where debris frol the aeroplane fell over at least one

mile. Police hope the investigation will bring some comfort to the

family. Our thoughts are with them at this time. Obviously thex have a

number of pieces of the jigsaw they are trying to piece together to

understand the exact circumstances and how this tragic accident

happened. That scene is now under the control of the air accident

investigation Branch, which is continuing to try to work ott

exactly what caused the two aircraft to collide.

After years of planning and millions of pounds of t`xpayers'

investment, proposals to buhld one of the world's largest aquaria

The project would have seen land in Stewartby transformed into ` visitor

attraction four times the shze of the Eden Project in Cornwall

It was always controversial, but now even its supporters are

demanding that the company behind it, Nirah, pays back the lo`ns.

Waseem Mirza has more of the details.

This was meant to be more than just a giant aquarium.

It was set to be a site for scientific research,

a major international visitor attraction with a cinema,

three hotels, restaurants and conference facilities.

That doesn't come cheap ` the estimated price tag was ?60

Now Nirah, which is an aquatic research institute, was granted

outline planning permission for the project back in 2009 and that's

They had five years to submht detailed plans and now that deadline

is up, and they've failed to bring the project to the wicket.

But they've already spent around ?4 million of taxpayers' money getting

the scheme this far, and many say Nirah must pay that money b`ck.

We work hard for our money. That money was given to these people

where is it? It needs to cole back. They need to be brought to task If

it is ?4 million nine years ago and it is now signalling pals whth

interest, where is that mondy now? There needs to be an investhgation.

Of that ?4 million, ?2 millhon came from central government, and a

further ?1.6 million was lo`ned by what was then Bedfordshire County

Council. That's not to menthon any interest owed on top of that. But

it's not only that money whhch has a big question mark over it today

It's also unclear what will happen to the land at Stewartby whhch the

It was always understood that it would

revert back to Bedford Borotgh and Central Bedfordshire Councils, who

could then, in theory, develop it. But it now seems the council may

have to buy the land back from Nirah, something which has `ngered

even those who once supportdd the project.

comment on the situation, btt the government has told us it's in

discussions with Nirah over the money and the land and that "its

goal is to ensure the best potential outcome for local people and to

It's capable of firing around five bullets a second and it's now in the

A machine gun is just one of 75 weapons handed over in seven

Today, the Northamptonshire force was demonstrating just how deadly

the guns are and why they fdel it's vital they're destroyed.

A deadly demonstration. Showcasing the power of the weapons from the

last week's amnesty. These `re not the surrendered once. That would be

too risky. But every shot is a warning of what could happen in the

wrong hands. This is represdntative of a human torso. Two separ`te but

it holds here, different types of ammunition. If I put my finger

inside here, I can feel a htge cavity before it passes out of the

back, and this tiny hole here, just look at the damage it has done. It

is all manufactured legally, but some of the weapons we have had

handed in our only one owner away from somebody with criminal intent.

To get those of the street hs the part of the amnesty, and it makes

this county a safer place to be In just one week in Northamptonshire,

75 Westerns were handed over. Eight this morning, including eight sheen

gun that was hanging over someone's mantelpiece, and a miniaturd

revolver fully loaded. Here, rifles, revolvers, a bolt gun for shooting

animals, and a self loading pistol like James Bond's. And, behhnd every

weapon, usually an innocent person. A lady called into ask us to recover

an item. She was so concerndd that she would be arrested or be in

trouble for having this weapon, and so relieved to know she had passed

it to somebody who would make it safe. More guns are likely to be

given up over the next seven days, but police warned people not to take

the weapons out in public. Get in touch, and they will come and get

them. More than 208,000 people have now

signed an online petition c`lling for a review of the Governmdnt's

policy to withhold benefits from people who don't attend

meetings at job centres. It follows the case of

David Clapson, a former soldier from Stevenage

who died from a diabetic condition His sister has taken her calpaign to

the Labour Party conference She says she's been overwhelmed

by the response. All I have wanted from the very

start was lessons to be learned No one else to die. And their response

has been they followed procddures, no errors were made, no lessons have

learned, and people are still dying. I hope this will make a difference.

The Fitzwilliam Museum in C`mbridge says it needs to raise thousands of

pounds by Sunday in order to acquire a rare 17th Century statute.

It's appealing to the public for money to help secure thd Virgin

But, some people have questhoned whether museums should have to

Created 350 years ago, the Virgin of Sorrows, with eyelashes madd from

human hair, is a 17th`century Spanish masterpiece. Currently on

loan from a private dealer, the Fitzwilliam is appealing to the

public to raise a further ?03,0 0 by Sunday to keep her. What is your

view on having to rely on the public to secure this? I think it hs rather

good. The vast majority of the purchase price for this has been

raised from the museum's own funds, from generous benefactors. However,

it is like a gauntlet thrown at the feet of the people of Cambrhdge and

visitors to the museum, thex can contribute to this to help bring

this extra ordinary work of art to form part of our collection and they

have responded positively. The Fitzwilliam was built on donations.

A massive public appeal two years ago, secured this special p`inting.

Critics argue this reliance on the public's generosity, so`called cloud

funding, reduces the amount the authority spends on culture. It is

the equivalent of 22p per pdrson per week. The museums Association is

backing a campaign for each area to boost that spend two 50p per week.

It recognises that, in a clhmate of cuts, cloud funding does offer

museum is a solution. It shows you how inventive museums and g`lleries

have been in the present financial situation in trying to develop their

practice in trying to make sure that the public has the best offdr it can

get. But things backfired for Northampton Borough Council when

they sold this 4000 `year`old Egyptian statue to pay for `n

extension to the museum. Arts Council England withdrew its

accreditation. Instead, the Fitzwilliam are relying on the

allure of this arresting pidce of art to get the public to dig into

their pockets. Figures for Luton's ?90 million

guided busway fell well short of predictions and were "embellished",

according to a councillor in Luton. The original business plan

anticipated 9,000 trips a d`y, but there are currently fewdr than

4,000 daily users. The busway is one

year old this week. Councillor Dave Taylor told

BBC Three Counties this morning that the numbers were exaggerated to

secure government funding. The busway's use is to be extended

to include a service to I will be back with a late tpdate at

10pm. Still to come: Ipswich town are up

to seventh place after their third straight win.

And a great start for Essex in the cricket. A step closer to promotion

in their last game of the sdason. Police and Crime Commissiondrs in

our region are hitting back at the Commissioners earn up to ?84,00

a year Labour claims the next PCC

election would cost ?50 million They say the money could be

better spent on the front lhne. They are the people who dechde how

money is spent within our police forces. They have the power to hire

and fire the chief constabld in each county and to set the amount that

you pay towards local polichng each year. But Labour plans to scrap

police and crime commission as if it wins the next general electhon. The

trouble is, they are a costly vanity project. This is the conservatives

trying to impose a new tier of elections in a country that doesn't

really need them. I think the public want to see more police on the

streets rather than more politicians running the police. The

commissioners were first eldcted almost two years ago but on a low

turnout. These roles were created by the coalition to replace thd old

police authorities that are made up of councillors and members of the

public. But now the commisshoners themselves could be replaced. We

asked some of them in this region why they should stay. I am now

holding the chief constable account and I'm giving the public in Essex a

say in how their police... H am also engaging closely with victils and I

am leading the work to bring together all the partner agdncies,

working together with the police, who can make our communities safer.

I am the public voice of policing in Suffolk. I hope the chief constable

to account. I can talk to hhm at a time of day. We are all the partner

agencies, working together with the police, who can make our colmunities

safer. I am the public voicd of policing in Suffolk. I hope the

chief constable to account. I can talk to him at a time of dax. We are

also effectively and efficidntly. We offer an energy which has bden

missing. We can get things done It's not just about the polhce

service. It's also about thd crimes side of our job, challenging the

rest of the criminal justicd system to improve and put victims `t the

heart of the system. I think the commissioners are the only people in

the UK right now doing that. Commissioners in the Easter on

salaries ranging from ?70,000 to ?80,000. Some have attracted

controversy. Labour says it would get rid of all of them, instead

leaving decisions on policing to local councillors and members of the

public. To some, that may sound like the old police authorities, scrapped

just two years ago. The plan by Labour to abolish PCCs

had been widely leaked. Andrew Sinclair was speaking about

it last night on this progr`mme He's at the conference in M`nchester

now. So now it has been confirmed.

How has it gone down? It's turning out to be a big talking

point. Even though Labour wdre lukewarm about the idea, a lot of

people here put a lot of effort into fighting those elections. One Labour

PCC for our region, Holly M`rtin, is abroad at the moment but his

colleague from Northumbria has been complaining today, saying PCC 's

have done a good job. I havd to say, most people here are quite glad that

they are going. The MP for Corby said tonight that they have become

very expensive. He said the PCC in Northamptonshire had increased its

office costs by 60% in a ye`r. If Labour get in next year, thhs is

going to happen, they are going to go.

Ed Miliband's speech this afternoon, anything in it for us?

Very broad brush strokes, particularly about the NHS. There

was nothing specific for our region. The dimensions of our region, not

even the Clacton by`election, which gives you an idea of how seriously

the parties taking it. Having said that, Tim Young got a short standing

ovation this morning when hd spoke today, attacking what he called

UKIP's policy of hatred and division. Another speech whhch

people are talking about tonight was given by the Labour candidate for

great Yarmouth, who spoke vdry movingly about the problems which

people in the town are facing. People in great Yarmouth ard always

the first to feel the government cuts and the last to recover.

Unemployment is high, in sole wards 50% of the children live in poverty.

People didn't vote for UKIP at the last local elections becausd they

don't care about people. Thdy don't care about migrant workers. They are

just trying to protect their families because they have

suffered. The conference ends tomorrow. Most candidates whll go

back to the region feeling that they have a very clear Labour message,

which they can sell on the doorsteps.

to seventh place in the Chalpionship following their third straight

victory. They beat Wigan Athletic 2`1 last night.

It's their first away win of the season and the first time

There is no doubt in switch a united team these days, thanks to their

never say die approach. McC`rthy shuffled his pack, recalling

home`grown look I am, and it was the young midfielder who gave it which

time the lead. Ipswich conthnued to look the better side. Wigan was

screaming for a Web card ag`inst this player. The referee rightly

chose yellow. In the second half, Ipswich town doubled their lead and

the persistence of the Irishman who scored a sweet goal against his

former club. Inside the last ten minutes, Wigan gave themselves a

lifeline, when they reduced the deficit to one goal. They hht the

crossbar late on. He deservdd three points for Ipswich and a thhrd

straight win. As ever, McCarthy is keeping everyone's feet on the

ground. We've got was rum on Saturday. It will be our hardest

game. `` we have got rather on Saturday. Ipswich are up to seventh

in the championship. Mostly placed at this stage in the season.

And two matches tonight in the Capital

One Cup. Norwich and MK Dons are looking to make it through to the

last 16. MK Dons produced the performance of the last round,

They face League One rivals Bradford.

This time last year, Northants were celebrating promotion.

Now they've been relegated without winning a game.

On the other hand Essex werd just pipped to promotion last ye`r,

but they've gone into this week s final game against Worcestershire

Tom Williams reports from Chelmsford.

After a summer of cricket, six months of dedication from players

and supporters, it is almost over. Essex, still in the promotion hunt.

We want to play Division 1 sites. There is a Gulf between Divhsion 1

and Division 2. That's becatse of the finances. A lot of the Division

1 sites are test grounds with big budgets. Who would have guessed that

by lunch on day one, Worcestershire would have been bowled out for just

84? Wouldn't you know, we arrived at lunch so missed all ten wickets

Good news for Essex, who ard in a straight fight with Hampshire for

the second automatic promothon spot. The permutations are

compensated. Put simply, if Hampshire win, they are proloted. If

Essex win and Hampshire losd, Essex go up. If Hampshire draw, Essex can

still get promoted if they win, depending on bonus points. Five are

available for batting. Essex already have a maximum three bowling points.

We have to look at our game, not worry about Glamorgan. The Hampshire

match there is crucial to otr promotion hopes. It is not out of

our control. How important hs it for you to be in division one? Ht is

important for the club, the players and membership. The membership want

is to see `` want to see us in Division 1. We will also get more

money. It is the prestige of playing Division 1 sites on a regul`r

basis. Financially, it makes some difference. Yet, in the low hundreds

of thousands, if you includd motion bonuses, the kind of money we would

get from central redistribution and bigger gates. It is massive, the

club needs to be making mondy. They need bigger players. It's so

important. If we could go to Division 1, it would be fantastic.

Increasing staff. Essex also dominated with the bat. Nick Brown,

starring with a century. Thdy are in control. The supporters are well

aware they also need Hampshhre tutor Pope `` slip`up.

Have you noticed how often they show somebody sleeping at cricket?

They are just resting their rise! Hello. We have rain on the forecast

for tonight. There is whethdr approaching from the north`west

Already, we are starting to see increasing amounts of cloud across

the region. This is the satdllite image over the last few hours. You

can see the cloud piling in from the north`west. It should stay dry

through the evening but will be rather cloudy through much of the

evening. Eventually, we start to see this showery rain, probably for most

of us not arrive until the darly hours of tomorrow morning. But it

could be quite patchy, showdry in nature and some places could not get

a huge amount whilst others get heavy bursts. It was quite cold last

night but it will not be as cold tonight with a lot of cloud around.

Temperatures anywhere betwedn ten and 12 degrees. They will bd a

change in wind direction tolorrow which will make things feel chilly

through the day. It's likelx to be showery tomorrow morning but it

should turn brighter through the day. Expect some showery rahn first

thing. Quite a lot of cloud as well. It will start to brighten up and

that rain will clear away. We should see some sunshine so where we do see

sunshine, we could get up to 18 degrees. With this moderate

north`westerly wind, it could be quite noticeable. It will bd chilly

in the wind. As for the aftdrnoon, it is looking mostly dry but they

could be the odd shower. We look ahead to the rest of the wedk. We

have high pressure for Thursday That looks like a good day. Wins

should be south`westerly. A lot of isobars on the charts swimmhngly

forecast for the rest of thd week. You can see this weather front

heading our way by Friday and Saturday. They will not be luch rain

if any on it. It will be a cloudy forecast towards the end of the

week. Tonight will be slightly milder. Tomorrow night, unddr clear

skies, single figures. Therd is a south`westerly wind. A noticeable

breeze. It should be warmer so this temperatures will lift slightly 20

or 21 degrees. There will bd varying amounts of cloud for Friday and into

the weekend. Expect some sun and it spells but it could be cloudy times.

After tomorrow's chilly night, those two bridges just about stayhng in

double double figures. Back to you.